Indonesia Very Open, Good Choice for Doing Business, President Jokowi Tells Oz Investors

President Jokowi attends the Indonesia-Australia Business Roundtable meeting, at the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra, Australia, Monday (10/2). (Photo by: PR / Dindha Moerti).

The Indonesian Government opens new markets and opportunities for businesses, including primary producers, service providers, and investors, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“I am proud that I can meet with Indonesian-Australian business people from various sectors here. This is not my first visit to Australia but this is the first in my second term as a President,” President Jokowi said in his remarks at Hyatt Hotel in Australian capital of Canberra, Australia, Monday (10/2).

According to the President, there are five cabinet work priorities during his second term of presidency, namely human resources development, infrastructure development, regulation simplification, bureaucratic structure simplification, and economic transformation from dependence on natural resources toward manufacturing and modern services.

“You might have seen infrastructure development in Indonesia that has been carried out over the past five years, among others toll road development, seaport development, airport development, power plant development, and other infrastructures development that have contributed positively to the country’s economic growth of more than 5 percent,” the President said, adding that infrastructure development is a long-term sustainable asset that will support Indonesia’s economic growth.

The President added that Indonesia-Australia cooperation in education can be carried out in terms of developing human resources.

“I believe Indonesia and Australia can promote positive cooperation in education sector. I welcome Indonesian-Monash University cooperation,” the President said, adding that Monash University is the first foreign university to open campus in Indonesia.

On investment climate in the country, the President stressed that the Indonesian Government has taken a positive measures to improve it through Omnibus Law regulations.

“The Omnibus Law will simplify all regulations regarding investment climate. The law expected to be completed this year,” the President added.

In amidst of global uncertainty, the President pointed out that protectionism can bring good luck in the short term, because it will not speed up the country’s economic growth.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also expressed his gratitude toward Indonesia-Australia bilateral cooperation in creating an open and mutually beneficial and equitable economy for two countries.

Therefore, President Jokowi said he welcomed the completion of the Indonesia-Australia comprehensive economic partnership agreement (IA-CEPA).

“We should ensure that the implementation of the IA-CEPA can bring benefits to peoples in both countries. We have to believe that bilateral cooperation can provide mutual benefits and good solutions for both parties,” he said.

The Head of State further said that the IA-CEPA could also bring significant tariff cuts on commodity exports between the two countries and offer various investment privileges, adding that it also could improve Indonesia-Australia economic relations.

“We should keep our focus on bilateral cooperation that will produce concrete results within 100 days after the ratification of the IA-CEPA. Through this agreement, the peoples of the two countries will understand that the IA-CEPA can bring benefits to both countries,” the President added.

According to the President, strategic economic cooperation will be encouraged by strong geostrategic cooperation, considering that Indonesia and Australia are partners in ASEAN and Indo-Pacific so that the two countries should strengthen bilateral relations.

“I invite all business players here in Australia to increase investment cooperation in Indonesia. I will oversee the economy with the Ministers and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin). You can consult with them on many issues regarding the cooperation and new business opportunities in Indonesia,” President Jokowi said. (MAY / EN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas