Indonesia Lures 7 Foreign Locators to Batang Industrial Estate, 17 More in Talks With Government

"The process was very intensive. We went straight to knock on the company’s door one by one and assured them that Indonesia was the right place for their factory," Bahlil said.

"The challenges were extraordinary. But that's where BKPM had to be creative and responsive. We took the necessary approaches. And thank God there have been results at this early stage." 

Seventeen other investors have expressed interest in relocating or diversifying their industries to Indonesia. One of them is a South Korean investor, LG Chemicals, that plans to build an integrated industry for vehicle battery and a smelter. This LG Chemicals investment is estimated at $9.8 billion and is expected to provide job opportunities up to 14,000 workers.

"BKPM through its special task force for investment relocation is committed to assist the relocation process and continues to carry out negotiations with various companies to attract more investors who want to relocate their business to Indonesia," Bahlil said.

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Batang Industrial Estate is located strategically in the Batang Regency as it is near the Trans Java toll road and the railway from Jakarta to Surabaya as well as the Tanjung Emas Seaport in Semarang.

Years ago, this industrial estate area was associated with an eerie road known as Alas Roban. It is a major road that is part of the Pantura line which divides the forest in the regency. Car accidents often happened in the area due to its steep road and hilly terrain. But these accidents have been linked by many to mystical events.

To improve road safety, the government has already built a new lane for safe driving next to the old one.

No need to buy land

State-Owned Enterprises Minister (BUMN) Erick Thohir said foreign investors who want to invest in the Batang Integrated Industrial Zone (KIT) in Central Java do not need to buy land.