WEBODIGY Business & Finance Journal

JAKARTA – Minister of Industry (Industry Minister) MS Hidayat said the seven companies the United States (U.S.) is ready to expand in Indonesia in this year.

Hidayat said, it was revealed in a meeting of the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) with US-ASEAN Business Council in his office yesterday. “The meeting is a follow-up of the business meeting of the two governments and in some APEC forum,” he said in Jakarta yesterday.

Nevertheless, Hidayat said the two sides have not talked about the value of which will be disbursed investment companies from the U.S.. “It’s just the initial meeting, which will dirjendirjen later follow up, so its value not know how,” he said. He said the seven companies are Caterpillar, Ford Motor Company, The Dow Chemical Company, the Cargill, General Electric Company, Monsanto, and News Corporation.

“The seven companies are interested in several sectors, including infrastructure, commodities, natural resources, and industry kreatif.Caterpillar sectors to expand in the heavy equipment, Ford will expand in the automotive components, News Corporation will work together in creative industries by making films in Indonesian language and English, while Cargill will expand in the health care sector, “he explained.

President of the US-ASEAN Chamber Alexander C Feldman explains, the arrival of her delegation to Indonesia because of interest in helping the Indonesian Government in improving the infrastructure and business climate. “We can help to improve the infrastructure and investment climate in Indonesia, including in terms of energy. U.S. companies interested in continuing the relationship with Indonesia. President Obama will come to Indonesia as soon as possible, “said Alexander.

According to Hidayat, the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama to Indonesia will bring benefits, both economically and socially. He said, U.S. employers still question the contracts the long term, such as gas. “U.S. Employers requested that Indonesia follow a long-term contract has been agreed that Indonesia often do dispute the implementation of long-term contracts,” he said.

Meanwhile, Director General of Transport Equipment and Telematics Budi Darmadi Kemenperin say, the Ford Company to expand its sales in Indonesia since fairly high. “Ford Company intends to build components company in Indonesia, based on the sale of Ford’s high enough, especially types of Rangers. They are interested to expand in sectors not yet have the components for assembly industries in Indonesia, “said Budi.

Budi explains, further talks will be conducted in this weekend. “Thursday will be discussed further their expansion plan. Initially we offer to use the domestic component, “he said. In early 2008, said Budi, Ford had planned to build a plant component, but not realized due to the global crisis.

Vice Chairman of the Division for International Economic Cooperation and Industry Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) Indonesia John A Prasetyo said the U.S. was very interested to collaborate in the creative industry to make films in Indonesian language and English. “Americans see big opportunities the film industry after the actress Julia Indonesia Roberts did shoot in Bali, “added John.

Grew 10%

Food and beverage industry within the country is estimated to have 10 percent growth this year. In the last year, industrial growth was only 6 percent. “Although this year implementing a free trade agreement China-ASEAN (ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement / ACFTA) begin to walk, food and beverage industry remain optimistic will keep growing,” said Chairman of the Joint Food and Beverage Entrepreneur Indonesia (Gapmmi) Thomas Darmawan at Jakarta yesterday.

He said the targets also Gapmmi turnover rate this year rose to 600 trillion from Rp550 trillion in 2009.Menurutnya, the increasing growth of the food and beverage industry is driven by the increased purchasing power which could according to the global crisis during 2008-2009.

“This year civil pengawai salary (PNS) increases, while the lower inflation rate below 6 percent, so that consumers’ purchasing power will increase,” he said. Thomas explained, optimism must be supported by a variety of factors, one of which is the main raw material availability of food and beverage industry.