US 'green' firms visiting Indonesia to look for business opportunities
Wednesday, May 26 2010 - 02:19 AM WIB
Hatta made the statement as quoted by The Jakarta Post on the sideline of a meeting with US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and representatives of around 40 US companies.
?The American companies expressed their willingness to invest in geothermal development in Indonesia. They also expressed interest in investing in small power plants needed on our outer islands,? Hatta said.
The American companies also said that they were looking forward to cooperating with Indonesia in developing technologies for energy efficiency he added.
?All of these will be reported when President Barrack Obama visits Indonesia this June. A joint comprehensive agreement will be signed during the visit,? Hatta said.
Earlier Tuesday, Locke delivered a speech to US businessmen operating in Indonesia: In his speech, Locke encouraged them to get involved in the development of renewable energy as well as energy efficiency efforts in Indonesia.
?We need to help the people of Indonesia achieve their dream by supplying them with energy, clean alternate energy, and also pursuing energy efficiency so the energy that is produced can go a lot further and serve the needs of many more people;? he said.
Chairman of the Indonesian Coordinating Investment Board (BKPM) Gita Wirjawan said Indonesia and the US recently signed the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to increase investments. ?Under the deal, the US government will provide insurance and financing for equity and debts for US companies investing in Indonesia. Gary Locke said the agreement would open more opportunities for US companies to invest in Indonesia,? Gita said. (*)