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AKARTA: Representatives of 13 Chinese textile companies are currently visiting Indonesia to explore opportunities to set up factories in Central Java.

The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles (CCCT) said 13 textile companies, including China-based textile giant Texhong Textile Group Ltd, are seeking suitable sites to build factories in the country.

“Once the plants begin producing, the products will be shipped to countries outside Indonesia,” said CCCT vice chairman Jiang Hui after a meeting with the Indonesian Textile Association (API) and the Trade Ministry on Thursday.

The companies had set their sights on the region of Central Java, including places such as Surakarta and Boyolali, because of adequate infrastructure and the availability of human resources, said API vice chairman Mintarjo Halim.

“We initially suggested they invest in regions outside Java, but they think the infrastructure there is still lacking,” he added.

West Java was also initially considered, but recent labor unrest in the region had spooked them from investing there, according to Mintarjo.