The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has expressed optimism that Google Inc. will start investing in Indonesia this year, and that the amount of investment will be more than that in other ASEAN countries.

“It has expressed its interest in investing in Indonesia. Regarding the amount of investment, it is expected to be larger than other amounts in the region,” BKPM head Gita Wirjawan said Monday in Jakarta.

He was comparing the predicted amount to figures Google has already invested in, in neighboring Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Gita added Google’s plan to expand to Indonesian could send a positive signal to the world that Indonesia was a potential field for investment.

“This is branding and a positive signal to other investors in the world; companies on the same scale as Google will put their trust in the Indonesian market,” he said.

Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt met with Indonesian Vice President Boediono last week, during which the former revealed a plan to expand Google’s offices to Indonesia by 2012.

BKPM director for investment deregulation Indra Darmawan said Google was still seeking clarity over Indonesia’s regulations on online ads and data center security. (The Jakarta Post)

Editor: Edy Can