President, US-ASEAN Business Council investment opportunities

Jakarta (Antaranews babel) - The US-ASEAN Business Council and President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) discussed here on Tuesday several opportunities to increase US investment in the Southeast Asian region, including Indonesia.

"Our mission is to facilitate the United States to increase investment in Southeast Asia, mainly Indonesia," the council's president, Alexander C. Feldman, stated after attending the meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Tuesday.

The council will continue to seek available investment opportunities from the United States in Indonesia, Feldman noted.

Following the discussion, Feldman lauded the efforts of the Indonesian government, whose ease of doing business ranking issued by the World Bank and other rating agencies, had improved.

The chief also pointed out that the local regulation and limited information are still posing a challenge for investors.

However, Feldman admitted that the regulations were formulated to protect the interests of local businessmen in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita remarked that some strategies to attract more investors to the country were also discussed during the meeting.

"Our discussions were fruitful. They (the council) have expressed commitment to continue working with the (Indonesian) government," Lukita noted.

The minister stated that the president had shared some updates on Indonesia's economic reforms and deregulation programs to boost investment.

Lukita emphasized that the council had confirmed that the US investors harbored a positive view of Indonesia.

The US-ASEAN Business Council will organize a three-day meeting that will bring together some 41 US companies and stakeholders in Indonesia.

During the event hosted in Jakarta on Mar 13-15, the organizer will facilitate a bilateral meeting between the Indonesian government and some leaders of foreign companies. The two parties will share some updates on the country's economy as well as opportunities to establish partnership in trade and investment.