Erick Thohir Asks TikTok Bosses To Increase Investment In Indonesia

SOE Minister Erick Thohir. (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir asked the boss of the technology company, TikTok to increase his investment in Indonesia.

This request reflects on the potential of Indonesia's digital economy.

Erick said Indonesia has the highest digital economic potential in Southeast Asia.

In fact, Indonesia's digital economy potential can reach up to IDR 4,500 trillion in 2030.

Erick was also reluctant by Indonesia compared to other countries such as Thailand and Vietnam.

Indonesia is the greatest economy in Southeast Asia, and we will be the largest economy in the world. I hope TikTok should not be a threat to Indonesia, because earlier the potential of economy if TikTok said oh in Bangkok exists, in Vietnam there must be more, because Indonesia is not Thailand, not Vietnam," said Erick at the launch of TikTok-PosAja Creator House in the Kota Tua area, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 10.

Therefore, Erick also requested that TikTok invest more in Indonesia than other countries.

Moreover, said Erick, Indonesia's digital economy growth will increase until 2045.

"Please tell the boss of TikTok, I have met everyone, don't be a temporary in Indonesia. Why? Previously, the economic potential was much greater than others. So if others gave 1, Indonesia had to give 4, now that's it," he said.

According to Erick, planting this investment can be an effort to boost national economic growth together. Not only for Indonesia, but also for investors.

"We want to build something called economic growth together, yes, and become a win-win," he said.

Erick emphasized that the additional investment was not only aimed at TikTok. But it also applies to all foreign investors who plan to invest in Indonesia.

"No, what I said was not just for TikTok. With all the investments in Indonesia, don't be a winger in Indonesia," he said.

"Because our market was the most big, so if they put it in another country, we only have one, even though the money is from Indonesia, of course I object," he continued.

If investors believe in the Indonesian market, he continued, they must also build a business ecosystem in the country.

Erick admitted that he did not want Indonesia to only be used as a market, while the factory was actually abroad.

"That's what I encourage, if you believe in the Indonesian market, don't compare Indonesia with other countries. So if there were a lot of factories that made out of horror, then the goods don't have to enter Indonesia. Now, if it's made here. Because we grow the market, so we are not arrogance, right, we see from economic growth," he said.