Indonesia makes its case at Davos

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 01/27/2012 7:53 PM
A delegation of local officials and business leaders presented opportunities available in Indonesia to participants of the 2012 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland on Friday. Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said that the forum was a strategic opportunity to reinforce Indonesia’s position on the world’s economic map, to promote the country and to attract investors. “The forum will have a positive impact on the country’s economic growth this year and in the years to come,” she said in a statement sent to The Jakarta Post on Friday.
Meanwhile, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, also in Davos, said that the forum offered a strategic moment to establish collaboration between companies, communities and countries. According to the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), investment in the nation was up 20 percent to Rp 251.3 trillion (US$27.9 billion) in 2011, while inflation dipped to 3.79 percent from 5.1 percent in 2010. The delegation hosted an “Indonesia night” on Thursday, promoting the nation’s resources, natural beauty, culinary arts and creative economy.
The delegation also comprised officials from the Foreign Ministry and the office of the Coordinating Economic Minister and representatives from 13 leading Indonesian companies, including state-owned enterprises such as Bank Mandiri and Garuda Indonesia as well as private companies such as Astra Internasional and Indika Energy. (drs)