'Indian firms can help build Indonesian infrastructure'

Jakarta, Aug 31 (IANS) Indian firms can help build Indonesian infrastructure, said Indian envoy Gurjit Singh as a major conference here discussed the ways and means to associate Indian companies with the development of Indonesian infrastructure.

Indian ambassador to Indonesia Gurjit Singh spoke about infrastructure opportunities in India, the efforts made by the government of India to enhance infrastructure development, the development of PPP models and the focus on new and renewable sources of energy, a press communique said.

He was speaking at a special plenary session of "Indonesia International Infrastructure Conference & Exhibition 2012" -- a major conference on the development of Indonesian infrastructure -- that was inaugurated by Indonesian President Yudhoyono Aug 28.

Sharing India's experience in developing infrastructure, the panel discussion focused on finding ways and means of associating Indian companies with the development of Indonesian infrastructure.

It was also mentioned that greater B2B collaboration between Indian and Indonesian companies needs to be focused upon.

The three-day event laid emphasis on the Indonesian Government Master Plan for the acceleration and expansion of economic development which focuses on development projects of about $400 billion.

The main focus was on infrastructure development across various Indonesian islands.