Forward Looking

Forbes Indonesia Talks With Representatives Of International Chamber Of Commerce On Investment Climate.

- Ester C. Natalia & Marella Putri

Foreign direct investment (FDI) realization continues its downward trend for three consecutive quarters in the end of September. The country’s Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) data showed that FDI realization dropped 20.2% year-on-year Rp 89.1 trillion in the third quarter of 2018. Chairman of BKPM Thomas Trikasih Lembong, during the quarterly presentation at his office, admitted that internal factors such as poor pro-investment policy implementation are the one to blame for lowering investment appetite. Thomas’ statement is in line with the World Bank yearly survey on ease of doing business - indicating an economy’s position to its regulatory practice - which also shows that Indonesia’s rank also slipped to 73rd from 72nd in 2017, below countries like Thailand and Vietnam.

And this year, additional internal factor that would make investor to wait-and-see are the legislative and presidential election. To find out more on foreign investor concerns and what can be done to improve the numbers in 2019 and onward, Forbes Indonesia sits with representatives of International Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, Noke Kiroyan; Philippe Augier of French Chamber of Commerce; Hirofumi Takeda of Jakarta Japan Club; and Lin Neumann of American Chamber of Commerce to hear their perspectives. Here is the edited excerpt of the Interview.

Forbes Indonesia (FI): How do you see the current investment climate in Indonesia?