Jakarta. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Friday acknowledged the crucial role Chinese investors and government agencies have played in advancing Indonesia’s infrastructure projects, particularly in the transportation sector.

Indonesia has attracted trillions of rupiah in investments from China’s private sector and government entities as part of President Joko Widodo’s push to accelerate the construction of toll roads, airports, seaports, and new railway systems.

The most prominent example of Chinese involvement is the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project, a joint effort under the KCIC consortium, the local acronym for  Indonesia-China High-Speed Train.

“We deeply appreciate the contributions made by Chinese investors to our key infrastructure projects,” Budi said during the Jakarta Globe Forum at the Mulia Hotel in Jakarta.

His remarks came in response to a question from an audience member, Anna from China, who mentioned her role in assisting Chinese companies establish operations in Indonesia. Anna asked Budi if the government was satisfied with the performance of Chinese companies and if there were any areas for improvement.

Budi highlighted the significant contributions Chinese investors have made to Indonesia’s national development, particularly in realizing the vision of a high-speed rail system, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

He added that plans are underway to extend the high-speed rail network to Surabaya, the capital of East Java.

Forum host Enggartiasto Lukita said Chinese investors are warmly welcomed in Indonesia and cited several major projects supported by substantial Chinese investments, including nickel mining and processing operations in Morowali.

“China is our friend, and its investors are always welcome to do business here,” said Enggartiasto, a former trade minister and the current executive chairman of B-Universe Media Holdings, the parent company of the Jakarta Globe.