According to the latest data of Indonesia's Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), growth of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia in the first quarter of 2017 was recorded at a modest pace of 0.9 percent year-to-year (y/y) to IDR 97 trillion, sliding further from a growth pace of 2.1 percent (y/y) in the preceding quarter. Declining FDI is attributed to the ethnic and religious tensions in Jakarta (surrounding the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election) as well as persistent global uncertainties. The FDI data exclude investment in the country's banking and the oil & gas sector.

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The economies of Indonesia and other countries in Southeast Asia may feel the impact of US President Donald Trump's impending tax reforms. Currently markets are focused on these reforms. On Wednesday (26/04) Trump is set to propose steep cuts in US corporate taxes (from 35 percent to 15 percent) and the tax rate on offshore earnings that are repatriated (from 35 percent to 10 percent), while individual taxes will be simplified. These proposals will require US Congress approval before implementation.

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The visit of American Vice President Mike Pence to Indonesia was fruitful in terms of investment. A total of 11 commercial and investment deals were signed between Indonesian and US companies that is estimated to have a combined value of USD $10 billion. On Thursday morning (20/04) Pence met Indonesian President Joko Widodo to discuss overcoming obstacles that limit bilateral trade and investment between both nations. One day later Pence departed to Australia.

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Worldwide famous brand Coca Cola strengthened its presence in Indonesia by opening a USD $30 million production line in Bekasi (West Java). The new production line is owned by Coca Cola Bottling Indonesia, the local unit of Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA). The latter is the largest bottler and distributor of ready-to-drink beverages in the Asia-Pacific region, and one of the largest bottlers of The Coca Cola Company. CCA operates in Australia (where its headquarters are based), New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Samoa.

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Although Mercedes-Benz has a long history in Indonesia, it only opened its first body and paint service center in Southeast Asia's largest economy on Friday (31/03). The facility's exact location is the Cakrawala Automotif Rabhasa facility, plotted on 11,000 square meters of land in Tangerang (Banten). Here consumers can bring their Mercedez-Benz for authorized repair services with quality and safety assurance that is certified by Germany's Daimler, Mercedes' parent company.

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American multinational technology company Apple Inc soon has to realize 40 percent of its total USD $44 million worth of investment plans in Indonesia if it wants to keep distributing its iPhone 7 on the Indonesian market. Late last year Apple committed itself to invest a total of USD $44 million in the establishment of innovation centers in Indonesia over the next three years. However, 40 percent of the total is required to be invested in the first year (which is 2017).

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The visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia between 1-9 March 2017 is expected to result in a boost of foreign direct investment (FDI) from the Middle Eastern nation into Indonesia. During his state visit to Indonesia, the Saudi king is expected to sign a USD $6 billion investment agreement related to a refinery complex in Cilacap (Central Java) that is owned by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco), widely regarded as one of the world's most valuable companies, and Indonesia's state-owned energy company Pertamina.

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The Yamaha Corporation plans to invest IDR 568.5 billion (approx. USD $43 million) to develop a musical instrument manufacturing factory in Indonesia. Japan-based Yamaha Corporation is a multinational with a wide range of products and services, including musical instruments, electronics, motorcycles and power sports equipment. Earlier this week Yamaha announced it has established a new subsidiary in Indonesia: Yamaha Musical Products Asia (YMPA).

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Indonesia's manufacturing sector is targeted to provide employment to a total of 16.3 million workers in 2017, up 5 percent from 15.5 million workers in the preceding year. As such, development of the manufacturing industry is a good strategy to reduce Indonesia's unemployment rate. Industries within the manufacturing sector of Indonesia that absorb the highest number of workers are the textile, footwear, food & beverage, and automotive industries.

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Investment in Indonesia is expected to rise in 2017. This covers both direct investment and portfolio investment. Domestic direct investment (DDI) should grow on the back of Indonesia's low interest rate environment (making it cheaper for domestic investors to purchase credit) as well as higher capital injections (from the state budget) into Indonesia's state-owned enterprises. Meanwhile, foreign direct investment (FDI) is expected to rise on the back of Indonesia's accelerating economic growth and government reforms. Both FDI and DDI should also rise amid rising commodity prices.

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Indonesia's balance of payments registered a deficit in the first quarter of 2016. Based on the latest data from Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia), the deficit stood at USD $287 million in Q1-2016, down from a USD $1.3 billion surplus in the same quarter last year. The balance of payments deficit was the result of the nation's Q1-2016 capital and financial transaction surpluses (USD $4.17 billion) not being able to cover the current account deficit (CAD). Indonesia's Q1-2016 CAD shrank to USD $4.67 billion, or 2.14 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP).

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The new negative investment list 2016 is not yet issued by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. However along with the launch of the tenth economic policy package, the government is currently processing the new draft of this list. Although not yet issued, in this column we discuss the most likely changes to be implemented in the new negative investment list 2016. The current draft regulation removes 35 business fields form the negative investment list. Besides that, more business fields are reserved for small and medium sized companies (local companies).

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Until 19 March, a Belgian mission - led by Princess Astrid, accompanied by four ministers and 301 participants (including 127 company representatives) - visits Indonesia in an effort to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation between both nations and boost foreign direct investment from Belgium into Indonesia. According to the Belgian Embassy, the ongoing mission in Indonesia is the fifth - and largest ever - economic mission conducted by Belgium in Southeast Asia's largest economy. Belgium is the fifth-largest investor from the European Union (EU).

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Although the palm oil industry of Indonesia is resented by many for the negative impact it has on mother nature (for example the seasonal forest fires that occur on parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan), it also constitutes a vital industry: across the globe crude palm oil (CPO) is used for the production of a wide variety of products from food, cooking oil to cosmetics or biodiesel. Indonesia is the world's largest producer and exporter of CPO. This column is the first installment in a series, written by Senior Consultant William Yang, that discusses Indonesia's palm oil industry, particularly the different business models, the risks, and how to invest safely in this industry.

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In order to improve communication and avoid language barriers, the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) plans to open a special service desk for Chinese investors. BKPM, the investment services agency of the Indonesian government, sees language barriers between Chinese investors and Indonesians as a major obstacle; one that blocks foreign direct investment from China into Indonesia. The new desk, specifically for investment from China or Hong Kong, should improve communication hence improving realization of China's investment plans.

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When the Indonesian government unveiled Ministry of Manpower Regulation No. 16/2015 in July, foreign companies in Indonesia became nervous. The regulation required that for every foreign worker (expat) in Indonesia, 10 locals would need to be hired. Although the regulation would not work retroactively, while new foreign companies in Indonesia would be allowed to hire low-paid non-permanent staff (such as office boys or drivers), the regulation met resistance from international chambers of commerce.

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The World Investment Report 2015 states that inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Indonesia grew 20 percent (y/y) to USD $23 billion in 2014. As such FDI growth in Indonesia outpaced FDI growth recorded in Singapore (+4 percent y/y to USD $68 billion) and Vietnam (+3 percent to USD $9.2 billion), causing optimism that Indonesia - Southeast Asia's largest economy - will continue to form a lucrative investment destination in the Asian continent for foreign investors in the years ahead.

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Investment realization in Indonesia in the first quarter of 2015 totaled IDR 124.6 trillion (USD $9.7 billion), up 16.9 percent from the same quarter last year. Domestic direct investment climbed 22.8 percent (y/y) to IDR 42.5 trillion, while foreign direct investment (FDI) rose 14 percent (y/y) to IDR 82.1 trillion in Q1-2015. These data, released by the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) on Tuesday (28/04), brought some positivity in Indonesia after listed companies’ weak Q1-2015 financial results led to concern and capital outflow.

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The Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) announced that foreign and domestic direct investment realization in Indonesia totalled IDR 463.1 trillion (USD $37 billion) in 2014, a 16.2 percent increase from the previous year and exceeding the target that was set previously. This is a positive result as 2014 was expected to be a rather bleak year in terms of direct investment amid political uncertainties triggered by the (fragmented results) of the country’s legislative and presidential elections.

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The obligation for foreign companies to perform a divestment of part their shares to Indonesian companies has raised already much discussion among foreign investors. Before the enactment of BKPM regulation number 5/2013 on Guidelines and Procedures on Licensing and Non-licensing of Capital Investment as amended by BPKM regulation number 12/2013 (BKPM Regulation), divestment was required for all foreign companies (PMA) in Indonesia. The new regime of the BKPM Regulation removes this obligation, even though there are still sectors in Indonesia which require foreign companies to divest, such as the mining sector.

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