Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) received the investment mission and a delegation from South Korean companies on Thursday, March 5, amid the COVID-19 outbreak. South Korean companies expressed their interest in investing in the cold storage and asphalt industry in eastern Indonesia.
Accompanied by Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia to the meeting, Director of Sectoral Promotion of BKPM Imam Soejoedi stated the companies' interest provided a signal of optimism of investment in Indonesia amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
"Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Head of BKPM stated, Indonesia still received the investments from foreign and domestic companies. The signal provided optimism in the realization of investment in 2020 despite Indonesia being struck by COVID-19," Imam said in a written statement received in Jakarta, Friday.
South Korea and Indonesia, currently, were facing the COVID-19 outbreak, but the interest of investors to visit each country had not decreased.
South Korean investors were aiming at the cold storage and asphalt industry development in eastern Indonesia, Imam claimed.
The cold storage investment plan would have a crucial impact on the food and beverage industry, fishery industry, fishermen and farmers.
"The construction of a cold storage facility will be done using the most advanced cooling technology, at minus 150 degrees Celsius, to help the durability of the product. Besides, the technology is also environmentally friendly," he explained.
Meanwhile, the investment of asphalt in eastern Indonesia would benefit Indonesia’s trade balance as 80 percent of national asphalt products were still being imported.
The investment was not only open to employment, but also as a substitute for imported products.
"This investment will provide added value. We should elaborate on the investment interest. Not only in the investment figure but also the quality and benefit for the community," he said.
BKPM will control the investment plan until it can be realized. It will also ensure that the two investment plans can ensure higher multiplier effects and empower the local economy.
"BKPM will ask the company to cooperate with entrepreneurs in the region as they can be a part of its supply chain," he stated. (INE)
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