TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) through Sweden’s Coordinating Minister of Policy and Energy, Ibrahim Baylan, during his visit to Indonesia has identified 15 Swedish companies that are interested in investing in Indonesia.

According to the press release, there were 22 entrepreneurs representing 15 well known Swedish companies that engage in the telecommunication sector, information technology, and electricity and renewable energy sector. Ibrahim Baylan was accompanied by Swedish Ambassador for Indonesia, Johanna Bismarck Skoog.

BKPM head Thomas Lembong responded to their intentions positively, considering that Swedish investment in Indonesia reached US$ 12.4 million in the last five years. “The amount is hoped to increase following the improved understanding of Swedish investors on Indonesia’s condition,” he said.

According to Thomas, the sectors the Swedish companies are most interested in have a good prospect and have been the Government’s priority. “For renewable energy, the Government targets the sector could reach 10-16 percent from its total energy mix in 2019,” he explained.

Thomas added that the renewable energy sector in Indonesia grew 11.2 percent each year, which is contributed by 45.4 percent wind energy, 21.5 percent geothermal, and 18.5 percent of bio-energy. “As one of the developed countries in its renewable energy, Sweden is hoped to invest in Indonesia.”

“In the series of visitation to the BKPM, we also arranged a matchmaking forum between Swedish investors and 12 Indonesian companies,” Thomas explained.

The visit was facilitated by the Indonesian Embassy based in Stockholm and BKPM’s representative headquarters in London (IIPC).

ANTARA