REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- An Indonesian official has praised the quality of Taiwanese electronic products, describing them as probably comparable to those made in Japan, at least in the Asian region.
Speaking in a recent interview with CNA, Edy Putra Irawady, deputy minister of Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, noted that Taiwanese manufacturers tailor their products for the needs of different markets and said that the competitiveness of its products outperforms neighboring countries, including China, Hong Kong and South Korea.
Since the ASEAN Economic Community started to operate at the end of 2015, more and more companies have been seeking out trade and investment opportunities in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes 10 countries and has a population of 625 million.
Besides praising Taiwan's electronic products, Edy also expressed hope for further cooperation with Taiwan's shipbuilding and container vessel management industries.
Indonesia is the largest island country in the world and intends to become a great merchant marine power, thus needs more ships and cooperation with international partners, Edy said in the interview.
In response to CNA questions regarding Taiwanese President-elect Tsai Ing-wen's proposal to expand the presence of Kaohsiung's shipbuilding industry in the Southeast Asian market, Edy said Indonesia must cooperate with Taiwan in this area.
Kaohsiung's shipping industry can consider not only investing in Indonesia to build boats, but the two countries can also work together in container-ship building and the maintenance of Indonesian ships, Edy added.
Edy's words echoed to some extent an interview in 2014 in which Indonesian President Joko Widodo praised Taiwan for its strong and excellent manufacturing industry, as well as its good management and investment talent.
Widodo invited Taiwanese businesspeople to visit Indonesia and invest in the Southeast Asian country, emphasizing that Indonesia and Taiwan should maintain their cooperation and that he expects Taiwan to increase its investment in Indonesia.
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