Jokowi Requests Permit Process to Complete in Hours: The Digital Age Should Not Take Months

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked that the processing of investment permits be completed in a matter of hours.

"Check again regarding the ease of licensing, check again, because in practice we are still taking a long time, we are still in the 260-day figure, we are still taking a long time. The calculation should be if there is a permit, in this digital age it should be hours, not months", Jokowi said as quoted from Antara, Thursday, February 23.

Jokowi admitted that he had repeatedly warned about the investment climate. According to him, the key to economic growth for all countries is an investment.

“Right now the most important thing is how the investment comes in. And all countries are fighting over what is called investment, no country is (not fighting over), all are fighting over investment", he said.

Jokowi asked the governors to check again, the ease of licensing in their respective regions.

He did not want new investment permits to come out after months.

The reason is, in the current era of digitalization, investment licensing should be made easier and faster.

"At the latest, yes (a matter of) days, hours if possible. How does digitization in permits exist in all provinces, regencies and cities", he explained.