TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Australian health company, Aspen Docta, has agreed to invest US$1 billion for the construction of health facilities in West Java. The agreement for the project was signed separately by the CEOs of Aspen Docta at the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, and Jasa Sarana CEO in Bandung.

The virtual Shareholder Agreement signing ceremony was witnessed by Indonesian Ambassador Y. Kristiarto S. Legowo, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Gary Quinlan, as well as officials from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and officials of Government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

The signing ceremony was part of the West Java Investment Summit (WIJS) event series held on November 16 and 17.

Aspen Docta's US$1 billion investment will be used to build and operate 650 health clinics and 23 hospitals in West Java. Aspen Docta also plans to build 40 clinics and one hospital by 2021, 400 clinics and five hospitals by 2023, and 250 clinics and 18 hospitals the following year.

"This cooperation is a manifestation of the increasing bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia, especially after the implementation of the Indonesia Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) since July 5, 2020," Indonesian Ambassador Y. Kristiarto S. Legowo said prior to the signing, as quoted from a press release Tempo received on November 17.

Ambassador Kristiarto added that the cooperation is a follow-up to the Business Roundtable meeting during President Joko Widodo's visit to Australia in February 2020, which was also attended by Aspen Medical Group's CEO Bruce Armstrong.

EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA