REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe has praised investment atmosphere in Indonesia which he considered as having been more conducive in the past few years.

At a meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at Hotel Diamond in Manila, the Philippines on Sunday Prime Minister Shinzo Abe specifically praised the leadership of President Jokowi that has been able to improve investment climate in the country.

"Thank you under your leadership the investment climate in Indonesia has improved very significantly," he said as reported by deputy for protocol, press and media of the presidential secretariat, Bey Machmudin, in a written statement received here that day.

The two leaders held a bilateral meeting also in conjunction with preparations ahead of the 60th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.

On the occasion President Jokowi expressed wish for significant progress in the infrastructure cooperation ahead of the anniversary.

"This will be a monumental gift for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries," he said.

On investment cooperation President Jokowi expressed appreciation to increased Japanese investment in the country, adding that "it almost reached 90 percent in 2016."

President Jokowi said that investment in Indonesia has been far better. Indonesia's index of ease of doing business has also jumped from the 114th rank in 2015 to 72nd in 2017. He said Indonesia has also enjoyed investment grade status from three international ranking institutes.

"With the improving condition I hope Japanese investment in 2017 will surpass that of last year," he said.

Before the meeting Indonesia's foreign minister Retno Marsudi told newsmen that logo for the anniversary commemoration would be launched in the meeting.

"Next year would be very important for Indonesia and Japan as we will mark the 60th anniversary in our diplomatic relations," she said.

At the meeting President Jokowi was accompanied by coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs Wiranto, coordinating minister for economic affairs Darmin Nasution, coordinating minister for human development and culture Puan Maharani, minister Retno Marsudi, cabinet secretary Pramono Anung, trade minister Enggartiasto Lukito, head of Capital Investment Coordinating Board Thomas Lembong and Indonesian ambassador to the Philippines Johny Lumintang.

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