TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The government seeks to boost foreign investments in several sectors, particularly the food and beverages sector, in a bid to rein on the rupiah’s depreciation against the US dollar.

"We have encouraged Japan to invest in the food industry, for investment diversification," said director of sectoral promotion at the Coordinating Investment Board (BKPM), Ikmal Lukman, on Wednesday.

Japan has placed 50 percent of its investments in Indonesia in the manufacturing business—90 percent of which in the automotive sector. Therefore, BKPM plans to widen Japan’s market in Indonesia. Lukman added that President Joko Widodo’s recent visit to Japan had lured the interest of several industries that planned to invest millions of dollars in Indonesia.

BKPM chief Franky Sibarani said he was also set to return to Japan in May. He said Toyota and Suzuki are among the Japanese investors planning to jack up their investments in Indonesia. “However, we want to add more investments outside of the automotive sector. We will encourage investments in the food, maritime, and agriculture sectors," he said.

Industry Minister Saleh Husin said that the food and beverages business in the country was appealing. "Our economy is supported by the consumption sector. This is what drives global companies to invest in Indonesia,” he said.

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