British firms in RI for long term: BritCham<\/p>\n
Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
John B. Arnold, OBE, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce
\nor BritCham, was transferred to Jakarta in October 1983, a time
\nwhen Indonesia's economy was viewed as the sleeping tiger of
\nSoutheast Asia.<\/p>\n
\"Certainly the driver behind my firm's desire to place a
\nsenior expatriate in Jakarta was a perception that by 1983 the
\ntiger was at least stirring,\" Arnold said in the book 400 years
\nand more of the British in Indonesia by Richard Mann.<\/p>\n
More than two decades later, he said that today the tiger was
\nstretching its back and maybe beginning to flex its muscles.<\/p>\n
\"If the tiger is moving, it's certainly just walking, not yet
\nrunning and has the tendency to go back to sleep again. The
\ntrainer should see whether the tiger can now really wake up and
\nroar. It has the potential to do so. But for now, it may be more
\na pussy cat than a tiger,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, he said that the British business community in
\nthe country was very receptive to what it was hearing from
\nPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as regards his priorities, his
\nviews on the role of foreign investment in Indonesia and what
\nneeded to be done to attract more investment.<\/p>\n
He went on to say that it would be helpful for business
\nplayers if the current administration defined measurable outcomes
\nwhich stakeholders could use to evaluate progress.<\/p>\n
\"We know things are happening, but what and what next?\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
However, he warned that while undertaking internal reform,
\nIndonesia had to recognize that global investment flows were
\nbeing attracted to other places around the world such as China,
\nIndia and Eastern Europe.<\/p>\n
\"What Indonesia is struggling to do now is to manage negative
\nperceptions. But then you will need to take it to the next level
\nand create a positive perception that Indonesia is a great place to
\ndo business, not just a place where you can do business,\" said
\nArnold.<\/p>\n
Moreover, he was concerned by the fact that industry players
\nin Europe, particularly in Britain, barely noticed Indonesia on
\ntheir radar screens.<\/p>\n
Firms that had long been established here kept looking for new
\nopportunities in Indonesia, but the country was missing out on
\ninvestment from new firms emerging in Europe at the moment, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Separately, BritCham executive director Gary Andrews said
\nIndonesia needed to stage a road show or other promotional
\nmeasures to attract British investors as the country was not
\nreally being looked at.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia needs to be sold to British investors,\" Andrews
\ntold the Post, adding that highlighting the successes of existing
\ncompanies was a good way of attracting new investors.<\/p>\n
Britain is one of the largest investors in the country, and
\nBritish firms that have invested here are supportive and prepared
\nto stay here for the long term, he said. But the problem would be
\nto convince new investors.<\/p>\n
Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) data show that approvals
\nfor investment proposals from the United Kingdom topped the list
\nin the first six months of the year with investment commitments
\nof US$1.16 billion being made. The UK was followed by Singapore,
\nCanada and Japan.<\/p>\n
Andrews noted that BritCham had an interest in seeing
\nIndonesia's economy growing rapidly, and investment, especially
\nfrom British companies, continue flowing so that its existence
\nbecame more meaningful.<\/p>\n
\"We exist because we have a certain number of members, and
\nthey are all residents, investors and business players in the
\ncountry. If that shrinks, our viability is smaller, if it grows,
\nour viability is greater,\" Andrews said.<\/p>\n
\"So, we have a vested interest in being able to promote
\nIndonesia as an investment and business destination. But if the
\ngovernment doesn't give us the tools, then we will have a
\ndifficult job,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/british-firms-in-ri-for-long-term-britcham-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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