Jokowi Mulls Over Forming Investment, Export Ministry
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12 March 2019 13:46 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Banten - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi is mulling over a formation of a ministry specifically for investment and export affairs. The reason, Jokowi was irked by the country’s investment and export value that was far below neighboring countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
“I have said in a cabinet meeting last week, do we need minister of investment and minister of export in this situation?” said Jokowi Tuesday, March 12, during his opening speech in a national investment coordination meeting at Nusantara Hall, Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) Bumi Serpong Damai, South Tangerang, Banten.
According to Jokowi, many countries had a particular minister for investment and export affairs in a bid to boost their economic growth. “From the institutional side, I think we need a minister of investment and export,” the President remarked.
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Jokowi deemed that investors were reluctant to invest in the archipelago due to issues on the investment permit. For example, the trade war between the United States and China triggered furniture business departed from China and entered Vietnam.
“Why did they enter Vietnam, while the wood, rattan, bamboo are from us? What is wrong with Indonesia?,” Jokowi questioned.
Besides, Jokowi continued, the export on Indonesian rattan, wood, and bamboo to the US only amounted to 3 percent, but Vietnam controlled the sector at 16 percent.
“We have many raw materials. So this must be fixed. Otherwise, we will lose in the competition. Seizing investment and market are our responsibilities,” Jokowi underlined, adding that he would investigate obstacle prompting the low investment and export in the country.
AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI