TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japanese businessmen joined in the Kansai Economic Federation (Kenkeiren) is committed to facilitate the development of Japanese investment in Indonesia's shipping sector.

The agreement was raised in a meeting between the Kenkeiren delegates and Indonesia's Investment Coordinating Board chief Franky Sibarani during the latter's visit to Osaka.

"The Kenkeiren is ready to facilitate BKPM's meeting with the Kansai region's shipping and electronics industries. They are also ready to bring the two industries from their territory to invest in Indonesia." Franky said in a press statement yesterday.

According to Franky, BKPM seeks to take advantage of the Kenkeiren's strategic business federation. Kenkeiren has about 1,300 members consisting of companies, educational institutions, and others entities.

During his visit to Osaka yesterday, the BKPM nabbed US$640 million worth of investment commitments from Japan's steel industry (US$200 million), chemical industry (US$300 million), industrial estates and property (US$100 million, as well as the shipping industry (US$40 million).

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) estimates the potential of the state's sea transportation business at US$20 billion. The figure does not include the economic potential of Indonesia's marine sector that reaches US$71 billion.

ADITYA BUDIMAN