VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia in Tawau, Malaysia, held a seminar about Indonesia's Investment Potential at the local general consulate office, on Thursday.

This event results from a collaboration between the Indonesian Consulate in Tawau and the Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi), the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), and the Indonesian Investment Promotion Center (IIPC) in Singapore.

Sulistijo Djati Ismojo, Indonesian consular in Tawau said that this seminar aims to educate potential Malaysian investors to get information about the regulations, potential, and investment sectors options.

"Through this activity, we hope that Malaysian entrepreneurs in Sabah can take the first opportunity in the investment sectors offered," Sulistijo said.

Tawau is a city in Malaysia that is closest to East Kalimantan, where the new capital city planned to be located. The Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal has also visited the location.

Because of the proximity of the region, the consulate general of Tawau sees that entrepreneurs from Sabah have the potential to invest in Indonesia or specifically in various development projects in the prospective new Indonesian capital city.

The speakers of the seminar are Johanes Sahetapy from AKSET Co-Founder and Partner, Nova Herlangga Masrie from BKPM, Nur Wakib from Peradi in Banjar Baru, and Muhamad Faizal from IIPC Singapore. Seventy participants from various companies attended the event in Sabah and Trade Chambers in Tawau.

Also present at the seminar were Datuk. Ir. Hj. Amrullah, Hj. Kamal, Chair of the Sabah Bugis Trade and Industry Council, Chair of the Bimp Eaga Business Council (BEBC) Tawau, and Chair of the Tawau Chinese Union.

"During the first semester of 2020, we have overcome over 50% of stalled investment valued at Rp 410 trillion. The stalled investment came from 8 to 11 companies that have experienced obstacles in realizing their investments,” Nova Herlangga Masrie, a speaker from BKPM said in the seminar.

"Indonesian economy fell to -5.32 percent and foreign investment in Indonesia in the first semester fell to -8.1 percent. About 5.5 million Indonesian workers have been negatively affected by the pandemic," Nova said.

Malaysia became the fifth highest country to invest in Indonesia, and Indonesia is Malaysia's second-biggest investment country target.

86.4 percent of Malaysian investments are in Java, Sumatra, and Kalimantan Islands.

The Indonesian government is trying to increase the number of foreign investors to support the country's economy during the pandemic.

"We have a large market 40% of the Asian market and also we have in a strategic location that can be utilized as a half or Asia and Australia," Nova added.