Indonesia seeks investment in mining, sea foods

Indonesia wants increased flow of investment from India in sectors like infrastructure, mining, agriculture, wood industry, sea food products to reach the targeted figure of $ 45 billion bilateral trade by 2015.

“From the $ 45 billion target of bilateral trade, I hope a part could come from Odisha. There are opportunities for investment in sectors like mining, infrastructure, crude palm oil, education, agriculture, sea products”, said Andi M. Ghalib, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in an interaction with the members of Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI), an apex body of industry representatives in the state.

He said, “Odisha is an important state for us and we want to explore the possibility of joining and walking together”.

 

The trade between the two countries had reached $15 billion by February this year. To achieve the target of bilateral trade, India and Indonesia have signed 35 MoUs including 18 business pacts.

The envoy also invited the state industry bodies to the island country to attend the 27th Indonesia Trade Expo in October for exploring the investment opportunities.

Accepting the request of the Indonesian ambassador, Ramesh Mohapatra, President, UCCI, said the chamber will send a 15-20 member delegation to Indonesia. Last year, about 150 Indian companies had attended the trade expo.

Asked on Indonesia’s plan to curb coal exports through introduction of an export tax, he said, “We want the minerals to be processed within the country”.

Son Kuswadi, Education Attache of Indonesia said, “We would like to collaborate with the Utkal University for students and faculty exchange programmes and training for Indonesian teachers”.

Kuswadi is also likely to meet the vice chancellor of Utkal University.

The Indonesian envoy will meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday.