We have cooperated with the Indonesian embassy in Seoul to organize meetings ..."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has received investment commitments to the tune of US$9.7 billion from South Korean investors, Franky Sibarani stated here on Friday.

"We have cooperated with the Indonesian embassy in Seoul to organize meetings with both existing and new South Korean investors who we hope will invest in Indonesia," noted in a written statement.

During their visit to South Korea, the BKPM officials held a meeting on Thursday (May 7) with investors from that country to attract investment into Indonesia.

Franky remarked that the investment commitments made at the investors forum meeting were for a petrochemical industry in Banten, West Java, worth US$4 billion; synthetic natural gas/coal gasification industry in South Sumatra worth US$2.8 billion; and for investment in North Kalimantan worth US$2.79 billion.

Apart from them, the investment commitments were also received to setup a sweetener industry in East Java worth US$0.07 billion, a power plant in East Java worth US$0.03 billion, animal feed industry in East Java worth US$0.037 billion, and a pharmaceutical industry in West Java worth US$0.02 billion.

Franky stated that during the meeting, South Korean investors expressed keen interest to invest in Indonesia.

He noted that the BKPM will continue to escort and facilitate the realization of the commitments.

"One of the facilities to be provided is increased coordination between the central and regional governments as well as the concerned offices to minimize hurdles in the process of realizing the investment commitments," he emphasized.

Azhar Lubis, the deputy for investment implementation and control, remarked that several South Korean companies had accepted the investment opportunities offered by the Indonesian government.

"The investment opportunities offered include hydropower plant projects in Lampung, Sumatra, with 90-megawatt (MW) and 55-MW capacity and a garment industry in Central Java that would absorb four thousand workers," he noted.

South Korea has so far been one of the countries to have significantly invested in Indonesia.

During the period between 2010 and March 2015, South Korean investment in Indonesia has reached US$7.46 billion and is ranked fourth among the largest investors in the country after Singapore, Japan, and the United States.

(Reporting by Ade Irma Junida/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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