JAKARTA. Buoyed by Indonesia’s economic growth despite the global crisis, two German firms have expressed interest in investing in the country’s lucrative nickel processing and gas sectors, Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chief Thomas Lembong says.
One firm is eyeing a project to build a US$ 800 million nickel smelter with an Indonesian state-owned firm, while another is keen to enter the gas sector with an unspecified amount of investment, Lembong said Monday.
Lembong is leading the board’s delegation on a March 15 to 22 visit to Europe, which also covers France, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark.
“We used this working visit as a chance to meet German firms that are keen on investing in Indonesia,” he said in statement.
Lembong emphasized that Indonesia’s continued growth of about 5 percent against the backdrop of a global economic slowdown remained a pull factor in attracting investors to do business in the country.
Realized foreign direct investment in Southeast Asia’s largest economy annually rose by 8.4 percent to $28.9 billion last year, with Germany contributing 4.6 percent of the figure.
In the past five years, Europe’s largest economy spent $13.3 billion in Indonesia, according to BKPM data. (lnd)
