TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo attended the Indonesia-Korea Business and Investment Forum on the sideline of his state visit to South Korea, Monday, September 10.

In his speech, Jokowi said Korea and Indonesia is a longtime friend and many Korean companies operated the business in Indonesia. “Korean companies operate in Indonesia for many years and employ 900,000 workers,” he said.

Jokowi said South Korea is the third largest investor in Indonesia, in the basic industry sector such as steel and iron, petrochemical, and aluminum.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) head Rosan Perkasa Roeslani said as many as 104 entrepreneurs joined the forum and that proved the good ties of trade and investment between both countries.

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Rosan said there are many trade and investment opportunities to be further explored between Indonesia and South Korea. “We, Indonesia, is open for possible investment in the country,” he added.

Ronan’s counterpart Yongman Park seconded the statement. He mentioned there are many investment opportunities in Indonesia and so the closer partnership is required.

Yongman expected the visit of Jokowi to South Korea could tighten the relationship of both countries. He also called on Korean entrepreneurs to contribute in developing Indonesia that was currently focus on the infrastructure development.

In the Indonesia-Korea Business and Investment Forum, Jokowi was accompanied by several ministers of Working Cabinet namely Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, head of BKPM (capital investment coordinating agency) Thomas Lembong, head of Creative Agency Triawan Munaf, cabinet secretary Pramono Anung, ambassador Umar Hadi, and Kadin head Rosan Perkasa Roeslani.

ANTARA