Alfian, Jakarta – Despite their fundamental ideological differences, the secular-prone Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) have much in common in terms of economic policies.

This was revealed Friday during their separate discussions with business leaders from the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo).

The talks will also feature the Golkar Party, the Democratic Party, the United Development Party (PPP) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) in a second and third batch of discussions slated for Saturday and Monday.

During Friday's discussion, the PDI-P and the PKS presented their economic blueprints and pledges should they net the most votes at the April 9 legislation elections. PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri and PKS president Tifatul Sembiring headed their respective delegations.

Both parties shared similar views for developing the banking sector, in which the Islamic sharia system would not dominate.

Mohamad Sohibul Iman, PKS executive for economy and finance, said sharia banking was not part of the party's macroeconomic strategy. "In our opinion, sharia banking and sharia-based economy should not be forced. It should develop naturally," he said.

Both parties also opposed the dominance of foreign ownership in local banks. Tifatul said the PKS would be happy to see local bank owners lead the sector, but with foreign banks allowed to operate freely here. PDI-P economic advisor Iman Sugema said the government should empower state banks to take the lead in the sector and work to provide loans for small businesses.

They also agreed to revise the unfavorable labor law. Although both failed to provide concrete policies, Apindo chairman Sofjan Wanandi said the discussion was a good start to preview their policies.

"Through this we know that actually we can cooperate with them. Businesspeople know little about the PKS, for instance. But from this discussion, we know the party is actually quite open-minded," he said.