"Probably, everyone knows that we are facing stiff competition from China to win the project," Japanese Prime Minister`s Advisor Izumu Hiroto said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Japanese government is lobbying Indonesian President Joko Widodo over the planned construction of Indonesias Jakarta-Bandung fast train project.

Japanese Prime Ministers Advisor Izumu Hiroto met President Widodo at the presidential office on Wednesday to discuss the project.

"Probably, everyone knows that we are facing stiff competition from China to win the project," Hiroto noted after meeting the head of state.

He said that Wednesdays meeting was the second of its kind after the first one held in July 2015.

Hiroto stated that during the meeting, his side handed over a letter from the Japanese prime minister.

"I brought a letter from the Japanese prime minister to hand over to the president," he remarked.

The first issue we discussed was cooperation in the maritime sector, including a maritime forum and promotion to develop Indonesias eastern region.

The second issue discussed was regarding the global currency instability. Through cooperation with Indonesia, bilateral trade between both nations could be increased, he emphasized.

Hiroto revealed that the third topic discussed during the meeting was the fast train project where Japan is facing tough competition from China.

"I informed the president that Japan is willing to assist Indonesia. The fast train project will be managed by Indonesia itself and will benefit its people," the Japanese prime ministers advisor stated.

Japan is aware that Indonesia is now in the phase of assessing the two proposals submitted by China and Japan. The proposals are being evaluated by a team of independent consultants before a decision would be made on the winner of the project.

"The president said that the independent consultants are assessing the proposals, and an appraiser team will report to him. The president will decide after receiving the report from the appraiser team," Hiroto added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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