Jokowi Sends Mission Overseas to Market Indonesia as Investment Destination

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – President Joko Widodo has sent Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan overseas on a mission to promote investment in Indonesia in the wake of the country’s new Job Creation Omnibus Law.

The delegation set out late last week or a month after the government passed the controversial legislation last October in the face of opposition from labor, civil society and other groups.

Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment spokesman Jobi Mahardi confirmed that the delegation headed by Luhut and Deputy Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar has been in the US since Sunday, November 15.

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“Aside from raising awareness about the Job Creation Omnibus Law, the delegation is assigned to meet with Tesla founder Elon Musk after he recently expressed his interest to build a factory producing nickel batteries, as Indonesia has plentiful supplies of that natural resource,” said Jodi.

“The meeting is also related to Indonesia’s goal to be the world’s biggest producer of electric vehicle batteries, as well as follow up Tesla’s wish to invest in Indonesia. However, this plan fell short, as Musk was unable to meet with the delegation after he tested positive for Covid-19.”

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But Jodi assured that the setback will not stop the mission. “[We have] plans to meet six to seven major investors, among them Blackgroup Inc. Aside from the Job Creation Omnibus Law, we will also give them the latest updates on the Sovereign Wealth Fund [SWF].”

Aside from Tesla, Volkswagen and Hyundai also expressed interest in building a factory for nickel batteries in Indonesia.

The government passed the Job Creation Omnibus Law to widespread protests nationwide. Its creators claimed the law will facilitate foreign investment, while its detractors maintained that it will undermine worker rights to obtain larger severance or more reasonable working hours.

(Writer: Ade Miranti Karunia | Editor : Ambaranie Nadia Kemala Movanita)

Source:

https://money.kompas.com/read/2020/11/16/175004126/batal-bertemu-bos-tesla-luhut-akan-temui-beberapa-investor-besar-di-as?page=all#page2.