Foreign investment handling

It is good news to hear that the Investment Coordinating Board intends to simplify licensing process for foreign investment. But it would be better if other units, such as the tax department, immigration office and labor department can work hand-in-hand with the board.

Operating in Indonesia is just like operating in an unknown land to many investors. First of all, it is like becoming illiterate or blind as many papers and documents are in Bahasa Indonesia. Investors are mostly not youngsters who can pick up a language fast. We depend on another person to translate. Also, we depend on consultants to advise us or assist us by doing things on our behalf.

The first few years of a new operation are always rough, so it is the priority of the investor to save costs. Sometimes we fall victim to choices; to choose between using a consultant or to engage an assistance. But all choices are imperfect.

Engagement of a consultant is costly and said consultant takes on the job as a project. He will close the file upon collection of his fee and the result will be the investors' baby. If you choose an assistance, again, everybody will tell you that he is a superman during his interview. And if you are lucky to pick the experienced one, you may find that you are employing a boss who tells you what to do. Or, you will find that you are actually getting someone who is using your company as a training ground and you have to clean up the mess later.

Everybody needs to learn, and there is a learning curve for the investor. We have to do things by trial and error. We do make mistakes, and there is always someone waiting. Waiting for us to make a mistake. From there on, investors will become their cash machine.

NG YANG HOUG

Bekasi, West Java