TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) believes that the UK referendum that resulted in the empire's exit from the European Union is not a threat to British investments in Indonesia.
BKPM chief Franky Sibarani said that the UK's investments in Indonesia are long term, and "were made with careful considerations—Brexit will not affect existing business policies."
Franky even said that with the exit creates an opportunity for Indonesia to attract investments from the UK.
"We are working on a free trade agreement with the EU and the United States. Therefore, British companies can make Indonesia as their production base to enter the global market."
Based on BKPM's records, the UK is the 8th country with the largest investment in Indonesia. From 2010 to 2015, UK investors actualized US$4.8 billion of their investment plans.
The trade value between Indonesia and the UK in 2015 reached US $2.35 billion. From January to May this year, British investment commitment in Indonesia reached US$111 million, which is 517 percent higher over the same period of 2015.
British Ambassador to Indonesia, Moazzam Malik, also ensured that the Brexit will have no effect on Indonesian citizens currently working and studying in the UK. He called to the thousands of Indonesian students in the UK to continue with their studies. "There is no reason to leave the UK," he said.
ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI | CHITRA PARAMAESTI
