Although Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Oct. 26 told US President Barack Obama that Indonesia plans to join the omnibus Trans-Pacific Partnership that the US has forged with 12 Pacific Rim nations, qualifying for the deal and overcoming domestic political opposition will both be major hurdles.

Indonesia plans to invite foreign investors to build and operate special economic zones (SEZs) to boost sluggish economic and job growth in South-east Asia's largest economy. The country currently has nine SEZs, including the Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK)special economic zone, and wants to build...