Hatoyama Draws Japanese Investors' Attention to Indonesia

Nusa Dua (Antara Bali) - Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama Yasuo called on investors in his country to turn to Indonesia as an ideal place for investment.

"Take Indonesia into consideration. Moreover, Japanese investment has always been welcomed  here according to the recorded history of the two countries' relationships. Indonesia has always been friendly to Japan," he told newsmen here on Thursday.

The Japanese leader and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono are co-chairmen of the second Bali Democracy Forum currently underway here, attended by 36 country  representatives and international observers.

Four heads of government are attending the conference, namely Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama and President Yudhoyono.

Democratization and development in Myanmar, China, North Korea  and Indonesia have been Japan's special interest for study in the Bali Democracy Forum. China is said to have responsibility in view of its power in promoting democracy and human rights and others as well as making North Korea follow democratic trend in the world.

He said Japanese investment in Indonesia continued to rise and would rise higher, driven by the Indonesian government's seriousness in putting its bureaucracy in order, providing incentives and in the field of legislation relating to them.

Indonesia and Japan have made an Economic Partnership Agreement in which Japan has been committed to supporting various efforts aimed at promoting the two countries' economies.

President Yudhoyono in a press conference at the forum said "at least Rp 2,000 trillion worth of investment will  be needed a year to make the country's economy  grow up to seven percent."

Earlier, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said one of the important projects for Japan and Indonesia was the Asahan project that had run for 30 years. "We ask private investors to invest again because the cooperation will expire in 2012," he said.

Under the framework of the second Bali Democracy Forum, Japan plans to draft cooperation projects in connection with the Economic Partnership Agreement and the Overseas  Development Agency.

The projects cover 20 percent power projects, 20 percent elevated roads in Jakarta and 600 schools across the country.(*)