FOREIGN INVESTMENT FLOW INTO INDONESIA HIGHEST IN ASEAN

Jakarta, 19 Dhulqo’dah 1436/3 September 2015 (MINA) – The Head of the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Agency (BKPM) Franky Sibarani said the foreign investment flow into Indonesia in the first semester reached 31 percent–the highest in ASEAN.

Mr. Sibarani explained based on Financial Times data, foreign investment flows into Indonesia are amounted to US$13.66 billion or 31 percent of the 10 ASEAN member countries. Infopublik quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

According to him, the figure is much higher compared to Vietnam which absorbs US$7.53 billion (17%) and Malaysia which absorbs US$7.01 billion (16%).

“The data illustrate that in the midst of a slowing global economy, Indonesia is still potential as a major investment destination in ASEAN,” he said in Jakarta, Tuesday (9/1).

He explained that in general, investment flows in first semester reached US$311 billion or declined by 15.8 percent compared to the first semester of 2014 which was amounted to US$369.5 billion.

The investments flow into Asia Pacific region in the first semester of 2015 rose to 9.2 percent, amounting to US$137.3 billion compared to the first semester of 2014 which was amounted to US$125.8 billion.

“Asia-Pacific is the only region which still recorded a positive growth,” he said.

He specified the investor countries in ASEAN region in the first semester are China (17%), Japan (15%), Thailand (12%), South Korea (12%), Singapore (10%), the United States (9%), Malaysia (3%), Germany (3%), Taiwan (2%), and Switzerland (2%).

According to him, the 10 major origins of investment to ASEAN are in line with BKPM’s investment marketing focus. “On the whole, Indonesia is still the most attractive country in ASEAN for foreign investors,” he concluded. (T/P008/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)