A recent press release from the office of President Joko Widodo said the President met with a number of CEOs of Japanese companies at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. During the meeting, President Jokowi said that Japan is one of the largest investors in Indonesia with a quality investment character.
“I really appreciate the quality of Japanese investment. However, I also hope that Japanese investors will consider its competitiveness. So that they can compete with other investors in Indonesia,” said the President. “In short , good quality, competitive prices, that’s what we expect and I believe Indonesia is still one of the best investment places,” he continued.
As the fourth largest democracy in the world, President Jokowi said that the checks and balances in the Indonesian government system were running well. Indonesia’s domestic politics has also been very stable, Indonesia’s economic growth is also quite good post-pandemic.
“Last year we grew 3.69-percent and the first quarter of this year Indonesia’s economy still grew 5.01-percent Year on Year, inflation can also be maintained at 4.35-percent. Then the fiscal deficit is also quite good, I think this year it will fall below 4,” he explained.
In addition, Indonesia also still has foreign exchange reserves of USD 135-billion, and can be imported for 6-7 months. Currently, investment is expected to be able to build a green economy, including in the field of energy transition.
“Right now we are starting to build a new capital city where there are lots of investment opportunities, ranging from infrastructure, technology to build smart cities, and others. We have also simplified investment policies through the Omnibus Law, (the job creation law,) so that all permits can be handled in a coordinated manner at the investment office,” he explained.
To the CEOs, the President also asked them to contact Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia if they have problems investing in Indonesia.
“CEOs, please ask for the Minister of Investment’s cellphone number, this is important. If there is a problem, you can directly contact the Minister of Investment. If you can’t finish it at the Investment Minister, please contact me,” he said.
Also accompanying President Jokowi in the meeting with CEOs were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhur Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir, Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Heri Akhmadi , and Chairman of Kadin Arsjad Rasjid.
The CEOs present were Toyota Motor Corp CEO Akio Toyoda, Sojitz Corp CEO Masayoshi Fujimoto, Mitsubishi Corp CEO Katsuya Nakanishi, Mitsubishi Motors Corp CEO Takao Kato, Mitsubishi Chemical Corp CEO Jean-Marc Gilson, Denso Corp CEO Koji Arima, Toyota Tsusho CEO Ichiro Kashitani, Sharp Corp. Vice President Masahiro Okitsu, Inpex Corp. Vice President Kenji Kawano, and Kansai Electric Power Vice President Matsumura Mikio.
Source: The President of The Republic of Indonesia Press Release
