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Avoiding legal and regulatory pitfalls in digital transformation projects
This article first appeared in the September 2024 issue of Financier Worldwide.
In Indonesia, the primary legislation governing foreign direct investments (FDI) is Law No. 27 of 2007 regarding Capital Investment (as amended). FDIs are under the supervision and auspices of the Ministry of Investment / Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).
In March 2021, Indonesia adopted a so-called ‘Investment Positive List’ (replacing the previous “Negative List”) through the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 10 of 2021 (as amended by Presidential Regulation No. 49 of 2021) – as the implementing regulation of Law No. 11 of 2020 regarding Job Creation (also known as the Omnibus Law) (Positive List). The Positive List sets out business fields that are (i) closed for investment, (ii) limited to the Indonesian government and (iii) open to investment.
Whilst not subject to screening or prior approval, FDIs are prohibited in the following six strategic sectors (business fields closed for investment):
Investments in defense and security activities, which are reserved for the Indonesian government, are also prohibited. Before adoption of the Positive List, FDI was prohibited in an additional 16 sectors, including: forestry, energy and mineral resources, transportation, tourism, communication and informatics, banking, finance, education and health.
Moreover, investments in many business sectors are subject to certain conditions, such as shareholding composition conditions or certain types of licensing, except when conducted in special economic zones. Under the Positive List, there are 46 such business sectors, but this is not an exhaustive list. For example, Government Regulation 5 of 2021 limits foreign shareholding in certain business sectors related to construction. Further requirements may be imposed specifically by the relevant ministry/agency having authority over certain sectors.
The Positive List also lifted restrictions on many business sectors that were previously restricted/limited for 100% foreign investment. These include, among other, the following sectors:
With the aim of further simplifying business permission through a one-stop web-based business registry platform in Indonesia, Indonesia introduced the Online Single Submission (OSS) system. Following its first inception in 2018, the BKPM introduced the new OSS Risk-Based Approach (OSS RBA) in July 2021. Businesses could access and register with the OSS RBA after first incorporating an Indonesian legal entity i.e. through the execution of a deed of establishment before an Indonesia notary and obtaining an approval of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.
In addition to determining any applicable foreign shareholding limitation, a company’s line of business would also be further categorised to fall into a low-risk business, a medium-low risk business, a medium-high risk business or high-risk business. A low-risk business would mean that it would be sufficient for the company to begin operations mainly by obtaining a Business Identification Number (Nomor Induk Berusaha/NIB). For medium-low and medium-high risk businesses, the company would also need to secure a standard certificate in addition to the NIB. If a business falls into the high-risk category, the company would need to secure further business licences/verifications/permits determined by the relevant government agencies or ministries.
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This article first appeared in the September 2024 issue of Financier Worldwide.
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The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC Act) received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024 and is generally expected to come into force in autumn this year.
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On 26 July 2024, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) jointly released revised rules in respect of the investments into China’s financial market through the Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor and Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (collectively, QFII) regime (the New Rules).
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