How will President Jokowi’s re-election impact foreign investment in Indonesia?

After winning a resounding mandate for a second term in the April 2019 election, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has signalled his intention to accelerate infrastructure upgrades, address skills gaps and further improve the business environment before stepping down in 2024.

The lively and sometimes acrimonious election campaign was watched with interest by international investors, many of whom are hopeful that the president will ease restrictions on foreign investment in Southeast Asia’s largest economy now that he is free from electoral constraints.

On a recent visit to Jakarta, OBG’s regional editor for Asia, Patrick Cooke, met with Thomas Lembong, chairman of the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), to discuss which sectors are ripe for more foreign participation, as well as exploring how the Jokowi 2.0 administration can meet the aspirations of Indonesia’s vast population through policies that promote inclusive growth and sustainable investments.