Indonesia wants Mitsubishi to pour in more money in the garment sector and forge partnerships with local industries. The Japanese giant is seen as having the potential to boost competitiveness and productivity among Indonesia’s manufacturers. Indonesia is revitalizing its textile industry by boosting the production capacity of rayon fiber.

Rayon has become the new basic material for textiles and Indonesia looks forward to producing rayon fiber from forest pulp in large quantities. Mitsubishi may also invest heavily in the petrochemical sector as its subsidiary, Asahi Glass, which operates in Indonesia under the name Asahimas Flat Glass, has started to expand its caustic soda and glass factory.

Mitsubishi is looking to expand its business in infrastructure and the automotive sector as well as consumer goods, such as food products. Its investments in textiles and textile products have contributed 1.16 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product. Indonesian shipments of textile and textile products rose 8.2 per cent in 2016.

Indonesia is also inviting Chinese investors. China’s investment, especially in the automotive sector, is growing rapidly. There are two Chinese vehicle factories that are already showing good sales results. China sees Indonesia as a potential production and export base. In addition a very large domestic market already exists.