President Invites German Businesspeople to Invest in Indonesia
President Joko Widodo is delivering his speech at Indonesian-German Business Forum, at the Ballroom of Adlon Kempinski Hotel , Berlin (18/4)
On the sidelines of his working visit to Germany, on Monday 18 April 2016, President Joko Widodo attended Indonesian-German Business Forum held at the Ballroom of Adlon Kempinski Hotel, Berlin.
Starting his speech, the President said that 50 years ago, President John F. Kennedy was standing not far from this place and said Ich bin ein Berliner (I am a Berliner). Of course, the President added, he would not say the same thing since he is not a bread maker. Berliner is a type of jelly doughnut. I would prefer to say Ich bin ein Kolner (I am a Kölner).
During my 20 years as a furniture businessman, I often came to Kölner Messe, the President said starting his speech, referring to a city in Germany that he often visited when he was a furniture businessman.
In his speech before the businesspeople of the two countries, President Joko Widodo emphasized Indonesias intention to increase economic cooperation with Germany.
Amidst global economic challenges, Indonesia has shown resilience, even its growth is surprising. Beyond estimation, Indonesias GDP reached 5.03 percent at the fourth quarter of 2015. Based on Asian Development Banks data, the interest to invest in Indonesia is now at the highest point in history.
What does it mean? I believe Indonesias economy is stable, the President said.
Indonesias economic stability, according to the President, can be achieved because infrastructure development and investment, as two machines of Indonesias economic growth, have shown real results and breakthroughs. You may check it to the journalists in Indonesia, or to your Ambassador in Jakarta. I believe many people are surprised with infrastructure development in Indonesia at the moment, the President stated.
One of the examples is the construction of Jakarta-Bandung high speed railway cooperation. With this cooperation, China will build a factory in Indonesia that will not only produce but also will export the devices of fast train to all over Southeast Asia.
President Joko Widodo also explained the Governments economic policy which some parts are inspired by the experiences of European countries in facing economic crisis.
I like the culture of German people in doing business. Me too, I dont like talk too much. I like to work more, the President said.
The President also convinced German businesspeople to invest in Indonesia because he commits to always improving investment climate in Indonesia. I will continue to reform, I will continue to simplify permitting process, I will make Indonesias economy open, the President said.
This Indonesian-German Business Forum brought together investors as well as Governments of the two countries to discuss long-term investment. There were 42 delegations of Indonesian businesspeople from various sectors who joined the visit of President Joko Widodo to Germany. Economic cooperation enhancement was the main focus which priority is to settle the negotiation of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the European Union.
Meets the CEOs and Produces Business Agreement
Besides delivering a keynote speech at Indonesian-German Business Forum, in the morning, President Joko Widodo also had a meeting with several CEOs from leading German companies, took place at Adlon Kempinski Hotel, Berlin, among others, Meyer Werft GmbH & Co.KG, Ferrostaal GmbH, Bayer AG, Siemens AG, Daimler AG, and Deutsche Bank AG.
In this visit, a number of cooperation agreements between Indonesian and German companies have been signed. The total value of these agreements was US$ 845.6 million and involving several companies, such as PT Aneka Tambang with Ferrostaal, PT Pelni with Meyer Werft, PT Pindad with Junghans Microtec, APRIL with Inapa, and PT PLN with Siemens. (TKP/EN)(MMB/YM/Naster)
