Debnath Guharoy,
AIBC National President

President's Column

Dear Members and Friends,

Finally, we have a date for our next election. Regardless of the bookmakers, we are in for the sixth government in six years. Whichever way the political winds blow, anyone who is interested in a more intelligent relationship with our neighbours to the North can breathe a sigh of relief. Both sides of our political divide understand the need to chart a new course for Australia’s economic future, a focus beyond the traditional dependence on the export of our resources. The promise of the ASEAN Economic Community - of which Indonesia has a 40 percent share of regional GDP – makes our closest neighbour suddenly more attractive than it’s ever been. With 50 sectors opened up in the latest wave of deregulation, with principal licences issued to investors by BKPM in less than three hours, the old whingeing by business at large is being gradually silenced. Governments can only do so much.

When more of us learn to celebrate the cultural differences with our neighbours, without fear or disdain, we will make the change we need to make as a nation. Re-engineering our future beyond the resources boom must include our integration with Asia’s economic growth. And we need to go beyond the transactional nature of our trading history. Indonesia is not the easiest place to do business. Neither is India, nor China. But these countries will remain the growth engines of a sluggish global economy for decades to come. To highlight the obvious, only one of them is less than 300 kilometres away. Indonesia is not a competitor, it is the perfect partner to forge launchpads into Asia. Our knowhow, their manpower. The ASEAN Economic Community, a large domestic market and a rapidly growing Middle Class at the doorstep make Indonesia all the more attractive.

It was with that shared belief that Ambassador Nadjib Riphat Kesoema in Canberra suggested a joint presentation of the inaugural Australia Indonesia Business Week, dovetailing the Indonesian Embassy’s annual events with AIBC’s Conference. We readily agreed. So I’m delighted to announce the launch of AIBW 2016, in Perth, November 11-15. To be technically correct, make that Fremantle, the olde port city just half an hour away from Perth CBD. If you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting this wonderful piece of Australiana before, see here.

The Business Summit will be on Friday November 11 with ten concurrent closed door discussions spanning opportunities from Agriculture to Tourism and everything in between; Indonesia Fair over the weekend will offer a variety of art, dance, cuisine and much more; the AIBC Conference will start with dinner on Sunday November 13 and end with lunch on Tuesday November 15.  A stellar list of speakers from both countries, bigger than anything we’ve ever seen, will provide food for thought. AIBC has the enthusiastic support of Ambassador Paul Grigson in Jakarta and we can always count on Austrade in both countries. AIBW is going to be a week to remember. So now’s a good time to ink the dates in your diary and think of bringing the family along. Watch this space for program details, next month.

April also saw the second round of ‘Project Manado’, in Perth. Murdoch University hosted a group of 12 companies ranging from property development and hotels to waste management and renewable energy through to port development, fishing and shipbuilding. Consul-General Ade Sarwono and Suryo Sulisto, immediate past Chairman of KADIN also joined the lively discussions. The prospect of a core group of complementary businesses from WA going to North Sulawesi is becoming more and more likely. Next steps: conduct appropriate studies for the various component projects that will lay the foundation for long-term development.

If companies in the Eastern States are interested in exploring this Tourism-led Infrastructure Development Project, they would be warmly received by the core group in the West. We would love to hear from you. The ambition is to take not just tens, but hundreds of Australian companies to that beautiful corner of the world, in the years to come. This will not happen because AIBC thinks this is a good idea. It will only happen when a complementary group of pioneers take considered steps forward. That process has begun. The updates will keep on coming.

May has a full agenda for AIBC around the country. More news, next month.

Warm regards,
Debnath

Northern Territory Update

The NT branch of the AIBC continues to consolidate its new beginning with the settling in of committee members to their positions: Chairman - Eddie Morgan, Vice Chair - Linda Reeves and Clancy O'Donnell - Secretary.

The AIBC NT branch plan for the upcoming year of 2016 consists of developing our network in the Top End as well as providing opportunities for local people to be exposed to the
Australia / Indonesia interface .  The AIBC NT is now working closely with both the consulate and Northern Territory Government to create regular networking events in Darwin and give our members a chance to learn from their success and challenges in developing businesses in Indonesia.

With a view to this we have met with Pak Andre Siregar , Consul General of the Consulate of Indonesia . Pak Andre expressed keen interest in engaging with AIBC NT by suggesting a bimonthly breakfast meeting at the consulate Wisma.In collaboration with AIBC NT , the consulate event will include invitations to key local people and organisations who would benefit from an exchange of information and ideas .  AIBC NT will also be added to the consulate invitation list of general events.

Jeff Mcalister Director General , Dept Asian Engagement , Trade and Investment - Dept Chief Minister NT has also expressed keen interest in supporting AIBC NT in its endeavours by offering the resources of the department to help arrange events as well as including AIBC NT in Department communications relevant to the AIBC.

As a result of our meeting with Pak Andre , on Thursday 28 April AIBC NT members were joined by a high-level delegation of Indonesian businesses and government representatives at the Indonesian consulate for a networking dinner, hosted by Consul General Pak Andre Siregar.

Touring as part of the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce ‘Regional Australia-Asia Chamber Forum', the Indonesia delegation featured prominent Indonesian business and government representatives, local Darwin businesses with a close association with Indonesia, AIBC members and representatives from the Australia Indonesia Youth Association. We discussed the investment and trade opportunities in digital technologies, health, education and manufacturing - and received an overall positive response from members and delegates alike.

If you wish to get involved in future events with the AIBC NT, please contact myself at NTChair@aibc.com.au, or call 1300 902 878.

Eddie Morgan,
Chairman-Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) NT
NTChair@aibc.com.au

Western Australia Update

Pertamina and Migas Business Breakfast

On Thursday 14 April, 125 Members and guests enjoyed a fascinating breakfast event with Mr Tanri Abeng, Chairman of Pertamina, and Mr Wiratmaja Puja, Director General of Oil & Gas (Indonesian Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources - ESDM). After each delivered their separate presentations, Mr Chris Barnes, Regional Director – Indonesia, at the WA Trade & Investment Office (Jakarta), moderated a broad ranging panel discussion and Q&A session.

For this event, all speakers were in Perth to attend the LNG18 Conference, which attracted around 5,000 LNG Industry leaders from around the globe.

WA’s new Minister for State Development, Hon. Bill Marmion MLA, was a special guest and introductory speaker at the AIBC Breakfast, joining with many other VIP guests visiting from Pertamina and ESDM, and others involved in the Australia-Indonesia business relationship.

Pak Wirat’s presentation on Indonesia’s LNG Industry can be seen here.

The event was very kindly sponsored by Woodside Energy and KBR, with Woodside’s Reinhardt Matisons (Executive Vice President - Marketing, Trading and Shipping) sharing something of Woodside’s business and making the speaker introductions. At the conclusion of the event, KBR’s Graham Hill (Executive Vice President - Global Business Development and Strategy) delivered a warm vote of thanks, and also gave some of KBR’s history and involvement in Indonesia and the global LNG industry.

A highlight of the morning too was the announcement of a Heads of Agreement, signed only recently between Woodside and Pertamina, for the long-term supply of Western Australian LNG to Indonesia. The Media Release for this Announcement can be seen here. This is an important development, and one which shows great promise for the future, not only for Woodside and Pertamina, but for the broader Trade & Investment relationship between our countries.

AIBC Young Professionals "Mentor Connect" Dinner

To launch AIBC Young Professionals "Mentor Connect" Program, on Thursday, 28 April 2016, we welcomed special guests AIBC National President, Debnath Guharoy, and the former Chairman of KADIN (Indonesia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Pak Suryo Sulisto to Tasik Indonesian Restaurant in Perth. The evening was a great opportunity for those involved to meet our special guests and network with other program participants.

The 2016 pilot program of Mentor Connect has been successful in matching 5 mentors with 5 mentees. The program mentors represent AIBC corporate membership and the mentees have been selected from the AIBC Young Professionals group. The program has been designed to provide a platform for the Young Professionals to learn from the experience of the senior members of the business community.

AIBC Young Professionals would like to take this opportunity to thank our mentors for volunteering their time to the professional development of upcoming leaders in the Australia-Indonesia trade and investment space.

AIBC Young Professionals Networking Event at PwC with Ron Gibson

On Monday 2nd May, the AIBC Young Professionals, with the support of PwC, hosted a networking event with keynote speaker and Managing Director of Go Networking Ron Gibson. Ron is a professional networking expert and has more than 20 years’ experience in helping companies and professionals generate new business by building networking partnerships.

In his presentation, Ron encouraged young professionals to think about networking as building friendships, in the first instance, and not to have a set agenda beyond this. More experienced guests were encouraged to re-invigorate their dormant networks by having regular catch-ups with people throughout the week: do not call on networks only when you need them. 

The event focused on how Western Australia can build long-term professional and personal relationships with its neighbours in the Asia-Pacific. Shadow Minister for Asian Engagement and Trade, Peter Tinley MLA and Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier, Matt Taylor MLA also presented on the opportunities that await West Australian professionals if they engage in long-term, sustainable relationships in the Asia-Pacific, built on mutual understanding and trust.

Relationship building and stakeholder engagement is a significant part of the role AIBC plays in the Indonesian and Australian business community. Ron’s insights can help generate new business, new client acquisitions, referrals, strategic alliances and networking partnerships across Australia and throughout Asia.

AIBC would like to thank AIBC National Corporate Member, PwC for sponsoring the event.

Greg Gaunt,
Chairman - Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) WA
WAChair@aibc.com.au
 

Indoview

Relaxation of Indonesian Mineral Export Requirements

In his latest article, Bill Sullivan of Christian Teo Purwono & Partners, looks at the recent relaxation to the export requirements for some minerals, but not for coal.

"The relaxation of these export requirements could be the beginning of bigger changes to come in this area, especially with regard to the existing export ban on unprocessed metal minerals."

To read this article in full, click here.

KADIN Business Support Desk Newsletter

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), has released its latest Bulletin on Indonesia Trade & Investment News.

To read this Bulletin, click here.

An Interview with Trade Minister Lembong

Recently Indonesia’s Minister of Trade, Thomas Lembong, gave an interesting interview on Indonesia’s reform agenda.

This interview can be viewed here.

ANU Indonesia Project - Indonesia: sustaining economic development in a volatile world

Indonesia's Minister of Finance, Bambang Brodjonegoro, recently delivered a Public Lecture at ANU on "sustaining economic development in Indonesia during uncertain times".

This presentation can be viewed here.
 

Sustainability @ ANZ

CEO, Shayne Elliott acknowledges that the banking industry has allowed poor practices, weak procedures and misaligned incentives to detract from the core purpose of serving customers and supporting communities.  To read the entire ANZ May 2016 Edition, please click here.