Business Setup in Indonesia
There are several ways to break into the Indonesian market, but finding the setu...
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If you are a foreign investor that wants full control of your business, then establishing a PT PMA is the best option you can opt for. PT PMA is the only legal entity in Indonesia that allows 100% foreign ownership. However, each sector has regulations on their permitted business activities as well as the maximum amount of shares foreigners can own determined by the Positive Investment List.
A representative office is suitable for foreign investors and business owners that are at the early stage of expanding into Indonesia. RO’s allow foreign businesses to test the Indonesian market before establishing any commercial operations. RO’s also work best for non-sales activities, such as customer service support, approaching potential clients, as well as conducting marketing and brand awareness initiatives.
KP3A is a representative office that is established specifically for business trading. Both general and trading RO’s are prohibited from conducting business activities that generate financial income. However, a trading RO may be established in any part of Indonesia, whereas a general RO is not able to do so.
Similar to KP3A’s, a BUJKA is a representative office specifically established for foreign construction companies. A BUJKA may engage in large-scale construction projects, but only under a joint operation with a local company known as Local PT. Despite its limitations, a BUJKA is still a good start for foreign construction companies to set their footprint in Indonesia, as they are allowed to collaborate on building projects without obtaining a construction license (SIUJK).
Talk to our experts about your expansion objectives in Indonesia.
Provide us with all the documents required for company establishment.
We ensure your submitted documents are aligned with the latest regulations.
We will draft your application letter addressed to related government bodies.
We file all your documents to the related government bodies on your behalf.
An NPWP is required to secure other business licenses, open a bank account, and fulfilling tax obligations.
A NIB is required for a company to conduct immediate business operations.
A Notary should draft and legalized your Deed of Incorporation.
After submission of Deed of Incorporation by the notary, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights will give approval.
Some sectors and business activities require more specific business licenses and permits. This process can from 7 to 20 days, depending on your business sector.
As their names suggest, the main differences among three business kinds in Indonesia lie in the nature of the businesses and the purpose of their incorporation. Owners of a local company (PT) must be Indonesian citizens as even 1 percent of foreign ownership is not allowed. This type of companies is not limited to enter any business field, and restrictions on incorporation are not so tight. On the contrary, a foreign-owned company (PT PMA) is open for international investors, but the maximal percentage of foreign share differs in various business sectors. Contact Cekindo to get the most updated information on the Negative Investment List. International investors tend to open representative offices as a first step to understand the Indonesian market before setting up a limited liability company. This type is used for marketing and promotion activities and does not have the right to do the direct selling and receive income.
Yes, this particularly applies to import and export businesses. Instead of establishing a company, you can use an undername import service, also known as an importer of record.
It should take between 1 to 1.5 months.
This depends on the type of company you decide to establish.
Yes, it is possible for foreign citizens to expand to Indonesia and set up a foreign-owned company (PT PMA) in the country. Depending on the business line you want to pursue, there are regulations for foreigners to follow when establishing a company in Indonesia. One of the most important is the so-called Positive Investment List which has been—as well as other regulations in Indonesian—updated frequently.
InCorp is a leading market entry and services consulting firm dedicated to developing and operating clients in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia.
