Immigration Holds Multiple Entry Visa Trial
The Directorate General of Immigration started a trial for the multiple entry visa (VKBP) on Nov 22, which aims to help global business players, potential investors, and other foreign nationals with business interests in Indonesia. Foreign nationals using the multiple entry visa require a guarantor business based in Indonesia and have to pay Rp 3 million per person per year. The holder of the multiple entry visa will be able to enter Indonesia multiple times without having to renew their visa, with each entry valid for 60 days.
Requirements for the VKBP:
- Passport valid for at least 18 months
- Letter of guarantee from guarantor (unless for the purpose of tourism)
- Proof of living expenses while in Indonesia of at least $2,000 or equivalent
- Return or onward ticket
- Recent color photo taken within the last three months with a white background
- A statement letter of willingness to comply with applicable health protocols in Indonesia, including proof of receiving full Covid-19 vaccination doses, along with proof of ownership of health insurance and/or statement letter of willingness to independently finance themselves if they were to contract Covid-19 while in Indonesia.
Following the announcement of the trial, Acting Director General of Immigration Widodo Ekatjahjan revealed his resignation for personal reasons. Experts were shocked at his decision as many innovations and reforms, including the second home visa and shortened immigration services, were launched during his tenure. He was also a strong candidate for the upcoming selection of the new Director General of Immigration.
Related links:
- https://www.imigrasi.go.id/id/2022/11/22/siaran-pers-bidik-pebisnis-global-dan-investor-asing-berkelas-imigrasi-uji-coba-kebijakan-multiple-entry-visa/
- https://news.detik.com/berita/d-6423645/ahli-hukum-uns-plt-widodo-tak-seharusnya-mundur-dari-bursa-dirjen-imigrasi
A Hole In One For AmCham Thanksgiving Golf Tournament
Dubbed the most anticipated AmCham Indonesia event of the year, the Thanksgiving Golf Tournament once again lived up to its name, adding a lot fun to the Thanksgiving week.
The 2022 Thanksgiving Day Golf Tournament at the Emeralda Golf Club on Nov 24 successfully drew 148 enthusiastic players. The Texas Scramble party started early in the morning, with a delicious breakfast and a chance for golfers to finally meet again after a two-year pause.
President Director and CEO of AIG Insurance Indonesia Robert Logie and USAID Mission Director Jeffery Cohen hit the smoke ball to kick off the event. It was a perfect day for golf, as the sky cleared and the sun came out just as the players drove away in their buggies to play.
After the game, players indulged in the traditional Thanksgiving meal provided by our Diamond Sponsor, JS Luwansa Hotel & Convention Center Jakarta. AmCham Managing Director A Lin Neumann then took the stage to conduct the lucky draw and announce the winning team.
Congratulations to the foursome: Noah Haji, Seema Haji, Eli Moselle and Annemarie Kraan. Aaron Nio, Andrew Lee, Chris Sebastian and William Sjaichudin took second place, followed by Gaurav Shirke, Fernando Gaggino, Srinivas Murthy and Willi Goldschmidt.
A big round of applause for Marcell Heilijigers, who won the Nearest to the Pin trophy at 125 cm; Marco Sebastian for hitting the Longest Drive at 278 meters; Brian Dusza for winning the Nearest to the Turkey novelty prize; and Wida Landry for landing the ball 3 cm from the pumpkin.
Also, congratulations to the winners of a Samsung TV 65-inch sponsored by the Korean Chamber of Commerce (Rezky Supriadi), 85,000 miles of JAL Milage Bank sponsored by Japanese Airlines and American Airlines (Lucas Sheard), and return tickets for Jakarta-Istanbul-Jakarta from Turkish Airlines (Lee Kang Hyun).
AmCham also expresses gratitude to all of the tournament sponsors. Thank you to the Diamond Sponsor, The JS Luwansa Hotel & Convention Center Jakarta; and the Platinum Sponsors, Exxon Mobil and Oakwood Premier Cozmo Jakarta. We also thank all of our Gold Sponsors, Silver Sponsors and Partners.
We hope to celebrate Thanksgiving with you again next year. Happy Thanksgiving!
AmCham Cares: Danone
Danone-AQUA started the #BijakBerplastik movement in 2018 to support the government’s program to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the oceans by 70 percent in 2025. This has had a significant impact on the environment and caused a change in people’s lifestyles.
It has reduced the amount of burned waste, eliminating emissions of up to 36,369 tons of CO2, or equivalent to saving emissions from traveling 5,288 times around the earth with gasoline-fueled cars, or equivalent to reducing the carbon footprint in South Jakarta by 0.17 percent.
Reusable gallon packaging contributes Rp 460 billion to GDP. This includes job creation, both direct with a total of 13,316 people and indirect at 3,416, partly driven by the AQUA Home Service (AHS) program.
Related link:
Let Us Know Your Recent Social Responsibility Initiatives!
We have received positive responses for this program and would like to continue featuring your CSR stories and best practices. It is wonderful to learn the great things that our members are doing for the community.
Contact [email protected]with your CSR stories.
Prioritized Bills for 2023 National Legislation Program
The Legislation Committee (Baleg) of the House of Representatives (DPR) has approved 41 proposed revisions and bills in the 2023 Priority National Legislation Program (Prolegnas), two of which are the Omnibus Financial Sector Development and Strengthening Reform Bill (RUU PPSK), and the amendment to Law 3/2022 concerning the new capital city Nusantara (IKN).
The financial sector bill officially became a DPR initiated bill during a DPR plenary session on Sept 20, and has been included in the National Legislation Program since 2021. The government has started talks with the DPR on the bill, with the ministries of finance, investment, cooperatives and SMEs, and justice and human rights involved in the RUU PPSK working committee.
Meanwhile, the proposed amendment to the IKN law is a new entry to the Prolegnas. While the law itself was passed earlier this year, the government sees many dynamics and developments that require revision. The amendments would cover changes in the funding mechanism, easing investment facilitation, progressive land rights provisions, and the overall sustainability of the project.
Related links:
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20221123234846-32-877901/daftar-41-ruu-usulan-prolegnas-prioritas-2023-termasuk-revisi-uu-ikn
- https://www.republika.co.id/berita/rlshqw409/pemerintah-ajukan-dua-ruu-masuk-prolegnas-2023-salah-satunya-revisi-uu-ikn
APINDO and KADIN Seek Judicial Review of Minimum Wage Policy
Following the release of Decree of the Minister of Manpower 18/2022 to increase the 2023 Minimum Wage (UMP) by up to 10 percent, the Indonesian Employer’s Association (APINDO) and Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) have voiced their concerns. Based on legal and economic considerations, both are in the process of submitting a judicial review of the ministerial decree. APINDO has appointed former Vice Minister of Law and Human Rights Denny Indrayana to lead the submission of the judicial review.
The looming recession is the main reason for concern over the decree, according to APINDO Chairman Haryadi Sukamdani. He said protection of the business environment and investment stability must come first. KADIN Chairman Arsjad Rasjid also said there is a legal problem regarding the decree. As the Omnibus Job Creation Law is under a two year revision period, he said there cannot be any regulations made in relation to its implementation.
Related link:
Second Covid-19 Vaccine Booster for Elderly Now Available
The Ministry of Health has approved the administration of the second Covid-19 booster vaccine for those over 60 and health professionals, following the increasing number of daily cases at national and global levels. Vaccines which have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the National Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and an Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) recommendation can be used as the second booster, which can be administered at least six months after the initial booster.
The policy comes under Ministry of Health Circular Letter HK.02.02/C/5565/2022, effective Nov 22. A decision has not yet been made on the administration of the second booster dose for the public, Ministry of Health Covid-19 spokesperson M Syahril said.
Related links:
- https://sehatnegeriku.kemkes.go.id/baca/umum/20221122/0341823/beri-perlindungan-tambahan-lansia-diberikan-vaksin-booster-kedua/
- https://nasional.kontan.co.id/news/kapan-vaksinasi-booster-kedua-untuk-masyarakat-umum
$500m ADB Loan to Improve SOE Efficiency
The Asian Development Bank has approved a $500 million loan to help Indonesia reform its state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The program aims to improve SOEs' efficiency, financial viability, and corporate governance by focusing more on core operations. It will also include programs to improve the quality of SOEs' boards and transition to a climate-compatible business model. The German Development Bank KfW will also provide co-financing with a $310 million loan.
The Indonesian government has made efforts to downsize SOEs in recent years, including forming holding companies for firms with good prospects and liquidating underperforming firms. The efforts have resulted in significant, internationally-recognized reforms, SOEs' minister Erick Thohir said.
Related links:
- https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2022/11/20/adb-provides-us500-million-loan-to-help-indonesia-downsize-soes.html
- https://ekonomi.bisnis.com/read/20221119/9/1599899/adb-beri-pinjaman-rp78-triliun-untuk-dukung-reformasi-bumn
Now is the Time to Join AmCham!
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We offer a full slate of meetings, events, and information for our community online. But we can only do this through the support of our members. If you are not yet an AmCham member, please join now.
AmCham Indonesia is open to all companies with an interest in US business relations and we have many non-American members. We are a community and we welcome you!
Reach us at [email protected] or click below!
AmCham Office and Events
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The AmCham Office is transitioning back to the office. We are still maximizing online meetings, using the Zoom platform, but starting to have in-person meetings. You will be notified of the meetings as they are scheduled.
What is Your Company Doing on COVID-19?
Please let us know what measures your company may be taking in the form of donations and other assistance to help Indonesia during this time of confusion and concern. Contact [email protected] with your news. We would like to publicize the ways that our AmCham companies are pitching in.
Stay well
We urge you to send us press releases and other information that we can pass on to the broader AmCham community. If you have items of interest, please email material to [email protected]. Follow this link to information provided by the US Embassy
Stay safe, call a doctor if you have a high fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Stay healthy above all else.
AmCham Update is AmCham's regular newsletter on developments related to the pandemic crisis and other issues in Indonesia. It is edited by AmCham Managing Director A Lin Neumann and written by the AmCham Staff. Paul L Goddard is the Managing Editor.
