Susi Calls on Japan to Seize Investment Opportunity in Indonesia
14 April 2017 15:50 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Tokyo - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has called on Japanese investors to move faster and be involved in project development opportunities in Indonesia.
Susi guaranteed that the business climate in Indonesia and the legal certainty in the maritime affairs and fisheries sectors are conducive to foreign investments.
“We were criticized for poor legal certainty. Now, we are very firm,” Susi said after meeting with Japan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, April 14, 2017.
Susi was welcomed by Japan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Shigeo Chigeo. Also attending the meeting were CEOs of Sumitomo Corp., Marubeni Corp., Mitsubishi Corp., Hitachi Ltd., and IHI Corp.
Susi explained that Indonesia is planning to develop 12 outer islands. Five of the islands, namely Sabang, Morotai, Natuna, Biak, and Saumlaki are to be developed with Japan. Another island is located in the south of Papua.
Susi added that Indonesia has a production capacity of approximately 4 million tons per year in the maritime and fishery sector. Therefore, Susi invited Japanese companies to invest in the fishery downstream industries, such as processing, freezing and manufacturing sectors. Susi also promised to provide incentives for production facilities.
Susi added that Indonesia is a lucrative market with its huge population, so that fish products domestically processed can be sold in Indonesia. As a comparison, Indonesia spends at least USD 8 billion per year for beef imports.
“Indonesian people pay US$10 per kilogram [of beef]. This can be substituted with fish products,” Susi said.
RETNO SULISTYOWATI (TOKYO)