Apindo: Workforce Development Key to Attracting Future Industry Investment
Jakarta - The Chairperson of the Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo), Shinta W. Kamdani, has stated that human resource (HR) development is a key factor in attracting future high-tech industry investment, such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and new and renewable energy.
Speaking after receiving a Chinese business delegation at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs in Jakarta on Thursday, Shinta said that workforce skills development was one of the topics discussed during the meeting between the government and the Chinese business delegation.
According to her, improving HR quality must go hand in hand with the government’s efforts to attract investment in high-value-added sectors. The forum was also attended by representatives from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), who are exploring cooperation opportunities in education and training.
“Cooperation in education is also to support the workforce so that we are ready with a workforce that can be used to develop new industries, or what we call the industries of the future,” Shinta said.
She added that Apindo is ready to encourage partnerships between Indonesian and Chinese businesses to support the entry of investment into these strategic sectors. She noted that China is one of Indonesia’s largest trade and investment partners, so the opportunity to attract more investment from the country remains very significant.
Furthermore, she stressed the need to continue assisting Chinese investors already operating in Indonesia to help them identify various challenges and business development opportunities with local partners.
On the same occasion, Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun stated that Chinese investors have shown significant interest in several new high-tech sectors. He noted that besides energy transformation, there is also interest in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and other technologies.
“These are new fields that we are pursuing, and so far, from our communications with them, the interest is quite significant,” Djauhari said. He explained that the Chinese business delegation attending the meeting came from various sectors, including semiconductors, AI, renewable energy, and health.
According to data from the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), investment realisation from Hong Kong and China into Indonesia reached approximately 10 billion US dollars in the first half of 2026. Hong Kong was the largest foreign investor in Indonesia during that period, while China ranked third after Singapore.