TEMPO.CO, Sydney - The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) noted that 10 Australian companies have shown interest to invest around US$4-5 billion in Indonesia. Executive officers of the companies expressed their interest during a meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in Sydney on Saturday.

BKPM chairman Thomas Trikasih Lembong said that the companies are interested in investing in the fields of mining and processing, food and beverages, tourism and hotels, as well as infrastructure.

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President Jokowi spoke to each of the COEs attending the business meeting to find out their interest and commitment to expanding their businesses to Indonesia. The meeting was also aimed at receiving inputs from Australian businesses over their investment experience in Indonesia.

Among other things, Australian investors suggested easier halal certification for multivitamin products. Mining companies and mineral processing also made presentations on investment in North Sumatra.

Thomas said that companies have expressed their interest in expanding their business. “One of whom is an investor in hotel sector who has 8,000 hotels across the globe, 1,200 in China and only 10 in Indonesia,” he said. “They have planned to improve their hotel network in Indonesia to 100 in three to four years.”

In the latest survey of Australian business community conducted by Austrade puts Indonesia in the big five of priority countries for investment.

ALI HIDAYAT | ANTARA