Indonesia is seeking Vietnamese investment, especially in the fishing and seafood processing sectors in which it has great potential.
At the Vietnam–Indonesia Business Meeting held in HCM City on June 22 by the Indonesian Consulate General, Indonesian and Vietnamese delegates said Indonesia's waters had huge fish stocks.
The country, made up of more than 13,000 islands and with a large demand for fishing and other vessels, was also looking for investment from Vietnamese firms in ports, shipping, and shipbuilding.
Besides, the mining and oil exploration industries also offered much promise.
The meeting was chaired by Indonesian Ambassador Mayerfas, who took charge just a few months ago and was visiting HCM City for the first time.
Bambang Tarsanto, the Indonesian Consul General in HCM City, said: "The basis of good co-operation between two countries is the need to complement one another, therefore we need to widen our businesses sectors to improve the prosperity of our people."
Mohamach Abdoula, an Indonesian businessman with interests in fisheries and agriculture, said his country wants Vietnamese investment but large fishing enterprises have so far ignored Indonesia.
Only some small Vietnamese fishing firms wants to invest, he added.
Tarsanto said Vietnam and Indonesia have targeted trade of US$5 billion before 2015.
The Indonesian diplomats said ties have been moving to a higher level after the two nations signed a declaration for a framework of friendly and comprehensive partnership in 2003.
With a large and affluent population and abundant natural resources, Indonesia is a promising market as well as investment destination for Vietnam, Tarsanto said.
Indonesia, which achieved 6.3 percent economic growth last year, has a GDP of around US$1 trillion and per capita income of US$3,400.
VNS/VOV
Vietnamese
