RI, Thailand agree to promote investment
RI, Thailand agree to promote investment
Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta
The fifth meeting of the joint commission on economic and
technical cooperation between the Republic of Indonesia and the
Kingdom of Thailand has concluded, with mutual agreement to
promote closer bilateral relations, and satisfaction at the
increase of investment flows between the two countries.
Speaking at a joint press conference held after signing a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) on economic and technical
cooperation with Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Surakiart
Sathirathai on Friday evening, Indonesian Minister of Foreign
Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said the meeting had also agreed to
accelerate the establishment of a subcommittee on investment.
The subcommittee, he said, would serve as a forum for the
exchange of information between related institutions in both
Thailand and Indonesia, in a bid to encourage direct investment
in both countries.
"The meeting also agreed to expedite the process of the
conclusion of the MOU on cooperation on investment promotion
activities between the offices of the Board of Investment (BOI)
of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Investment Coordinating Board
(BKPM) of the Republic of Indonesia," Hassan said.
The two delegations, according to Hassan, also appreciated the
forthcoming establishment of the Thai-Indonesian Business Council
in Bangkok on May 27 and expressed confidence that the council
would become the forum for the private sector of both countries
to increase its interaction and cooperation in trade, investment,
industry and banking.
The same appreciation was also addressed by delegations of the
two countries to the trade agreement between Indonesia and
Thailand, to be signed during the planned visit of President
Megawati Soekarnoputri in August.
"Furthermore, both sides agreed to expedite the conclusion of
agreements on maritime and air transportation by August of the
same year," Hassan said.
Both Indonesia and Thailand, according to Hassan, also
expressed appreciation on the positive development in Thai-
Indonesian fisheries cooperation, but Thailand further proposed
that Indonesia provide an operating manual for fishing in the
Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone.
The two countries also expressed delight at progress in
educational cooperation, cultural exchange activities and tourism
cooperation between the two countries. Indonesia, in particular,
took note of Thailand's proposal to put emphasis on five areas of
cooperation: rubber and wood, halal food, palm oil, tourism and
energy.
Speaking at the same media conference, Thai foreign minister
Surakiart expressed hope that all the agreed commitment for
cooperation in various fields between Indonesia and Thailand
would materialize as soon as possible.
He said that cooperation between both countries would become a
model for the country's future trade cooperation and might also
be extended to other neighboring countries, such as Malaysia.
The sixth meeting of the joint commission would be held in
Thailand at a date to be agreed later by both countries. Both
also agreed to include issues relating to political and security
cooperation at the sixth meeting.