Encouraging foreign investment and expanding business linkages is the main focus of an Indonesian Government delegation visiting Canada this week.

The group will take part in the “3rd Indonesia-Canada Bilateral Forum Consultation” in Canada’s Capital City, Ottawa, on 22-23 August 2013.

The delegation is led by Dr. Edwin Manansang, the Acting Assistant Deputy Minister for Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Financing, at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.  Speaking with delegates in Canada, Dr. Manansang said he would like to see greater business-to-business engagement between the two countries.

“We encourage the Canadian business community to examine more closely opportunities in Indonesia,” Dr. Manansang said.

“There is potential for increasing Canadian exports and imports to and from Indonesia.

“I wish also to make the point that Indonesian exporters are seeking to better understand how to access Canada’s market.

“Indonesia is looking to discuss further cooperation in the forestry, labor, agriculture and transportation sectors.”

Dr. Manansang said investment in Indonesia was becoming increasingly more attractive to foreign capital not only because of economic improvements but also due to significant regulatory reform currently underway.

“The Indonesian Government continues to improve the investment climate through the elimination of regulatory bottlenecks and other bureaucratic obstacles,” he said.

“This has seen the strengthening of legal certainty for business and the further development of infrastructure.”

“The challenge for us as policy makers is to find ways to bridge Canadian investors to Indonesia.

“We also look to deepen Canada’s participation in our Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia’s Economic Development (MP3EI) with particular attention to public-private investment in the program.”

Trade between Indonesia and Canada increased by 7.8% between 2008 and 2012 amounting to around US$2.6 billion in 2012.  This trade has focused largely on exchange in sectors such as mining and agriculture.  During the first quarter of 2013 Canadian companies also invested US$64.8 million covering four projects in Indonesia.

Government officials accompanying Dr. Manansang include representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board, the Ministry of Trade and the National Board for Placement and Protection of the Indonesian Overseas Workers.