Starting a Company in Indonesia: A Guide to Company Name

Your Guide to Company Name in Indonesia

  • InCorp Editorial Team
  • 10 February 2020
  • 4 minutes reading time

It is for certain that you cannot run a business in Indonesia without a business name. It is the first step to starting a company in Indonesia, and finding the perfect name for your company can have a compelling effect for your business success.

The process of naming your business can be both complex and daunting at the time. It’s important to get this right because a wrong name can do more harm if the names fail to connect with your clients in a positive way.

Therefore, a powerful company name can be immensely advantageous for your brand image and marketing effort.

However, there are certain things you have to pay attention to when choosing a legal company name in Indonesia and registering it to the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

Here are helpful suggestions on how to create a winning company name that meets all the standards as required by Indonesia law.

Starting a Company in Indonesia: Company Name Rules

company name indonesia

Your Company Name must Have at Least Three Words

To come up with a name for your company and register it in Indonesia, as required by the law, you must first make sure that it comprises of at least three words. You can have a company name with more than three words.

First of all, you will have to send an application to the Legal Entity Information the system will tell you that if your company name has been registered by other entities.

For example, PT Horizon Consulting Services is considered a 3-word company name that meets the set requirements.

A company name does not have to be the same as a brand name. Even when you have a 3-word or more words company name, you can still register a brand name for your PT PMA. The brand name can be fewer than three words.

 

Your Company Name Should Begin with the word “PT”

In the example shown earlier, PT Horizon Consulting Services, PT is not counted as a word for your company name and must be included. PT stands for Perseroan Terbatas and it means Limited Liability Company in Indonesia.

 

You can Only Use Roman Alphabets

Only the Roman alphabets are permitted to be used in the names of PT PMA. Other alphabets such as Cyrillic and Greek, or Chinese characters are not allowed in your company name.

 

Name of Local Company has to be in the Indonesian Language

If your company is a local limited liability company or fully owned by Indonesian citizens, the company name has to be in Indonesian language.

 

Foreign Company Name can be in Foreign Languages

A foreign-owned company (PT PMA) can have its name in English or other foreign languages apart from Indonesia.

 

Profanity and Vulgarity Are Prohibited

Indonesia is still considered a conventional and religious country. Therefore, you should avoid using words that can be considered obscene, rude or tasteless when naming your company.

Company Registration in Indonesia with Cekindo

Cekindo is a licensed company registration provider in Indonesia, offering one-stop solution to assist our clients interested in starting a company in the country.

Not only do we help you choose the right entity and incorporate your business, but we also assist you with bank account opening, as well as providing useful consultations – so that you can start your business activities quickly and efficiently.

In addition to that, Cekindo is able to give on-going assistance for all your tax and accounting functions after you have set up a company in Indonesia. This is particularly vital for foreigners who are not familiar with Indonesian laws and legislation.

Contact Cekindo for an appointment now and our international team is ready to provide support as your business grows. Fill in the form below.

Verified by

Ales Cina

Consulting Manager at InCorp Indonesia

Aleš manages solution delivery at InCorp Indonesia, optimizing incorporation processes and client relationships. His experience in internal auditing, retail, and sales offers valuable global insights. Aleš, with a degree in Economics and Finance from the Czech Republic, helps clients navigate cross-border business challenges, focusing on cultural and legal insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

    A limited liability corporation is required by Indonesian company law to have two or more shareholders, who may be either a legal entity or an individual. The foreign investor must find a second shareholder to own shares in the PMA firm for investments that are 100% open, which could be an affiliated party.

    The procedures for (voluntarily) liquidation typically involve the following steps:

    • Conduct a general shareholder meeting to approve the liquidation and the liquidator’s nomination
    • Notify the Ministry of Law and Human Rights as well as the creditors of the liquidation and the distribution plan for the assets by newspaper notice
    • All business licenses and tax numbers should be canceled or revoked; the tax office will conduct a tax audit to revoke the tax number
    • Make sure creditors are paid and that any liquidation funds are distributed to shareholders (if any)
    • Conduct a general meeting of shareholders to approve the liquidator’s discharge and acquittal
    • Notify the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the liquidation’s outcome. After receiving the notification, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights will deregister the company’s status as a legal entity and remove its name from the Company Registry
    • Release the liquidation’s outcome in a newspaper

    Completing the liquidation process can take around two years.

    A foreigner is not allowed to form a CV in Indonesia

    A newly established PMA company in Indonesia is typically provided with import facilities, tax holidays, tax allowances, or investment allowances.

    • Import facilities
      Investors in Indonesia, particularly in manufacturing, may benefit from import tax exemptions for capital goods and raw materials through the Master List Facility. The imported goods must meet specific criteria, such as not being produced locally or not meeting industry demand despite local production.
    • Tax holiday
      The government offers CIT reductions of 50% or 100% for 5–20 years for listed pioneer industries, based on investment value. After this period, a CIT reduction of 25% or 50% applies for two fiscal years. Non-listed sectors can also apply by meeting criteria demonstrating pioneer industry status.
    • Pioneer industries are industries that have a wide range of connections, provide additional value and high externalities, introduce new technologies, and have strategic value for the national economy.

    • Tax allowance
      For companies in certain designated areas or regions, the government may provide the following tax concessions:
      Net income reduction up to 30% of the amount invested, prorated at 5% annually for six years, on condition that the assets invested are retained for the same duration.
      Accelerated depreciation and/or amortisation deductions
      An extension of tax losses carried forward for a maximum of ten years
      A 10% (or lower if treaty relief is available) withholding tax rate on dividends paid to non-residents
      The applicant eligible has to meet high-level-criteria for the above tax facilities:
      High investment value or for export purposes
      High manpower absorption
      High level of local content
    • Investment allowance
      The government offers a reduction in net income of up to 60% of the investment, distributed at 5% annually over six years of commercial production, contingent upon the retention of invested assets for the same duration. To qualify, applicants must meet business line eligibility criteria and employ a minimum of 300 Indonesian workers in the project.
    • Super deduction
      This facility could be granted to certain businesses, such as:
      60% reduction in net income of the amount of tangible fixed assets invested for labor-intensive industries, distributed throughout a certain time frame.
      Up to 200% reduction in the gross income of the amount spent for human resources development in certain competency activities.
      Up to 300% reduction in gross income of the amount spent for certain R&D activities in Indonesia.

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The information is provided by PT. Cekindo Business International (“InCorp Indonesia/ we”) for general purpose only and we make no representations or warranties of any kind. We do not act as an authorized government or non-government provider for official documents and services, which is issued by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia or its appointed officials. We do not promote any official government document or services of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, including but not limited to, business identifiers, health and welfare assistance programs and benefits, unclaimed tax rebate, electronic travel visa and authorization, passports in this website.