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Security concerns remain as one of the primary reasons behind Indonesian businesspeople's decision to avoid investment opportunities in Afghanistan, Vice President Jusuf Kalla has said.

Very few businessmen are interested in investing in areas with high security issues, said Kalla as quoted by Antara after meeting with Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in Jakarta on Thursday.

Kalla made the statement in response to the Afghanistan governments call for Indonesia to invest in the Central Asian country. They [Afghanistan delegation members] are scheduled to meet with our businessmen. It is likely there will be such [investment] offers in the meeting, but its better to start it with trade cooperation [talks] first, he said.

After having accepted Kallas honorary visit, President Ghani is scheduled to open an Indonesia-Afghanistan business meeting in Jakarta. Dozens of Afghanistan business delegates, Trade Minister Airlangga Hartarto and Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) officials will attend the meeting.

The Afghanistan government will reportedly offer investment opportunities in oil and gas, copper mining and gemstones.

Commenting on the issue of security, Kalla said President Ghani wanted to learn from Indonesia on how best to resolve domestic conflicts.

They want to learn from Indonesia on how to maintain peace and solidity of national unity. Its very important because its very difficult to maintain peace in Afghanistan, said Kalla.

Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi and Indonesian Ambassador to Afghanistan Arief Rachman accompanied Kalla in his one-hour meeting with President Ghani. (rdi/ebf)

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Security concerns scaring off Indonesian investors in Afghanistan: VP Kalla - Jakarta Post