VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - French Ambassador to Indonesia Fabien Penone and a delegation of French company leaders, accompanied by Nusantara National Capital Authority (NNCA) Head Bambang Susantono, visited the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) area on Monday (June 12).

The visit was the first time that potential investors from Europe had visited IKN directly, as noted in a release issued by the NNCA Communication Team and received here on Tuesday.

"This morning, I hosted a group of companies, business people from France. This is the first stage of engagement or interest from business people in France (to invest in IKN), and around 20 entrepreneurs want to see directly in the field," Susantono remarked.

He emphasized that the visit will be followed up with investment in IKN. The visiting French delegates came from various industrial sectors, such as energy, smart city technology, and environment-friendly materials.

"I think they are from all sides, not only investing in order to become investors but also becoming business people," he stated at the location of mixed land use for trade and services at IKN.

The Head of NNCA explained that at the location of the mixed land use, a large shopping center will be built in 2024.

Based on data from the Deputy for Funding and Investment of NNCA, currently, some prospective investors are committed to investing in an area of 7.30 hectares. In total, there are 71 mixed land-use clusters for investors spread across the Government Center Core Area (KIPP).

The mixed land use concept is planned to minimize travel between areas and provide public facilities, such as schools and sufficient commercial areas for each area. This will allow each area to function independently and be connected, thereby enabling high density and affordability, Susantono expounded.

On the same occasion, Sinarmas LDA Maritime (SLM) President Director Matthieu Lavoine revealed that the arrival of the French company delegation today aims to directly witness the IKN development project on the field.

"To make sure this project is realized, today, we witness what is happening, so that we can report later to the head office about the project and Indonesia's commitment to this big project," he affirmed.

"Hopefully, I really hope so, we can decide to invest and support Indonesia to build the country's future," he stated.

Meanwhile, Deputy Head of the Economic Department of the French Embassy Arnaud Tripet said that during the visit, the French Embassy invited a delegation of French companies to see firsthand and discuss with NNCA regarding investment opportunities in IKN.

"I think there are already French companies that have invested in Indonesia and employ Indonesians, and they want to take further steps with the authorities in terms of the private sector," he stated.

Apart from visiting the Nusantara area, the French company delegation also submitted a letter of intent (LoI) to NNCA through Deputy for Funding and Investment Agung Wicaksono. The submission of this LoI is the fourth handed over by France, from a total of 233 LOIs that have been received.

According to NNCA, some 233 LOIs have been submitted, and they are from various countries: 106 from Indonesia; 26 from Japan; 22 from Singapore; 16 from Malaysia; 15 from China; nine from the US; four from France; three from the UK; two each from South Korea, Finland, and the UAE; and one each from the Philippines, Luxembourg, Thailand, Germany, Spain, Canada, and Brunei Darussalam.

"Earlier, I received a letter of intent from an energy company, so from our total of 20 companies, we have received four letters of intent. In future, we hope other European countries will also be interested," Wicaksono stated.

He highlighted that the most important aspect to show to potential investors is the available investment land.

"The investment land that will be available to investors is already real. Earlier, they visited one of the lands for mixed land-use commercial development," he explained.

He further drew attention to a high level of interest from French company leaders, who were inquiring about various incentives and ease of investing in IKN.

"They asked for information on the documents, and with that they can prepare their proposal, and after that, it will continue to roll, they will calculate the numbers, the business plan, the feasibility study, and after that, it is easy to negotiate and then produce investment," Wicaksono stated.

Regarding land, the Investment Task Force and the Acceleration of Land Acquisition are currently closely monitoring and targeting completion by July 27, 2023.(Antaranews)