Minister calls on investor not to ?wait and see?
Monday, October 21 2013 - 10:06 AM WIB
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Jero Wacik called on oil and gas investors to run their business as usual and continue their investment, rather than taking a ?wait and see? stance in anticipation of a change in the government next year.
Indonesia will hold general elections next year to choose a new president to replace President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Jero said companies that have made their work program and budget (WP&B) should realize plans specified in the WP&B. Companies which already have plans to invest in Indonesia should pursue on their plan since whoever will become the new president, he or she would support the development of energy sector in the country.
He noted that Indonesia now has a 45-million strong middle class and the number of middle class citizens will increase to 135 million in 2030. The increase in the number of middle class people will push the demand for energy significantly higher, he said in his speech at the IATMI Oil and Gas Forum in Jakarta on Monday.
?Now with 45 million middle class people, so much energy is needed. What will happen if Indonesia has 135 million middle class people?? he said.
Editing by Johannes Simbolon