Attracting foreign investors from the United States is surely not an easy task amid inward investment sentiment in the world’s largest economy, under a leader who has spoken out against globalization.

However, for the Indonesian government, practicing the art of convincing people is the least it can do to lure investment, as attempted by high-ranking officials during a gala dinner to promote Indonesia on Wednesday evening in Washington.

Three top Indonesian officials — Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan and Bank Indonesia Governor Agus Martowardojo — told 200 top executives of US and Indonesian companies about what made Indonesia special.

“The [Indonesian] government is led by a leader who is very open and pragmatic. You are not going to find this combination anywhere else,” Sri Mulyani said in her speech, referring to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

Hopes were raised at the event, which was attended by Freeport McMoran’s CEO Richard Adkerson — who is in negotiations for the long-term operation of its giant gold and copper mine in Indonesia — among others.

The US-ASEAN Business Council and the US-Indonesia Society (USINDO), two groups that promote US business and investment in Indonesia and better understanding of the latter among people in the US, also attended the event.

During the dinner, which was held on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings 2017, Sri Mulyani gave updates on a number of major international events to be held in the country next year.

Aside from hosting the Asian Games and holding regional elections next year, Indonesia will welcome at least 15,000 international guests and delegations from 189 countries at the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings on Oct. 8 to 14 in Bali.

The latter event could be used to promote Indonesia’s tourism and investment through the “Voyage to Indonesia 2018” (VTI) campaign, which comprises a series of events showcasing the country’s current and prospective economic and social achievements.

The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) aims to collect Rp 678.8 trillion (US$50.26 billion) in investment by year-end, a 10.7 percent increase from what it achieved last year. For 2018, the investment target has been set at Rp 863 trillion, up 27 percent.

An upgrade of Indonesia’s sovereign rating to investment grade a few months ago by global credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s has given the government a boost to lure investment.

However, the government and other stakeholders should be more meticulous in choosing and making the best investment and trade deals with countries that have shown tendencies of inward investment, such as the US under President Donald Trump.

“The current US administration is a transactional government. They will seek what’s in it for them, putting America first as the government pushes investment inside the US rather than outside,” said Shinta Kamdani, deputy chairman of international relations at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).

Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth stagnated at 5.01 percent in the second quarter, while the government aims to reach 5.2 percent by year-end and 5.4 percent in 2018.

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