REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appreciated the investment and contribution of Chinese entrepreneurs in development in Indonesia. He also guaranteed socio-political stability in Indonesia for the sake of investment.
This was stated while attending the Indonesia-China Business Forum at China World Hotel, Beijing, China, Monday (16/10/2023). “I would like to express my gratitude for his investment, for his contribution to the development of Indonesia. In 2013, RRT was among the 12 contributors to foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia, number 12 in 2013, but in 2022 it is already the second,” Jokowi said, quoted from the press release of the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday.
According to Jokowi, the way entrepreneurs invest in Indonesia is quick and appropriate. He also analogized it like Bruce Lee with his 'wing chun' movement. Jokowi believes that Chinese investment in Indonesia will continue to increase and become the top FDI contributor in the next two years.
“I'm sure if it continues to be consistent like this, I'm sure within the next year or two years, I believe China can be ranked first and as a contributor to FDI in Indonesia and that's what I'm looking forward to,” he said.
Jokowi's belief is because Indonesia is currently focusing on downstream industries for various commodities such as nickel, copper, tin, and other minerals. Indonesia is also focused on building an integrated electric vehicle ecosystem to become an important part of the world's supply chain.
“This requires the transfer of high technology and investment, especially if combined with the use of very abundant green energy resources in Indonesia to produce green products, to create a green economic ecosystem,” he continued.
Jokowi explained that the potential of new renewable energy in Indonesia is huge, reaching 3,600 gigawatts. He details some of them, which are 3,200 gigawatts from solar power and there are 4,400 rivers for hydro energy.
Apart from that, Indonesia is also building a new Indonesian Capital City (IKN) with the concept of a green city in a jungle, 60 percent of which is forest, the first carbon neutral city in Indonesia. Jokowi said that the construction of basic infrastructure and government centers is expected to be completed next year.
As of early November, there were already 21 investors from within and outside the country who had and will soon carry out groundbreaking with a total value of USD 2 billion.
Jokowi also reassured investors that investing in Indonesia is the right choice because it is easy and safe. He invited investors to invest in Indonesia because a number of economic indicators showed positive achievements. These include consistent economic growth above 5 percent, a trade balance that has been in surplus for 41 consecutive months, the Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) has been at an expansion level for 25 consecutive months, and a demographic bonus.
He continued, the government has also prepared various incentives and is trying to maintain socio-political stability. "So, don't let anyone worry about the upcoming 2024 election because Indonesia also has experience in holding direct general elections five times. So, you don't need to worry, you just need to hurry. This is an investment opportunity that will not only benefit Indonesia but also China, because for Indonesian cooperation it must be mutually beneficial, it must be mutually beneficial," he concluded.
Accompanying the President trip to China were Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises as Ad Interim Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Erick Thohir, Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Abdul Halim Iskandar, Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun.
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