Nov 17, 2011

ASEAN - Asean governments crucial in spurring private sector investments



Bali, Indonesia (The Brunei Times/ANN) - Asean trade and investment stakeholders suggested the important role of government in supporting the investment conducted by private sector, which may take forms of either equity or debt financing for strategic business sector requiring high level of capital.

Their involvement and support in this would significantly affect the acceleration of national economic development.

Following a closed-door Asean Investment Forum held at the Bali International Convention Centre (BICC) yesterday, a statement released by the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) revealed that a discussion on the topic of co-investment had broadened the important role of the government giving supports to investments carried out by the private sector.

"Moreover, co-investment is expected to provide both economic and social benefits from the utilisation of state fund through generation of the added-value and increase of state revenues as well as high employment rate," the statement said.

"Therefore it is necessary to conduct a thorough feasibility study and prudent risk management in order to maximise the rate of the return while reducing the investment risk," the statement added.

Asean trade and investment stakeholders also believed that investment promotion should be targeted on foreign countries with 'notably high outward investment potency and advanced industry development' to cater to domestic capital.

It is also to encourage the sustainable economic development through the remarkable industry growth supported by advanced skills and technology.

In addition, it is recommended to diversify the sources of capital as it would not only increase the quantity of capital but also lower the risk of future major capital flight.

This was then followed by a discussion on investment servicing, during which Indonesia shared its experience in establishing and implementing the one-stop service as a notable innovative improvement in enhancing public service on investment administration.

The statement said that such integrated system processing various forms of licensing in one place has been believed to assist potential and existing investors in obtaining the investment-related services, fiscal facilities as well as information.

Furthermore, the cheapest, fastest and best delivery will be achieved through the enactment of transparent and certain investment regulation, which would significantly attract foreign investors, the statement added.

The forum continued its discussion on the issue of after-care investment, particularly on investment monitoring and advisory service. The statement said that the forum was advised that the public sector needs to increase the sensitivity and responsiveness in assisting the settlement of various problems faced by investors during the realisation and implementation of their investment.

"Considering that such problems generally involve complex bureaucracy, dispute between investor and state, dispute between investor and society, as well as environmental damage, it is then necessary to have the government and particularly the investment agency to gather and accommodate such problems as well as assisting the settlement and mediating any conflicting interest," the statement said.

Moreover, the statement added, the earlier problem handling towards amicable settlement is more preferable to prevent the wider spread of such effects and the settlement through international judiciary system which may be costly.

The forum also discussed fiscal and non-fiscal investment incentives, which the statement said would attract potential investors to conduct businesses in the domestic market.

The statement said that incentives are considerably needed especially for such specific investment projects as the pioneering industry possessing extensive connections, providing high added-value and externalities, introducing new technology, as well as possessing strategic value for national economy.

"Furthermore, recognising the effect of incentives policy on the tax revenues of the state, the priority then should be given to the investment providing significant rate of job opportunities, belonging to high priority scale, taking form of infrastructure development, and conducted in the remote area," the statement said.

Meanwhile, in the areas of public-private partnership, the forum elaborated its views and experiences, and agreed that the private sector is encouraged to participate in the public facilities development in order to increase the availability of the fund, economies of scale, economies of scope, and technology transfer.

The statement said that strategic partnership between public and private sectors in such investment taking form as infrastructure development requires a fair, clear and transparent distribution of accountability and decision-making authority.

In addition, the implementation of such partnership need to be guided by good governance principles, which may include the community involvement, honest and ethical behaviours, commitment to cooperate, capability to compete, leadership, and towards the sustainable development for general welfare.

The News Desk in Bali//The Brunei Times | ANN



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