VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Investment Minister / Investment Coordinating Board Head (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia made a working visit to the US last week in a bid to strengthen economic relations between Indonesia and the US. During the visit, Minister Bahlil met American Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (AICC) in New York. He affirmed Indonesian government's commitment to keep improving the country to be friendlier for investors. One of which is through ease of licensing and investment monitoring.

Minister Bahlil further stated that the US is the most important investor for Indonesia. The two countries' relations need to keep being strengthened and improved. So, the US cooperation and investment potential in Indonesia also keep growing.

Furthermore, Minister Bahlil also explained the Risk-Based Online Single Submission System (OSS). With a digitalized and centralized investment permit application process in the OSS, American business people can apply without coming to Indonesia. He also pointed out the Job Creation Law. Besides providing facilities for investors, the law also opens the opportunities for micro small and medium businesses in Indonesia to grow.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of American Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (AICC), Wayne Forrest appreciated the improvement in investment climate done by Indonesia. He said that the Covid-19 pandemic made the US companies unable to be as aggressive as during normal times. However, some companies are still interested to invest in Indonesia, namely in the energy and electricity sector. Forrest also affirmed that his side will keep pushing the US companies to invest in Indonesia.

Indonesian Consul General in New York, Arifi Salman also gave appreciation for the Investment Minister who visited in the difficult time. He said the visit showed the earnestness of Indonesian government in increasing the two countries' economic cooperation.

The Investment Ministry / Investment Coordinating Board recorded the total investment realization from the US in 2016 - March 2021 reached US$6.6 billion dollars and was the 8th biggest. The dominant investment sectors during the period were mining, power, gas, water, hotel and restaurant, chemical industries, and pharmaceuticals. Location-wise, 85 percent of the investment realization is located outside Java with most of it in Papua.