The Indonesian government is actively engaging with foreign investors for the construction of the IKN in East Kalimantan, with several French and Dutch companies being potential partners.
France, which had a per capita income of US$ 40,964 (2022) according to the Macrotrends, has recently become the focus of the IKN Authority’s efforts to explore collaboration opportunities.
On October 4, 2023, the Head of the IKN Authority (OIKN), Bambang Soesantono, is set to attend the Indonesia – France 2023 Business Forum in Paris. Afterward, seeks to find opportunities in France.
During the event organized by the Embassy of Indonesia in Paris and MEDEF (Mouvement des Entreprises de France), Bambang will be a keynote speaker.
“We certainly want to find investment opportunities and cooperation for IKN. Some of them are follow-ups with parties we have previously approached,” said Bambang.
Bambang mentioned that the IKN team had previously held online meetings with several potential investors. However, this face-to-face meeting is a pivotal moment for both parties and serves as a benchmark.
While Bambang did not specify any particular targets, he expressed confidence that this meeting would unlock the potential for cooperation, particularly in the field of technology.
“I am optimistic that there is much we can explore, especially in technology,” Bambang stated.
The event will continue with more intensive group discussions. Some of the companies scheduled to participate include Archetype Group, Egis, Kaptels, and Hydrogene De France (HDF).
As part of the IKN’s commitment to becoming a green city, Bambang will also meet with Gerard Wolff, Senior Advisor for Sustainable City Program from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of Sustainable City Acceleration MEDEF.
On the same day, Bambang will engage in discussions with the managers of the Louvre Museum in Paris. This meeting is part of the IKN’s mission to be a culturally rich city.
“One of our missions is to fill IKN with facilities that can be attractive,” Bambang stated.
In addition to Paris, the Netherlands is also on Bambang’s and the team’s itinerary. In the Windmill Country, they will visit the Deltares Office in the Netherlands, one of the world’s leading water management companies.
The IKN is being developed in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan. The IKN, intended to accommodate up to 1.9 million residents, is expected to have five key characteristics: green, inclusive, intelligent, resilient, and sustainable.
