West Java Turns to Swedish Firms to Give Economy a Shot in the Arm

BANDUNG, KOMPAS.com – West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil has asked Swedish entrepreneurs to participate in restoring the region’s economy to pre-pandemic levels.

Ridwan Kamil made the request during a July 1 virtual meeting with Business Sweden, the Swedish government’s chamber of commerce.

Attendees of the meeting included prominent Swedish business representatives from Astra Zeneca, IKEA, H&M, Frisq, Brighter, Supertext, and more.

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Other high-level guests included a representative from the Swedish Embassy in Indonesia and the Indonesian Ambassador to Sweden.

“We have reopened 70 percent of the economy. We have a scenario on how to move the economic engine of West Java’s economy again," said Ridwan as he shared his thoughts on how the West Java's economic growth could return to its normal speed of around 5 percent. "We are trying our utmost best to get the engines going.” 

The West Java Governor kept his optimism on the region's economic growth post-pandemic.

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Ridwan is working hard to keep the region’s economic growth at 2.5 percent by December 2020.

To reach such a goal during today’s economic hardship, Ridwan hopes that Swedish businesses can support his economic growth plan.

Ridwan is confident that Swedish businesses can play a significant role in keeping West Java’s economy in the positive range until the end of the year.

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“For example, let’s say H&M returns to West Java with a full production capacity. I also wish the same for IKEA. That would greatly support our economic scenario. It would ensure we would have positive economic growth at end-2020 and experience an uptick in 2021," said Ridwan.

"Perhaps it would return West Java’s economy back to the 5 percent range,” said the West Java Governor.

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