Industry Players Highlight Recurring Investment Barriers in Regions

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Industrial Estates Association (HKI) has highlighted recurring investment barriers in regional areas, ranging from convoluted permitting processes to uncertainties in spatial planning. HKI General Chairman Akhmad Maruf Maulana stated that these issues remain unresolved consistently from year to year. This situation is seen as the main obstacle to realising investments. He mentioned that the establishment of the Debottlenecking Task Force by President Prabowo Subianto should be directed towards dismantling problems in the field, rather than merely adding layers of policy. “The key is the speed of execution, regulatory certainty, and the courage to address obstacles in the field, particularly in the regions. If this can be done consistently, Indonesia has great potential to become the main destination for global industrial relocation,” Maruf said in a press statement on Thursday (2/4/2026). Maruf assessed that without direct intervention, these barriers will continue to recur even as new policies are continuously launched. “Amid various obstacles, there are always opportunities. The current geopolitical situation must be used as a momentum to improve ourselves while accelerating steps to attract global investment,” he said. He also warned of the potential misuse of the government’s name in the investment process. Such practices are seen as damaging investor trust and worsening the business climate. However, these opportunities are deemed likely to be lost if basic problems are not addressed. Regulatory certainty and permitting speed are determining factors. HKI stated that it will push for synergy with the central and regional governments. The main focus is directed towards improving concrete obstacles in the field so that investments are not continuously stalled.