Indonesia market entry

Indonesian legislation allows foreign companies to participate in most market segments. You can register a local company with foreign capital (PT PMA), work through a local distributor, or establish a representative office. We will help you determine the optimal strategy depending on your goals, budget, and product. Some industries are partially or completely closed to direct foreign investment, but there are legal workarounds — we will tell you about them during the consultation.

Starting a business in Indonesia is a step-by-step process. The first stage — agreeing on the details of the project and market entry strategy — takes about a month on average. This is followed by company registration, which takes approximately two weeks. The longest stage — obtaining the necessary industry licenses, permits, and certificates — can take up to six months, depending on the specifics of the business. We accompany the entire process and help reduce the time frame thanks to our experience and established communications with local authorities.

Yes, virtually any commercial activity in Indonesia requires certain licenses. When you open a company, you will receive a business license (NIB). If you plan to import products, you may also need other types of licenses, such as BPOM (for food products, cosmetics, etc.) or Halal. We will provide comprehensive support to ensure that your company complies with all requirements.

The most accessible sectors for foreigners are e-commerce, consulting, education, the restaurant business, trade, and services. These industries require fewer regulatory documents and allow for faster market entry. At the same time, strategic industries such as energy, transportation, and finance (fintech) often require special permits or a local partner. We will help you assess the risks and select the most promising niche based on your resources.

Yes, Indonesia has special zones with preferential taxation and simplified regulations — these are Free Trade Zones and Special Economic Zones (SEZs). These areas include, for example, Batam, Bintan, Karimun, as well as SEZs in Lemang, Manado, Sorong, and other regions.

These zones offer tax and customs incentives, simplified reporting requirements, and opportunities for more flexible logistics and imports. We provide services for registering companies in such zones, including offshore registration in Batam, and help businesses take advantage of the benefits of special regimes.