Google would target small and medium businesses (UKM) in Indonesia which number millions.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Google executive Eric Schmidt said he was optimistic Google would invest in Indonesia.

"I am optimistic," he said after meeting with Vice President Boediono here on Friday.

He said Indonesia has strong economic growth and potentials to continue to grow strong in the future. Meanwhile the growth of internet users in the country continued to increase in line with the strong penetration of cellphone, he said.

He said as an archipelagic country Indonesia needs connectivity and internet is one of the important means of building the connectivity.

He said Google would target small and medium businesses (UKM) in Indonesia which number millions.

"When we enter into a country we have a program for small and medium businesses. We have marketing and education programs, seminars. There are 50 million small businesses in Indonesia. I do not know it is mere numeric. They will become a growth engine for future economy," he said.

However he declined to tell when Google would really invest. He said he is still negotiating with the government especially the ministry of communications and information.

"We do not want to give a dateline as we are still discussing it with the government," he said.

Schmidt said Vice President Boediono had expressed positive views during the meeting towards Google`s wish to invest in the country.

Vice president`s spokesman Yopie Hidayat said during the meeting Google wished to invest by developing cooperation platform with small and medium industries.

"For Google this is important for advertising, marketing. This will be like in China, providing a platform and connect them with buyers abroad. Now he is still discussing with the minister of information and communication. They wish to sign a memorandum of understanding with the government of Indonesia for building a basis for opening a business," he said.

He said Google hoped the investment could be implemented in 2012.

Yopie said Vice President Boediono responded positively to the plan. He said the vice president wished Indonesia could create a better system in the future when internet service would play a very important role in the community development socially, culturally, politically and economically.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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