Jokowi Presents Programs to Chinese Businessmen

TEMPO.CO, Beijing - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) presented his programs for the next five years before hundreds of Chinese businessmen at an Indonesia-China Cooperation Forum on Friday.

"This is our plan for the next five years. This year, our economy is expected to grow 5.7 percent, and it will further increase to reach above 7.0 percent in 2017," he said at the Great Hall of the People.

President Jokowi also explained that investment realization in Indonesia has been increasing, and with closer cooperation with China, it is expected to multiply.

On the occasion, Jokowi explained various infrastructure development projects that have a great potential for cooperation, including industrial zone, special economic zone, toll road, sea port, sea toll road, airport, railway, and power plant development projects.

"These are the opportunities open to Chinese investors and the Indonesian Government is ready to help, especially with permits, those interested to invest in our projects," he added.

The Indonesian Government, he pointed out, plans to develop 15 industrial zones by 2019, including 13 natural resources processing industries that will come up outside Java.

He cited as an example the Sei Mangkei special economic zone in North Sumatra, which is currently being developed into a center of palm oil, rubber, and fertilizer industries, logistics, and tourism area.

The Bitung special economic zone in North Sulawesi, meanwhile, is being developed as fisheries, coconut, and herbal medicines industries and logistics center, he explained.

In Papua, Jokowi noted, the government will push for the development of four special economic zones and supporting infrastructures with specific focuses.

The Merauke special economic zone is to be developed for the agricultural sector, which will be integrated with a processing industry; the Sorong economic zone for the maritime sector integrated with a processing industry; the Teluk Bintuni zone for the petrochemical sector and derivatives industries; and the Raja Ampat zone for the tourism industry, he elaborated.

"In response to frequent complaints from investors, we set up a national one-stop service facility in Jakarta in January to speed up licensing processes for would-be investors. We hope licensing services will now become faster," he remarked.

The Indonesian head of state, accompanied by First Lady Iriana and several cabinet members, arrived in Beijing on Wednesday evening, after concluding his Japan tour that commenced on March 22.

ANTARA NEWS