Indonesia to Attend Investment Conference in Riyadh, Says: Investment Chief

Jakarta, MINA — Indonesia will attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Conference to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from Oct 23 to 25, despite the case of senior Saudi Arabian journalist Khashoggi,Antara News reporteed, citing head of Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Thomas Lembong..

“I confirm that I will go there to attend the FII Conference on Tuesday (Oct 23) and Wednesday (Oct 24). I think it is correct and appropriate for me to represent the Indonesian government, unless there are other directives from the president,” he stated in an interview here on Thursday.

He revealed that Indonesia would attend the FII Conference and he would represent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to express concern over the case of Khashoggi.

Khashoggi, who is a US citizen and columnist of Washington Post, was reported to have gone missing on Oct 2 after entering the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul. Turkey believes Khashoggi had been killed and his body had been moved.

The incident has caused concern for officials from Western countries. International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde has even canceled her planned visit to the Middle East, including attending the FII conference in Riyadh.

Lembong stated that although it would not be the vice president or coordinating minister for economy who would attend the meeting, his presence would be appropriate enough to represent the Indonesian government.

“In the Indonesian culture, we even approach and intensify dialog with countries in trouble, in order to stay away from protests,” he added.

He explained that in line with the directives of the president, the BKPM would seek to offer investment opportunities in Indonesia, especially in the tourism and life style sectors, at the conference.

He believed Indonesia has superiority in the sectors that could attract investors, especially from the Middle Eastern countries. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA