Establishing a Business in Indonesia

SSEK Indonesian Legal Consultants founding partner Ira A. Eddymurthy and partner Denny Rahmansyah have contributed the Indonesia chapter of the new Practical Law global guide to Establishing a Business in ... SSEK Legal Consultants is one of the leading corporate and commercial law firms in Indonesia. It works with leading international and domestic companies on all aspects of their business in Indonesia. SSEK is widely experienced in the establishment of businesses in Indonesia and their ongoing operation. The following is an extract from Establishing a Business in Indonesia.

Establishing a presence from abroad

The most common option for an overseas company as a foreign investor to establish a presence in Indonesia is by setting up a limited liability company (Perseroan Terbatas (PT)) with foreign ownership (PT PMA). The first step in establishing a PT PMA is to determine whether the PT PMA can be wholly foreign owned or only partially foreign owned. This involves what is known as the Negative Investment List. The current Negative Investment List is contained in Presidential Regulation No. 39 of 2014 outlining the list of business fields that are closed and business fields that are open with requirements for investment (PR 39).

To establish a PT PMA, a foreign investor must submit an application to the Capital Investment Coordinating Board to obtain a principle license (izin prinsip). Once the principle license is issued by the Capital Investment Coordinating Board, the founding shareholders or their proxies need to execute the deed of establishment containing the PT PMA's articles of association, which must be signed before a notary public and filed with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights for its approval. The filing process is handled by the notary.

Once the Ministry of Law and Human Rights approves the articles of association, the PT PMA must then register with the Ministry of Trade. Another common option for an overseas company to establish a presence in Indonesia is by acquiring an existing PT PMA. Such an acquisition is also subject to approval by the Capital Investment Coordinating Board and the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and registration with the Ministry of Trade. There are advantages and disadvantages both to establishing a new PT PMA and to acquiring an existing PT PMA.

Establishing a new limited liability company (Perseroan Terbatas (PT)) with foreign ownership (PT PMA)

The advantage is that the foreign investor has immediate control once the PT PMA is established and the management can be set up to suit the investor's preferences. The disadvantage is that establishing a new PT PMA requires permits, setting up a physical presence (office) and hiring employees, which is time consuming compared to acquiring an existing PT PMA. Setting up a new PT PMA also requires completing an administrative process with government institutions/agencies related to the technical licences of that PT PMA.

Acquiring an existing limited liability company (Perseroan Terbatas (PT)) with foreign ownership (PT PMA)

The advantage is that there is pre√Ç­existing brand recognition in the market if the existing PT PMA is already widely known and in good standing. Also, the existing PT PMA will have licenses, an office and employees. The disadvantage is that before acquiring an existing PT PMA an investor is recommended to conduct a legal due diligence on the PT PMA's documents to ensure the soundness of the PT PMA, specifically with regard to its outstanding taxes and financial obligations and whether the PT PMA is involved in any disputes with other parties. The legal due diligence may incur legal costs and require time before the foreign investor can proceed to the next steps.

In addition the administrative procedures that must be followed, such as notification/registration with government institutions/agencies, are time consuming.

Representative offices

Foreign companies can also establish a representative office, specifically a Foreign Company Representative Office (Kantor Perwakilan Perusahaan Asing (KPPA)) or a Foreign Trade Representative Office (Kantor Perwakilan Perusahaan Perdagangan Asing (KP3A)) by submitting an application to the chairman of the Capital Investment Coordinating Board.

A KPPA is established by foreign companies engaging in a service business, while foreign companies involved in the trading of goods will establish a KP3A. A KPPA and KP3A are limited to acting as a liaison between their principal and potential customers (for example, marketing and promotional activities) and are prohibited from generating revenue in Indonesia.

This publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Any reliance on the material contained herein is at the user\'s own risk. You should contact a lawyer in your jurisdiction if you require legal advice. All SSEK publications are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the express written consent of SSEK.