Bahlil Says Foreign Investment Growth Is Even, Not Sticking To One Country

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Investment Minister/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia said that currently the growth of foreign investment in Indonesia has been evenly distributed and is not limited to just one country.

This is based on investment realization data which shows that in recent years, countries from all over the world, from China, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, the United States, to the European Union, have entered the list of countries with the most investment in Indonesia.

"Our foreign direct investment (FDI) growth is even now," said Bahlil as quoted from Antara, Wednesday, August 10.

Bahlil said that from the beginning the Indonesian government was not indiscriminate in attracting foreign investment.

Indonesia provides a red carpet for all investors, from any country, to invest as long as they comply with existing regulations.

"Mr. President ordered us, never to say, 'Mas Bahlil, just take care of one country'. Nothing. So the red carpet is opened for all of them as long as they comply with the rules and regulations that apply to us. So it's not true if someone says they only manage one particular country," he said.

Bahlil also admitted that currently the largest recorded investment comes from Singapore. However, according to him, this is because Singapore is a global investment hub, so it is only natural that the largest investment comes from that country.

"I'm not sure it's all Singapore's money. Some of it may be Indonesian money or other countries that invest in Indonesia but through Singapore's hub," he said.

He explained that China was also one of the countries of origin for the largest investment in Indonesia.

However, said Bahlil, this condition has only occurred in the last few years because the position was previously occupied by Hong Kong, which is also a business hub.

On the other hand, US and European Union investment in Indonesia is currently increasing and improving.

The former Chairperson of Hipmi revealed that the main strategy to maintain the confidence of foreign investors in investing in Indonesia is to ensure the sustainability of their investment in the country.

"The question is, can this strategy to maintain the climate work? There is no other way, the first is that we have to guarantee their investment in Indonesia well. What is the guarantee, don't make it difficult," said Bahlil Lahadalia.

Bahlil added that collaboration with national entrepreneurs also needs to be well established to foster a positive business climate.