TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia in an online press conference on Tuesday said that his working visit to the United States in mid-July was to boost the realization of foreign investments.

He claimed to have obtained investment commitments from a number of renowned companies such as Microsoft, Aplan Lighting, and Cargill.

“We traveled abroad to increase direct foreign investment since the economy will not properly grow if we only depend exclusively on domestic capital,” said Minister Lahadalia on July 27.

The meeting between himself and Vice President of Azure Global Microsoft Mark Jacobsohn, aimed to build a commitment of realizing data center in Indonesia. Microsoft has been present in Indonesia for 26 years.

Meanwhile, the agriculture and food provider Cargill, he revealed without spilling into further details, will be conducting its factory groundbreaking in Indonesia in September this year.

“The ones showing commitment will help us improve investments as long as we are able to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic,” said the Minister.

Lahadalia urged the general public and activists to understand the government’s attempt in increasing investments in Indonesia amidst the pandemic, which he asserted is solely aimed to maintain economic stability. The Indonesian government has set a goal of Rp900 trillion in foreign investments by the end of this year.

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FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA