Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan echoed Indonesian government's readiness to provide incentives to attract investment from Apple Inc., akin to what India and Thailand offered.

"If (Apple Inc.) gets incentive facilities like in India and Thailand, we (Indonesia) can also provide the same," he stated on his official Instagram account @luhut.pandjaitan, as observed from here on Thursday.

Citing an example, Pandjaitan highlighted that one of the incentives that can be offered by the Indonesian government to Apple is the ease on import duties on Apple components.

"They have goods that we have not been able to produce, and we need them to produce other goods. Thus, why do we need to impose tax on them?" he pointed out.

According to the minister, Indonesia should emulate Thailand and India that had tweaked their domestic regulations to attract Apple's investment.

"If our regulations hinder (investment), we do have to change it," he emphasized.

Related news: Indonesia pushes business matching with Apple

Related news: Widodo asks Apple to launch innovation center with varsities


Pandjaitan made this statement related to a meeting between President Joko Widodo and Apple CEO Tim Cook at the Jakarta Presidential Palace on Wednesday (April 17).

Pandjaitan said that the duo spoke about strategic plans, including Apple's expansion plans and Indonesia's integration into the global supply chain.

"The meeting was very productive because he just realized that Indonesia is a very potential country, with its population of 282 million people, stable economic growth, and good macroeconomy," he stated.

He added, Tim Cook said Indonesia is one of Apple's investment targets.

"The president ordered me to follow up on all of this. We will immediately work on this, and I hope in the future, we will hold a technical meeting with the Apple team," he remarked.

Related news: Apple welcomes RI's request for its involvement in developing IKN

Translator: Putu S, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2024