Thaindian News

Jakarta, June 21 (IANS) Indonesia and India need to increase cooperation in various fields and Jakarta welcomes investment from New Delhi particularly in higher education which is of “world standard”, a top Indonesian official has said.

Indonesian Vice President Boediono said this to India’s Ambassador Gurjit Singh, according to a statement from the Indian embassy in Jakarta.

Singh emphasised the need for taking the India-Indonesia relations forward, and outlined a few ideas, and Boediono agreed with him. Boediono said the two countries need to increase cooperation in various fields.

Though trade between the two nations was important, investment was more fundamental, he said, and welcomed Indian investment in the country preferably in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The Indonesian vice president said there was potential for growth in Indonesia in supply and infrastructure, where India can join hands to get the benefit of the domestic market.

Boediono said India’s higher education sector is of “world standard” and to develop human resources in Indonesia, both countries may explore the possibility of student and faculty exchange programmes and joint establishment of higher education institutes.

Both countries also have traditional cultural links that should be further enhanced.

According to the Indian embassy, bilateral trade increased from $4.4 billion in 2005-06 to over $16 billion in 2010-11, making Indonesia a major trading partner for India in the ASEAN.

There are around 100,000 people of Indian origin in Indonesia, mostly concentrated in Greater Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya and Bandung regions.

Many Indian nationals work as engineers, consultants, chartered accountants and bankers in Indonesia. The Indian community is well regarded in Indonesia, and includes individuals holding senior positions in local and multinational companies.