Jakarta vows to facilitate work permits for expats

Jakarta

AMID collapsing foreign direct investment (FDI) and a slowing economy, Indonesia's "chief salesman", Franky Sibarani, said he was hopeful his agency would roll back a tide of nationalism that has spooked foreign executives.

Speaking to foreign media in Jakarta, Mr Sibarani, who is the chairman of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), said he was hopeful within weeks the government would jettison new rules that have made securing work permits for expats a months-long ordeal.

"We are very focused on this issue," Mr Sibarani told the Jakarta Foreign Correspondents Club (JFCC) on Monday.

Falling demand for the country's energy and minerals has ratcheted up pressure on the administration of President Joko Widodo to generate jobs and government revenue from manufacturing and services. …