A delegation of 174 businessmen from China has met Indonesian counterparts recently to discuss Indonesia's potential for investment and business cooperation, local press said Friday.

The delegation, the biggest in number from China so far, included representatives from five sectors: Mining and energy; small to medium scale enterprises; agricultural and chemicals; infrastructure and automotive and electronics.

Industry Minister Fahmi Idris, who officiated the Thursday gathering, said Indonesia has the biggest market opportunity in Southeast Asia and offers many opportunities for investment in infrastructure projects.

An Indonesia-China task force has been set up comprising officials from the Industry Ministry, the Trade Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and local governmental agencies, reported major newspaper The Jakarta Post.

One function of the task force will be to facilitate investors in acquiring investment permits in Indonesia.

Indonesia's Ambassador to China, Sudrajat, said on the occasion Chinese investors from each sector would learn about the business climate in Indonesia from Indonesian businessmen and government officials.

He said Indonesia could expect between 80 billion and 200 billion US dollars in investments from China within the next five to 10 years.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2008)