Tokyo (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla and the head of Sumitomo-Mitsui Banking Cooperation (SMBC), a Japanese multinational banking and financial services company, highlighted investments in infrastructure sector during a discussion at the Imperial Tokyo Hotel here on Monday.

The presidents investment envoy to Japan, Rahmat Gobel, said that a further meeting will be set and attended by President Joko Widodo and three chairmen of the company, including the Chief Executive Officer Makoto Takashima, the International Banking Deputy for Asia Region Shosuke Mori, and the General Manager of Business Development Department Kimoto.

"I have not yet confirmed the information, but the leaders will talk on the fast train project en route Jakarta-Surabaya," Gobel noted.

Apart from financing the development of ports and Indonesias private businesses, the company has invested in several infrastructure projects, including the construction of Mass Rapid Transportation (MRT) in Jakarta.

During the meeting, the vice president was assisted by the Ambassador of Indonesia to Japan Arifin Tasrif, the former trade minister Muhammad Lutfi, the VPs head of secretariat Mohammad Oemar, the special staff of economy and finance Wijayanto, head of VPs special team, a businessman Sofyan Wanadi, and the envoy Gobel.

Following the meeting, Kalla will attend an interview session with Nikkei Asian Review magazine and Nikkei CNBC television station.

According to the Investment Coordination Boards (BKPM) record, Japan ranked as the countrys second largest foreign investor, with $US 4.5 billion investment in 2016.

Wanadi also stated that Indonesia and Japan are now assessing the high-speed rail project en route from Jakarta to Surabaya.

"We hope everything will be completed in accordance to the plan," Wanadi remarked at the Vice Presidents Office in Jakarta.

Earlier in the day, Kalla attended the opening of the 23rd International Conference on The Future of Asia at the Tokyo Imperial Hotel, Japan, on Monday.

Opened by the Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, the conference was held under the theme "Globalism at a crossroads - Asias next move."

"We welcome and thank all leaders of Asian countries who attend the forum to discuss the future of Asia amid the current trend of anti-globalization," the minister stated in his keynote speech.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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