Jakarta - The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has claimed that investment in the oil and gas upstream sector in Indonesia is still attractive for global investors.

"Many international firms have entered Indonesia, and one of them is Neptune Energy in the West Ganal block (Makassar Strait offshore)," the ministry's Director of Oil and Gas Upstream Business, Mustafid Gunawan, said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

A consortium of Eni Indonesia Limited - PT Pertamina (Persero) - Neptune Energy West Ganal B.V. has won the tender for the exploration of the block.

Separately, he said, British Petroleum (BP) has also planned to conduct exploration in open space.

"BP is discussing a survey outside the oil and gas working area; a change in commitment is still in progress. This will need huge funds," he said.

The transparent data on Indonesia's oil and gas has become one factor behind the increased interest to invest in the sector, after the issuance of the Ministerial Regulation no. 7/2019 on the management of natural gas and oil data.

Gunawan said investors can access and process the data in accordance with the ministerial regulation. An investor would have to register as a member and pay fees before he/she can access the data.

"We will set the fee. As long as they are members, they will get the data. If not, they can only access basic information. Many investors are keen on getting the data," he remarked.

In 2020, Gunawan said the ministry will auction 12 working areas of oil and gas blocks.

"In 2020, we prepared a working area bidding and a scheme in terms of technical, whether it will be cost recovery or a gross split. It will be imposed openly depending on the evaluation," Gunawan said.

The working areas in the auction are 10 conventional oil and gas blocks and two non-conventional blocks.

Previously, a spokesman of the ministry, Agung Pribadi, said the government believes that the regulation would invite many investors in the upstream oil and gas sector.

The government has opened to all stakeholders access to data on Indonesian oil and gas.

Investors can register as members and pay fees to access data packages on the working area bidding. While non-members would only get access to general data, basic data, processed data and interpreted data have passed the confidentiality period.

"When we introduced the application to oil and gas contractors, they admitted that the application on oil and gas data has been very useful to them," Pribadi said. (ANTARA)

Banda Aceh, Aceh Darussalam - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) of Aceh has praised enthusiastically the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) intent to invest in Aceh Province, especially in the property field.

"All parties must join in supporting the UAE's aspirations since it is very positive to boost Aceh's economic growth. Bringing in investment is also in line with the 'Great Aceh' program initiated by the Aceh government," Kadin Aceh Chairman Makmur Budiman stated in Banda Aceh on Tuesday.

The government and people of Aceh hailed the investment plan, as the province is currently further developing the Arun Special Economic Zone (KEK), he noted.

"This also offers a new ray of hope for us all to see the likely development of various types of refinery industries in the KEK," he stated.

He opined that the property industry is ideal to be developed in Aceh Besar District, for instance, in the Indrapuri Sub-district, which is a buffer zone of Banda Aceh City.

The UAE had earlier shown interest to invest more in the field of property development, particularly in Aceh, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan stated.

Pandjaitan remarked that next week, he will invite the Aceh governor and other prominent figures to hold discussions regarding the UAE's interest in property development in Aceh, reachable with a mere five-hour flight from Abu Dhabi. (ANTARA)

Jakarta - Indonesia's Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly has discussed the progress on the Schengen visa-free scheme for Indonesians, in the meeting with 20 ambassadors from the European Union member countries. "In the meeting I have conveyed cooperation in immigration, to consider the implementation of the Schengen visa-free scheme for us," Laoly said after the meeting in Jakarta Tuesday.

A Schengen visa is a short stay visa allowing its holder to circulate in the Schengen area that covers 26 countries without border controls between them.

These countries are Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Indonesia has yet to be included on the list of countries that can enjoy the benefits of a Schengen visa.

Indonesia is examining visa-free entry for citizens of the European Union member countries visiting the country, Laoly said.

In return, he has asked the EU to impose a similar scheme for Indonesians visiting the region.

"We have applied visa-free scheme for tourism and business, and in return, we asked them to consider Schengen visa-free scheme for us," he noted.

The meeting has also discussed several other issues related to the enhancement of Indonesia and EU relations, including legislation priorities for 2020 and the completion of Indonesia's omnibus law aimed at improving investment climate and ease of doing business.

It also discussed the Law on the Anti-Graft Body (KPK), development of human rights issues, intellectual properties, mutual legal assistance and extradition. (ANTARA)

Banda Aceh, Aceh - Thai Army Chief General Apirat Kongsompong is visiting Aceh Province to learn how it handled conflicts. Kongsompong arrived in Aceh at 11.40 a.m. local time Tuesday. He was greeted by Indonesian Army Chief of Staff General Andika Perkasa, Chief of the Iskandar Muda Regional Military Command Major General Teguh Indratmoko, upon arrival.

Geographically, Aceh is an Indonesian province closest to Thailand. Apirat visited the westernmost Indonesian province to see for himself all the dynamics in the province. Perkasa said.

"General Apirat came to Aceh to see for himself what it has achieved. They (Apirat and entourage) will also meet with the Aceh Wali Nanggroe traditional leader to share (knowledge) that may be useful for Thailand," Perkasa said at the Iskandar Muda Regional Military Command Headquarters in Banda Aceh, capital of Aceh province.

Aceh suffered a protracted conflict between the separatist movement and the Indonesian government for nearly three decades before both sides signed a peace agreement in Helsinki, Finland, on August 15, 2005.

Aceh is a peaceful city after it suffered a protracted conflict and bore the brunt of December 26, 2004 powerful earthquake and the subsequent tsunami, Apirat said.

Aceh continued to rise in the wake of the armed conflict and tsunami by improving infrastructures and promoting civilization within its tranquil society and mutual understanding, he said. "What has brought about this peace? This is not about religion, nor what you are understanding. We must understand it," he said.

Thailand has three conflicting provinces in its southern part. They have many things in common with Aceh, including religion and culture. Aceh has the freedom to lead a peaceful life under the Indonesian constitution.

"But I don't know why conflict is still going on in the three provinces involving several community groups that have the freedom to adhere to religious faith and the right to vote. They can choose their leaders because they are Thai nationals under our constitution," he said. (ANTARA)