"I think we need to review DNI. President Joko Widodo has said that there is still steps for further liberalization," Thomas said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The new head of the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong said the Investment Negative List (DNI) needs further liberalization to lure in more investors.

DNI is a list of business areas close to new investment especially for foreign investment.

"I think we need to review DNI. President Joko Widodo has said that there is still steps for further liberalization," Thomas said here on Monday.

Thomas, however, said the possibility is yet to be discussed at a coordinating meeting of economics ministers with the president.

"We would see this year," he said.

When asked about the statement of Coordinating Minister for Maritime, and Natural Resources Luhut Pandjaitan about the possibility of foreign fishing vessels to operate in Natuna waters, Thomas said, "we are still awaiting directives from the Coordinating Minister, the President and the Vice President."

The statement by Luhut has been strongly rejected by Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, who said she would resign if foreign fishing vessels were allowed to operate again in Indonesian waters.

Thomas said, review of DNI could be used to reduce investment in the fisheries sector. He said investment in a number of industries such as cement and rubber processing sectors might need to be stopped as the industries have been over capacity. On the other hand there are sectors need more investment such as the tourism sector.

The government already revised the DNI through the presidential regulation No. 44 in 2016 on List of Business Areas Close and Business Areas Open with Condition in Capital Investment Sector.

Among the sectors opened to foreign investment as a result of the revision include film production, distribution and exhibition (movies).

In the management of hospitals foreign investment is allowed on condition of the use of local content. Cold storage business is fully open for foreign investment.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016