Indonesia To Tighten Foreign Investment Norms

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian Government will tighten its guidelines for foreign investment and foreign workers, according to Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri.

"Priority will be given to foreign companies that can really benefit Indonesia," the minister noted here on Friday.

He stated that Indonesia will provide certainties for foreign companies that are really serious.

"If they are not serious, it will become evident in their approach. It is the money that counts. If they bring money, then they will be accommodated," the minister said after a meeting with Vice-President Jusuf Kalla.

The minister explained that the policy will be in the form of regulations. In essence, regulations will help companies that want to seriously make investments in Indonesia.

"We are open to all because we want to increase investments as a whole. Therefore, all regulations will be simplified, including matters related to expatriates," the manpower minister stated.

He remarked that the seriousness of foreign companies can be seen when they submit their investment plans.

"Foreign companies willing to make investments in Indonesia should prepare their plans first and send them to us. This process will now become faster because we have already established a proper system," the minister pointed out.

Meanwhile, Chief of Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Franky Sibarani observed that regulations regarding foreign companies had so far been lenient.

Most companies apply for investment packages through expatriates, but, in practice, they do not send workers.

"If a company wants to make an investment, it will bring workers, including financial managers, technicians, and others. However, it often happens that an application includes 30 expatriates, but they come one by one and not in one package," he explained.

Therefore, through the BKPM, the Manpower Ministry and the Ministry of Law and Human Rights that oversees immigration will optimize the integrated one-roof services (PTSP) system in the central government, he added. (WDY)