The group led by Kazuhisa Matsui of JAC Business Centre met with leaders of the North Sumatra branch of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).
"They want more information from Kadin and hope that Kadin members agree to become their partners in doing business in North Sumatra," Tohar Soehartono, deputy chairman of the North Sumatra branch of Kadin said.
The Japanese become more interested in venturing in North Sumatra after seeing Chinese and Taiwanese companies are aggressive in expanding operations in that region, Tohar said.
The Japanese acknowledged that they have been a little late in seeing the potential business opportunities in North Sumatra, he said.
However, the Japanese companies believed there are still wide areas not yet touched by foreign investors in the province.
After PT.Indonesia Asahan Aluminium, an aluminum smelter, in which the contract of Japanese investors will expire this year, Japan has no significant investment in North Sumatra.
The group especially wants to invest in the energy sector, such as power generating projects, Tohar said.
He said Kadin has given the Japanese companies information about opportunities in business areas in North Sumatra .
He said Kadin welcome plans by the Japanese companies to look for local partners .
"Kadin hopes that both the central government and the provincial administrations would facilitate the Japanese companies in seeking business license," he said.
Chairman of the investment and business promotion committee of North Sumatra Kadin Suwanto said the Japanese investors have been offered to invest in hydro power generating projects, and factory machine industry and in sectors in partnership with small and medium enterprises.
Suwanto, Kadin is helping collect data needed by the Japanese investors to be studied before they come again with more concrete plan. (ASG/A014)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
