Indonesia’s “Big-Bang” liberalisation

Indonesia has issued new regulations opening dozens of business sectors to foreign investors, a measure described by President Joko Widodo as a “Big Bang” liberalisation of the economy.

Widodo signed a new presidential decree during his administration easing restrictions on a range of enterprises including tourism businesses, transportation companies, service sector and movie theatres.

Indonesia’s economic planning has been guided by a 20-year development plan, the Master Plan for Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia’s Economic Development (MP3EI), which runs from 2005 to 2025 and is divided into five-year periods. Under MP3EI the country has targeted becoming one of the world’s “developed” countries by 2025.

Political, social and economic situation in Indonesia

(Source: Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index, Indonesia, 2017)

In five years, the Green Prosperity Project of MCA-Indonesia has paved the way for poverty reduction through sustainable economic growth. Numerous lessons learned and achievements are accomplished in the journey, which aims to support commitment of Government of Indonesia for sustainable and equitable economic growth, As a growing number of people become acutely aware of the need to protect the environment, the demand for goods and services that are sensitive to such inclinations will undoubtedly increase.

Green investment opportunities for infrastructure in Asian countries pie chart

(Source: THE ASEAN POST – Going green with infrastructure investments)

A 2017 report by Singaporean financial services group, DBS and the United Nations (UN) has indicated that ASEAN’s total green financing opportunities lie at US$3 trillion between 2016 and 2030. Indonesia is accounting for 37% of the potential Investments in green infrastructure among ASEAN countries.