Jakarta – Following protests by business representatives, the government has stepped back from its policy of removing 54 business sectors from the current negative investment list (DNI).
Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution said on Friday the new policy, which was part of the 16th economic stimulus package was still in the discussion stage.
"We will assess together, not [the government] alone. After this discussion stage, we will sit together and the results will be conveyed to the President," said Darmin as reported by kontan.co.id.
He said he would attend the national leadership meeting of the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) on Nov. 27 to discuss the new DNI with members of the lobby group.
Darmin's statement followed criticism by Kadin and the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) of the policy.
Kadin had called on the government to delay the implementation of the policy, which was initially to be announced next Monday, while Apindo asked the government to cancel the policy because there was no urgency to introduce it.
Initially, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto insisted the government would go ahead with the policy, but Darmin said the discussion with all stakeholders in the coming days were expected to produce a decision that benefited all parties. (bbn)