Jokowi Targets Investments In Indonesia To Reach Rp. 900 Trillion In 2021, Luhut: That's Not Difficult

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo: Kemenko Marves)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan is optimistic that the investment target raised by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to Rp900 trillion this year will be achieved.

Luhut's optimistic attitude departs from the realization of investment in 2020 which has reached IDR 826 trillion. So, according to him, meeting the targets set by Jokowi is not too difficult.

"So, if you ask 2021, will this be able to (achieve the investment target) of IDR 900 trillion? I don't think it's too difficult to add IDR 70 trillion. I think this is a very realistic figure to achieve," he said, during the Special Dialogue: Challenge. and Investment Optimism 2021, Jakarta, Wednesday, February 3.

Luhut said, this investment target was considered realistic even though the Indonesian economy is currently experiencing a slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the reasons is that the downstream program carried out by the government since six years ago will have a big impact on Indonesia today.

The proof, he said, is that Indonesia is finalizing agreements with several foreign companies. For example, a steel company from China Tsingshan and China's Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) with Freeport will sign a collaboration.

With this agreement, Luhut ensured that for the next three years the investment value could reach up to US $ 30 billion.

"It is very possible (to achieve the investment target that Jokowi raised). Then, CATL has signed 10 billion US dollars, and later Tsingshan and Freeport will sign 2.8 billion US dollars (Rp39 trillion) for the smelter," he said.

Previously, the Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that he was asked by President Jokowi so that the realization of investment in 2021 could reach Rp900 trillion. This figure is much higher than the investment realization target in 2021 of IDR 855.8 trillion.

"The 2021 target at Bappenas is Rp. 856 trillion, but on several occasions the President has ordered Rp. 900 trillion," said Bahlil.