In an attempt to attract more investors to invest in Indonesia, state-owned lender Mandiri, together with Mandiri securities, has organized the Mandiri Investment Forum (MIF) 2016.

Being held from Jan. 26 to 29 at Hotel Fairmont Jakarta, the forum is providing a space for both local and international investors to meet and build a network to boost the country'€™s development. Around 600 investors and businesspeople are taking part in the forum.

The event is also seeking to push an even distribution of investment to various regions. Several local administrations are participating at the forum to promote potential facilities that could be developed in their regions.

On the first day, the event covered site visit activities to various places like e-commerce and consumer goods offices as well as industrial estates.

According to Bank Mandiri finance and strategy director Kartika Wirjoatmodjo, the forum is very important to create synergy among investors and stakeholders, so that they are able to capitalize on investment opportunities that support and boost Indonesia'€™s economic growth.

'€œTo accelerate investment, we need all stakeholders to form a synergy. To achieve that, Bank Mandiri is committed to facilitating this synergy so that Indonesia can attain sustainable and conducive economic growth,'€ Kartika said at the forum.

Showing off: Bank Indonesia Governor Agus Martowardjojo (left) shows the audience a token of appreciation handed over by Bank Mandiri President Director Budi G. Sadikin.

The government has set a quantitative target for an increase in economic growth to 8 percent in 2019 from 5.1 percent in 2014, with gross domestic product per capita of Rp 71.97 million (US$5,176), with a reduction in inflation to 3.5 percent and an unemployment rate of around 4 to 5 percent.

To support that, the government has launched a number of infrastructure developments to create adequate public facilities such as roads, airports, seaports, railways, power plants and more.

'€œThe infrastructure development is estimated to require around Rp 5.5 quadrillion of funding within five years. To make the plan a reality, we need a sound strategy and support from all parties,'€ Kartika said.

To gain insights from experts, policymakers and practitioners, the bank conducted a panel discussion called '€œOptimizing private sector and local government contribution'€.

The discussion featured, among others, Finance Minister Bambang Permadi S. Brodjonegoro, who delivered a keynote address called '€œLooking deeper inside government policy packages'€, Bank Indonesia Governor Agus Martowardojo, who presented a paper called '€œMonetary focus: striking the right balance between global risk and domestic needs for an accommodative policy'€, as well as former tourism and creative industry minister Mari Elka Pangestu, who presented a paper called '€œGlobal and Indonesian Outlook 2016: Facing the New Normal'€.

No less important, the forum allows participants to conduct one-on-one meetings to gain information related to the most recent investment opportunities, be it from regulators or from businesspeople present at the event.

Minister'€™s remarks: Finance Minister Bambang Permadi S. Brodjonegoro delivers his keynote.

Minister'€™s view: State-Owned Enterprises Deputy Minister for Services, Gatot Trihargo addresses his remarks.

In a discussion: Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo speaks before the audience.

Giving a thumbs-up: Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil (left) receives a token of appreciation from Bank Mandiri President Director Budi G. Sadikin.

E-Commerce session: Speaking at the E-Commerce: '€œThe Rise of Digital Demand'€ session (from left to right): Tokopedia CEO William Tanuwijaya, Mandiri E-Cash Board of Management Izak Jepie, Veritrans President Director Ryu Kawano, Sinar Mas Digital Ventura Partner Mario Suntanu, Rico Ustaf as the moderator and CekAja.com CEO Kusumo Martanto.

A light talk: Bank Mandiri President Director Budi G. Sadikin (right) has a chat with Finance Minister Bambang Permadi S. Brodjonegoro ahead of the opening of the forum.

New venture: Bank Mandiri President Director Budi G. Sadikin (center) launches Mandiri Capital at the Mandiri Investment Forum 2016 on Wednesday.

Photos: JP/Arief Suhardiman