Susilo hopes for more Australian investment
Susilo hopes for more Australian investment
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Sydney
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono concluded his three-day state
visit to Australia on Tuesday by holding a number of discussions
with local prominent business leaders in an attempt to lure more
Australian investment into Indonesia.
The meeting was staged amid a plan by a number of Australian
companies to invest some A$2 billion (US$1.8 billion) in
Indonesia this year.
During a discussion with five Australian companies and one
U.S.-based consulting firm, Susilo underscored the government's
seriousness in addressing a number of business obstacles
encountered by foreign companies in the country.
The companies are BHP Billiton Limited, ANZ Banking Group,
Orica Limited, Futuris Corp, Newmont Australia and
PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
"I have heard their complaints, as well as conveyed my pledge
once again to address investment problems that they have
encountered in Indonesia as soon as possible. Their complaints
are our utmost priority," Susilo told a press briefing after the
meeting.
"I don't only give them my word but real action. We will
accommodate the needs of the Australian business community,
especially when the two countries have sealed a landmark legal
frame for future cooperation," he said.
Susilo reiterated that most of the companies' complaints were
common ones, such as corruption, decentralization, labor
regulations and weak bureaucracy.
Prior to the meeting, Coordinating Minister for the Economy
Aburizal Bakrie said some of the six companies needed to meet the
President because they intended on investing some A$2 billion in
Indonesia soon.
"The meeting was held to ensure that Indonesia is committed to
addressing protracted problems that have undermined investor
confidence in the country. The businessmen want Susilo to
directly hear their problems in Indonesia," he said.
Aside from a fairly successful meeting with the Australian
private sector, Susilo's visit was an important hallmark for both
countries to seriously explore the possibility of sealing a free-
trade agreement (FTA) in the near future, as well as forming the
so-termed Greater East Asian economic pact.
"The target of my visit, in (terms of) the economic sector is
to seal key bilateral cooperation and help lure investment from
the Australian private sector. The outcome has been very
productive and we expect more developments soon," said Susilo.
He said that although there were no serious talks between both
countries on the FTA issue, ministers of the two countries agreed
to conduct research on the FTA.
"There has been no formal talk between me and Australian Prime
Minister John Howard on the FTA issue, but the direction of our
economic cooperation is toward such an agreement," he said.
According to Minister of Trade Mari E. Pangestu, the two
countries are now holding back on the agreement while considering
all sides of it.
She said the recent agreement on Comprehensive Partnership
between the two countries would ease the process toward the trade
agreement.
"We are optimistic that such an agreement will be signed by
the two countries, after we agreed to make our relationship
closer and stronger," she added.
Susilo will fly to New Zealand on Wednesday to forge more
agreements on the economy, politics and education.