REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), during his visit to Hong Kong on Monday, has called on Hong Kong businessmen to invest in Indonesia.
During a meeting with businessmen in Hong Kong, Jokowi stated that the government has opened more investment chances in various sectors and that the investment door in Indonesia is widely open for them.
He also provided assurance on the government's effort to ensure Indonesia was a good state to invest during his speech at the Hong Kong businessmen meeting in Hotel Conrad's Grand Ballroom, Hong Kong.
"Hong Kong is one of the many cities in the world where you could enjoy breakfast along with Superman," Jokowi said at his presentation, which shows Li Ka Shing, a Hong Kong businessman, investor and philanthropist.
Jokowi had earlier met Li Ka Shing, who is called the "Superman" because of his mastery in business, to discuss investment chances in Indonesia.
Li expressed his commitment to the president to increase his investment in Indonesia. He has already invested in Indonesia since more than a decade ago.
"Of course, Superman will always be the first to see a chance," the president stated while explaining Li's actions a decade ago.
The investment chance in Indonesia is of course supported by the government's effort to improve the situation. One of them is regarding reformation.
"For Indonesia, our current focus is reformation," Jokowi noted.
The first reform since he was elected as president was the reduction in gasoline subsidy allocation, which reaches 80 percent, and the fund directed to the other sectors.
"The amount is around US$15 billion each fiscal year, and we allocate them to other sectors such as health, education, and mainly infrastructures," he explained.
"The 35-gigawatts power project, 1,000-kilometers highway, 3.258-kilometers railway, 15 new airports, 10 airports developments, and 24 new and improved ports," Jokowi added.
Apart from that, the president also stated about the removal of around 3,000 local laws, which hinder investment, and explained the tax amnesty plan as well.
"Thanks to those efforts, this year we have increased our rank in World Bank's Investment index to 91st from 106 last year," he remarked, adding that the new target was to rise to the top 40.
Infrastructure development in Indonesia now connects more areas and increases chances in tourism sector.
"We have launched a program called 'Ten New Bali' in Bali, our famous tourist island with the better infrastructure, similar to Raja Ampat in Papua, Mandalika in Lombok, and Komodo Island," Jokowi revealed.
"Anyone can buy properties there before Li Ka Shing buys them all and increases the price," he added.
Hong Kong is well known for its power in real estate and lifestyle development sectors, which makes it suitable for tourism development in Indonesia.
Jokowi himself has predicted that in the near future, Indonesia that would receive lots of investment in hotels, resorts, tourism districts, and several attractions.
"I also see a big chance for Hong Kong monetary industry. I believe the infrastructure funds in Asia would be the biggest stock market chance for some decades," Jokowi pointed out.
He ensured that he would do his part to improve various aspects to make Indonesia a good place to invest.
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