VW And GM Exploring Possibilities To Invest In Indonesia

Jakarta, April 22 (Antara) - Two automotive giants, VW from Germany and GM from the US, have expressed interest to invest in Indonesia, Investment Coordinating Agency (BKPM) chief Chatib Basri said. "They have shown their seriousness to invest here," he said after exposing realization of foreign and domestic investment in the first quarter this year here on Monday. He said representatives of VW and General Motors came to Indonesia last week "to express their interest to invest." Representatives from the two companies wished to study and personally observe process of investment with regard to preparations they have to make if they realize their plan. "The plan of VW and GM to enter Indonesia is a positive thing for Indonesia`s economy," he said. Chatib however could not as yet tell how much they would invest or when they would realize the investment. He only said that besides Japan it was found that German and US automotive companies have also been interested to invest in Indonesia. Chatib said that Apple Inc., a top technology company, would also immediately realize its investment plan in the country. The California-based company has already submitted its business license to Indonesia, he said. "Let us just wait because the business license was already signed in January 2013. In view of that we hope Apple would immediately realize its plan," he said. He said he hoped Apple`s presence in Indonesia would have a positive effect on the country`s industry as it would certainly be followed by other information technology companies because Apple has become the world`s icon. BKPM recorded foreign and domestic investment grew 30.6 percent in the first quarter to Rp93 trillion. Realization of domestic investment was up 39.6 percent to Rp27.5 trillion while foreign investment grew 27.2 percent to Rp51.5 trillion.