Finance Minister, US Ambassador Discuss Investment

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert O Blake has visited Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro to discuss development of the country's manufacturing sector.

The US envoy recommended acceleration of development of the infrastructure sector to boost investment in the manufacturing sector, Bambang said after the meeting here on Wednesday.

"They suggested development of the manufacturing sector not only in Jakarta but also in various other areas," he said.

The US ambassador suggested that more U.S. investors would be encouraged to do business in the country if infrastructure is adequately available, he said.

 "They want infrastructure  to be built first to cut logistic cost, which they said too high in the country," he said.  
 Earlier, the minister received a call from Australian ambassador discussing similar issues.

British  and Japanese ambassadors are also scheduled to call on the minister.
The investment sector is one of the major economic growth drivers expected by the government in 2015.

President Joko Widodo has pledged simplification of licensing procedure for foreign investors.

Meanwhile, the government has cut subsidies on consumptive sector to be appropriated for productive sector to give a fiscal space of Rp110 trillion-Rp140 trillion partly to be used for infrastructure development.

Sea toll road project is one of the infrastructure projects to be accelerated to cut logistic cost.

Sea toll road project will include revitalization of old ports and development of new ports and procurement of new ships to bring the eastern and western regions of the country closer. (WDY)