Medan, September 4, 2023 – Indonesia boasts significant potential in Southeast Asia regarding its natural resources and business development. This allure has drawn foreign investors, particularly from India, to invest in Indonesia, specifically in North Sumatra.
From August 9 to 12, 2023, a total of 15 business delegations representing various industrial sectors in India, under the aegis of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), visited North Sumatra. Facilitated by the North Sumatra Provincial Government and the Indian Consulate General in Medan, these business delegates engaged with representatives from Bank Indonesia Sumatra. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Director of the Accounting and Payment System Department, officials from the North Sumatra Provincial Government and the Medan City Government, and representatives from the North Sumatra Chamber of Commerce and Industry, including PT Prima Regional Development.
Arif S. Trinugroho, the Regional Secretary of North Sumatra Province, warmly welcomed the Indian business delegation and presented investment opportunities, including horticulture focusing on the honey orange variety in Karo Regency, the medical device industry for natural rubber in Deli Serdang Regency, the aluminum extrusion industry in Batubara Regency, and the natural panorama in Samosir.
Yura Djalin, the Deputy Director of the Department of Accounting and Payment Systems, highlighted strategic projects in North Sumatra with immense potential in the agricultural sector and its sub-sectors such as food crops, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, forestry, and downstream agriculture. Another priority strategic project is the construction of a hotel at the Lake Toba Caldera resort.
PT Prima Kawasan Pembangunan (PPK), a subsidiary of PT Pelindo Solusi Logistik (SPSL), was also represented at the event. Said Joeanna, the Commercial Manager of PT PPK, presented and promoted the Kuala Tanjung Industrial Estate (KIKT). In his presentation, Said elaborated on several advantages of investing in KIKT, notably emphasizing the efficiency in logistics costs. Furthermore, he highlighted the improved accessibility between India and Medan, thanks to the introduction of direct flights from Chennai to Medan, facilitating investor travel to the city.
In attendance at the event was the Main Director of PT PPK, Jansen Sitohang, who warmly welcomed the delegation to North Sumatra. “We are delighted to receive the delegates in our region, and we hope this marks the beginning of fruitful collaborations between Entrepreneurs, the Provincial Government of North Sumatra, and PT PPK,” Jansen said on August 9.
Consul General of India in Medan, Shubham Singh, expressed his hopes that this meeting would materialize opportunities being discussed. The Indian business delegation represented a wide range of industries, including electric motor vehicles, mobility support, renewable energy, infrastructure, recycling, water management, palm oil, agriculture, health, two and three-wheeled vehicles, medical, tourism, and more.
Shubham expressed the desire for companies from both countries, India and Indonesia, to interact and collaborate as a result of this meeting. He hoped that this meeting would open doors for mutual collaboration.
During this visit, the delegation also had the opportunity to explore investment possibilities in the North Sumatra Special Economic Zone (KEK) – Sei Mangkei Industrial Area and Kuala Tanjung.