Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, said the Internet giant Google intends to open a branch office in Indonesia. Previously, Google has opened a branch in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
“If they were here there will be many other companies that support their existence here,” Mari said on the sidelines of the Regional Entrepreneurship Summit 2011, Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday (22 / 7). However, he expressed, if Google opened a branch office in Indonesia, takes the role of other parties to support the existence of Google.
Head of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Gita Wirjawan, adding so far there has been no commitment of investment from Google. However, he said that Indonesia is an extraordinary destination for Google’s business.
Gita estimates in the next two months is no development of Google’s initial interest to be present in Indonesia. “Clearly the potential of internet users in the appeal of Google to soon open a representative office such as in Singapore and Malaysia,” says Gita.
Google Planning Facilitation SMEs Indonesia
Google Inc. intends to facilitate the business of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia through the Internet program had. It is delivered by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Google, Eric E. Schmidt, when met in the Regional Entrepreneurship Summit 2011, Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday (22 / 7).
“It (the Internet facilitates) is our highest priority. So we will focus there (SMEs) because Indonesia has a huge potential of SMEs,” Schmidt said.
However, he stated intention is still too early to talk more in depth. The reason is, Google’s move to online to the business of SMEs in Indonesia is limited to discussions. However, Schmidt said he had expressed his intention to the government of Indonesia.
Google’s desire to empower SMEs Indonesia via the Internet is justified by the Minister of Trade, Mari Elka Pangestu. “Indonesia tremendous potential in terms of consumption or companies that can utilize a company like Google,” Mari said. “We hope that as soon as possible (Google’s entry into Indonesia). But we have to coordinate and communication (first),” Mari said.
Google Cancel Investment in Indonesia
Chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI), Erwin Aksa, said Google.Inc has long been interested in investing in Indonesia. However, the intention was not realized because of constrained regulation.
“They see Indonesia as a huge market and the development of the telecommunications industry and the information here very rapidly. However, Google is not given the opportunity to invest because it is constrained by government regulation,” said Erwin, in a press release on Saturday (23 / 7).
According to Erwin, investment falls through google is delivered in a meeting with the Chief Excecutive Officer (CEO) Eric Schmidt in Nusa Dua on the sidelines of the Regional Entrepreneurship Summit. The event, held the Global Entrepreneurship Program Indonesia (GEPI).
Chairman Hipmi revealed that Google’s top brass came to Indonesia to share experiences on the Regional Entrepreneurship Summit was also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton. He also said that the previous government arrested Google’s expansion through the regulation because it feared would control the media market in the country.
Erwin said he expects that Google can actually invest in Indonesia and not just open an office in Indonesia. “Not just open the office, they should also invest more,” he said.
The reason, he added, but will create jobs, Google could also inspire and accommodate intelligent and creative students are widely spread in universities in Indonesia. It is said Erwin, Hipmi deeply concerned many young and talented students overseas migration to Indonesia because Indonesia is not accommodated in. Therefore, Indonesia needs to have a strong creative industries in the field of information technology and communications in order to accommodate talented youth.