U.S. understands RI?s new mining policy
Tuesday, May 7 2013 - 01:03 AM WIB
The United States Ambassador to Indonesia Scot Marciel said that he could understand the Indonesian latest government policy on the mining sector, and expected US firms to continue to invest in Indonesia.
"Yes," he said, when asked whether he could understand the latest Indonesian government policy on the mining sector, which requires the domestic processing of coal and mineral ores starting 2014 in a bid to generate greater added value, which essentially bans the export of the raw materials. US mining giants such as PT Freeport Indonesia, and PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara will be affected by the policy.
"Well, every government has the right to set its own regulation. What would we say is because investment in energy and mining, especially are billions of dollars options and very long term, the more certainty and clarity there is, the easier for companies to make investment decision," the Ambassador said Monday on the side lines of a workshop on gas in Jakarta.
"The commitment from our government is to continue to work together. We certainly hope though that our companies will continue to invest here," he said.
The ambassador expected the investment climate in Indonesia to encourage U.S. firms to keep investing in the country.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak