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  Issue Number 194 - May / June 2021
 
In this issue
President's Column
AIBC Life Member – Blaine Gordon
AIBC Launches “Connect Darwin”
KADIN Appoints new Leaders
WA Update
NSW Update
QLD Update
VIC Update
Occupational Health and Safety: Protecting the Indonesian Healthcare Workforce during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Australian Export & Investment Awards
Swinburne Law School - Asian Commercial Law: Indonesia Investment Compendium
Indoview
 
Events
 

For a list of current events, please click here.

 

 

Phil Turtle
National President

President's Column

Dear Members and Friends,

As we enter the second half on 2021, significant challenges persist in getting on top of the COVID-19 pandemic, as dangerous new variants make a significant impact in both countries. Some countries who have made greater progress with vaccination programs are opening up again and easing restrictions, however it is yet to be seen if this will successful or be found to be premature.

Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Hon Dan Tehan MP, was due in Jakarta this week as part of a series of international engagements, but due to the escalating COVID-19 situation across Indonesia, this visit was unfortunately cancelled. The planned visit had been on track to coincide with the first anniversary of the entry into force of IA-CEPA on 5 July, and also with the launch of the IA-CEPA ECP Katalis (Katalis) Program, the Federally funded Economic Cooperation Program that underpins Australia’s commitment to the successful implementation of the Agreement; Katalis was itself launched on 6 July 2021 at the Economic, Trade and Investment Ministers Meeting (ETIMM) between Australia and Indonesia.

AIBC Newsletter

Economic, Trade and Investment Ministers Meeting (ETIMM) between Australia’s Treasurer Hon Josh Frydenberg MP and Trade Minister Hon Dan Tehan MP together with Indonesia’s Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi, Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto
and BAPPENAS Minister Suharso Monoarfa (also with Ambassador Kristiarto Legowo and Ambassador-designate Penny Williams)

 

Following the cancellation of our biennial Conference in Darwin last November due to COVID-19, AIBC is launching plans for a one-day Conference in Darwin to be held on 1 November this year. This event themed “Connect Darwin”, which will proceed only in accordance with any COVID-19 limitations at the time, will be held in conjunction with the Northern Territory Government, and focus on a number of key sectors. Some further details can be found elsewhere in this newsletter.

In another key collaboration with the Government of Victoria, AIBC’s National Food and Agriculture Group has been awarded a Grant, under the Global Victoria Trade Alliance Program, to deliver a series of information sharing gatherings and facilitated discussion sessions to assist Victorian exporters into the Indonesian market. We look forward very much to delivering this Program and thank Global Victoria for their support.

As another casualty of COVID-19, this past month saw the cessation of Garuda services to Melbourne and Perth, and the reduction to a single weekly service between Jakarta and Sydney. A number of our Members have expressed deep disappointment about this, and AIBC has met with Garuda to offer support, and convey our hope for their future and an early return to more regular services. This reduction in services comes against a major restructure that Garuda is embarking on.

Our National Board was delighted recently to meet virtually with Ambassador-designate Penny Williams, in a two-way update and exchange of ideas. In “normal” times, the AIBC would have taken part in pre-posting consultations with any incoming Ambassador, however the peculiarities of COVID-19 have meant that any face-to-face meetings will have to wait until travel permits.

As we start the new Membership year, we thank all our Members who have re-joined and encourage those who are yet to act to do so. Your support is critical to our success on behalf of our Members, and in the broader National Interest, particularly as we seek to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Renewals and new Memberships can be actioned on our website here.

 

Phil Turtle
National President


 

IA-CEPA turned 1 year old on Mon 5 July, marking a year which has been dominated by the impacts of COVID-19, and the particular challenges and opportunities this has posed.

Plans had been underway for Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, to join with AIBC and IABC to mark this anniversary during a visit to Jakarta, however this visit was cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation. We are now looking for an alternative date for an event to mark IA-CEPA’s birthday as well as the recent launch of the IA-CEPA ECP Katalis (Katalis) Program.

AIBC Newsletter

Then Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Senator Hon Simon Birmingham, cuts AIBC’s cake welcoming IA-CEPA on 9 July 2020

As well as this event, we are looking forward also to launching soon DFAT’s “Blueprint for Trade and Investment in Indonesia”, and then working alongside DFAT and the business community to further advance business engagement with Indonesia.

Businesses are reminded too that if they encounter any non-tariff trade barrier, they are able to register them here on the trade barriers gateway (Australian Government) for follow-up.

Full and updated details on IA-CEPA can be viewed on the DFAT portal here.

Last week AIBC provided Members and Friends with an update on the COVID-19 situation in Indonesia, and our efforts to provide some support to our Indonesian families, friends and colleagues. These efforts are ongoing, and a number of our Members are also providing what support they can. Whilst these may seem modest against the scale of the crisis, every effort is worthwhile, and we encourage all to help however they can. Our Federal Government recently increased its support through a commitment to sending AstraZeneca vaccines and emergency aid, and details of this can be found in this release here.
 
For further information on COVID-19 responses, the Australian Government’s website here, remains a comprehensive portal to the very broad range of health and business related information.
 
Our counterparts at the IABC in Jakarta have been kindly circulating an updated informal timeline/overview, with the latest here.

AIBC Life Member – Blaine Gordon

 

At a recent luncheon hosted by the AIBC SA Committee, Blaine Gordon was awarded Life Membership of AIBC. This honour is bestowed by AIBC’s National Board on those who have made a significant voluntary contribution to AIBC spanning many years.

The commendation on this Award read “In recognition of his over 22 years of distinguished service to AIBC, including as SA Chair (1999-2002), National Vice President (2002-2005) and National President (2005-2008), Life Membership of AIBC is awarded to Blaine Gordon for his personal contributions to AIBC and to strengthening the Australia – Indonesia relationship.”

AIBC Newsletter

AIBC National Treasurer Jim McMillan (left) presents Blaine Gordon with his Life Membership Award

 

In addition, Blaine reflected on his first visit to Indonesia in the 1980s, mentored by his colleague Paul Moritz (who was an ex-pat in Jakarta 1980-1984 as a civil engineering manager). Later in 1994, he put together and managed the South Australian delegation to Australia Today ’94 in Jakarta, consisting of more than 40 South Australians representing more than 30 companies, led by SA Trade Minister (and later Premier) John Olsen.

After joining AIBC in around 1998, he served in a number of State and National roles. Then as National President from 2002, he had the great pleasure of working closely with the new Indonesian Ambassador HE Hamzah Thayeb, and Australian Ambassador HE Bill Farmer, and the board of the IABC.  In this role he was greatly supported by National Vice President Ross Taylor (now President of the Indonesia Institute), then Executive Officer Sam Hardjono (currently AIBC National Vice President), and his wife Carole.

The AIBC congratulates and sincerely thanks Blaine, and his wife Carole, for their passion and dedication to AIBC over a very long time, and look forward to them continuing in a less demanding capacity for years to come.

AIBC Launches “Connect Darwin”

 

AIBC Newsletter

Following the unfortunate cancellation due to COVID-19 of our planned Conference in Darwin last November, the AIBC is excited to be hosting a one-day Conference in Darwin on Monday 1 November 2021.

To be held in conjunction with the Northern Territory Government, and themed as “Connect Darwin”, this event will provide a showcase for opportunities in a range of sectors, including:

  • Agriculture
  • Education
  • Tourism and Culture
  • Defence

Further details will be made available over coming weeks, and of course any prevailing COVID-19 protocols will be taken into consideration.

Any enquiries in the meantime can be addressed to membersupport@aibc.com.au

KADIN Appoints new Leaders

 

AIBC Newsletter

AIBC congratulates Bapak Arsjad Rasjid on his appointment as Chairman of KADIN (Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) for a 5-year term, together with Bapak Anindya N Bakrie as Chairman of KADIN’s Advisory Board.

We wish them both success in their important new roles, and look forward to continuing AIBC’s strong relationship with KADIN.

WA Update

 

WA Government Signs Historic MOU with BPSDM ESDM

On 21 June, WA Chair Jennifer Mathews represented AIBC at the signing of a landmark vocational education and training (VET) agreement between the WA Government and the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

The MOU is the first agreement between a national government and an Australian state under the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

The Agreement, signed by Director General, Rebecca Brown, on behalf of the Western Australia government, creates landmark opportunities for Western Australian VET providers.

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the agreement was signed in the respective countries with each party broadcasting the signing to mark the agreement together in celebration.

Western Australia’s MOU with Indonesia offers exciting opportunities to leverage the state’s expertise and strengths in VET training, especially in the mining and tourism sectors.

The Western Australian Government’s Investment and Trade Office in Jakarta developed the MOU with the Indonesian Government’s Human Resources Development Agency for Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

AIBC Newsletter

Left to right: Nashid Chowdhury, Economic Development Lead, City of Joondalup, Jeffrey Haworth, Executive Director, WA Dept of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Jennifer Mathews, WA Chair, AIBC, Steve  Hall, General Manager, College of Electrical Training, Karen Ho, A/Director General, WA Dept of Training and Workforce Development, Nanda Avalist, Consul, Consulate General Republic of Indonesia, Perth, Dewi Gustina Tobing, Consul General, Consulate General Republic of Indonesia, Perth, Krista Dunstan, WA Investment and Trade Commissioner, Asean, Rebecca Brown, Director General, WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Simone Spencer, Deputy Director General, WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Widya Fitri, Vice Consul, Consulate General Republic of Indonesia, Perth, Sarah Hooper, State Director, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Michelle Hoad, Managing Director,  North Metropolitan Tafe

 

Take a trip around the world with Herbert Smith Freehills

In June, AIBC WA joined with 100 of Perth’s young professionals for a unique networking night, exploring global flavours while testing their knowledge of world trivia, generously hosted by the Herbert Smith Freehills’ in Perth through their Building Connections Committee.

During the event young professionals visited a range of country themed food stations while answering trivia questions about that country. The event provided a taste of international travel, as well as the opportunity to meet and build networks with emerging professionals across a range of industries. AIBC WA representatives Tiffani Makharti and Nicholas Basan were thrilled to take part in the event and were joined by AIYA WA representatives Fiona Bettesworth and Kevin Ng attended the event.

“International travel may be off the cards at the moment, but the team at Herbert Smith Freehills made a virtual trip around the world possible. It was not just about the global food experience but also the opportunity to connect with other young professionals from different backgrounds, and the world trivia brought us all together! Thank you to the Committee’s leader Rickelle Kenny and her team for hosting us and for creating such a great event,” said Miss Makharti.

AIBC Newsletter

Young professionals from AIBC WA together with members of HSFs Building Connections Committee

NSW Update

 

AIBC NSW Branch forced to postpone three events

NSW AIBC had 3 events scheduled for late June and early July and these have all been postponed due to the COVID lock down in Sydney.  The events included a joint networking event with ITPC which was to be a showcase of retail, footware Indonesian exports as well as a  farewell to the Indonesian Consul General Pak Heru.  We also postponed the  event hosted by KPMG  in partnership with IIPC outlining The Indonesia Omnibus Law Breakfast Briefing: Cutting the complexity of doing business in Indonesia.  A third event being our members networking event was also postponed from early July. 

These events will be rescheduled and the NSW Branch is now working on a number of briefings which will be presented as online events.

QLD Update

 

AIBC-DFAT Roundtable with Stephen Scott, Deputy Head of Mission to Indonesia
 

Members of the AIBC Qld met with Stephen Scott, who took up the position of Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, on Thursday 10 June 2021.

Stephen updated AIBC members on a variety of aspects of the Australia-Indonesia relationship, including development assistance policies, people to people links, implementation of IA-CEPA and health issues, particularly as related to the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed that as Indonesia progressed towards becoming the world’s 4th largest economy in the near future, it was particularly important for Australians to understand the country better and to relate to it more effectively.

In the following discussion, AIBC members briefed Stephen on their business activities in Indonesia, including in the education, telecommunications, waste recycling (electronic and medical), and food and beverage sectors.

Members found this a very useful exchange of views, and look forward to the time when they will be able to catch up with Stephen-- in Jakarta

AIBC Newsletter

L to R: Jeff Parker, Peter Baines, Paul Prokic, Jacinta Webb, Hugh Ritchie, Stephen Scott, Bronwyn Bartch, David Widjaja & Prof. Colin Brown

VIC Update

 

On Monday 12 July AIBC Victoria held its first in-person event for the year. This momentous occasion after repeated and lengthy lockdowns was well received by all. Professor Edward Buckingham, Director Engagement at Monash University, delivered a presentation entitled ‘Partnerships between Australians and Indonesians: A model for managing expectations’, in which he offered useful insights into business partnerships between Indonesia and Australia, including tips and tricks on choosing the right partner and the importance of growing together as partners. An enthusiastic question and answer session followed the presentation, with the venue proving to be a good place for relaxed networking.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne was represented by Ms Muniroh Rahim, Minister Counsellor of Economic Affairs and Ms Ratih Kombonglangi, Vice Counsellor of Economic Affairs. Other attendees ranged from Indonesia old-hands to newcomers on the scene keen to deepen business relationships between Australia and Indonesia.

After the great success of this event, AIBC Victoria looks forward to holding further events with a similar format.

AIBC Newsletter

AIBC Newsletter

AIBC Newsletter

AIBC Newsletter

Occupational Health and Safety: Protecting the Indonesian Healthcare Workforce during the COVID-19 Pandemic

 

AIBC Newsletter

The Australia-Indonesia Centre recently released its Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research (PAIR) Report on “Occupational Health and Safety: Protecting the Indonesian Healthcare Workforce during the COVID-19 Pandemic”.

“Indonesia has one of the highest rates of death for healthcare workers from COVID-19 in the world, with the national medical association estimating the toll is at least 718 by early March 2021.
The majority of the deaths have been doctors and nurses, and this is a grim fact in a country with an already low number of healthcare professionals to serve the population.”

See here to read more and download the report.

Australian Export & Investment Awards

 

AIBC Newsletter


Applications are now open for the Australian Export & Investment Awards.

Each year, the Australian Government honours and showcases extraordinary businesses to the export community, the nation and internationally.

Apply now in one or more of 13 national categories for your chance to be a part of the 59th Australian Export & Investment Awards.

See here for more details and to apply.

Swinburne Law School - Asian Commercial Law: Indonesia Investment Compendium

 

AIBC Newsletter

Under the leadership of Dr Jeremy Kingsley, Senior Lecturer of the Swinburne Law School, Swinburne University of Technology, students in Asian Commercial Law, recently developed an “Investment Compendium for Indonesia”.

AIBC National President Phil Turtle participated in the final presentation of the students work, and commended Dr Kingsley and his students on their efforts. Mr Turtle commented that “It was valuable to hear the insights from students who brought fresh eyes to the opportunities and challenges under IA-CEPA”.

AIBC congratulates Dr Kingsley and his students on the preparation of the Compendium, which can be viewed here.

As is noted in the covering letter to the Compendium, this work is from undergraduate students and needs to be read with this in mind.

Indoview

 

IIPC and BKPM Newsletters


The Indonesia Investment Promotion Centre (IIPC) has published its May and June newsletters with updates on Indonesia's investment climate and what's happening at IIPC Sydney.

Read the newsletters here and here.

BKPM in Jakarta also published their latest April newsletter, which can be viewed here.

 

Building Failure Liability - Construction Services

In his recent article, Bill Sullivan of Christian Teo & Partners, looks at regulations relating to liability for building failures.

"The Government has substantially amended a 2020 regulation dealing with construction services and liability for building failure.

The 2021 amendments are particularly interesting because of the greater clarity they now provide as to (i) what constitutes building failure and (ii) the link between liability for building failure and non-compliance with the increasingly onerous security, safety, health and sustainability standards that both construction service providers and building owners/users are expected to meet.”

To read this article in full, click here.



Relaxation of Mineral Export Requirements

In another article, Bill Sullivan of Christian Teo & Partners, looks at a relaxation in Mineral Export requirements.

"The Government has relaxed the export requirements for coal and certain metal minerals, until the end of 2021, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis being experienced by Indonesia.

This initiative will allow producers of coal and certain metal minerals, which have not met their domestic supply obligations or which have fallen behind in meeting their smelter construction progress targets, to continue to export.”

To read this article in full, click here.

 

Australian Avocados to Return to Indonesia

Australian avocados will make their long-awaited return to Indonesian retail shelves this year, with marketer The Avolution airfreighting the first consignment of Queensland grown Hass at the start of June.

Chief executive of The Avolution, Antony Allen, said he is excited by the prospect of re-entering Indonesia, following a period of absence.“

To read this article in full, click here.

 

Lowy Institute Poll 2021

Since 2005, the Public Opinion and Foreign Policy program at the Lowy Institute has conducted annual polling of Australian views on foreign policy to inform public debate.

In this year’s Poll on Indonesia, “Past polling has shown that Australians tend to be divided when it comes to our largest neighbour, Indonesia. In 2021, there has been a notable lift in trust, with almost half (48%) say they trust Indonesia, an increase of 12 points in the past year. Similarly, although Australians’ trust in Indonesia has improved in the past year, only a quarter of Australians (26%) say they have confidence in Indonesian President Joko Widodo..”

Read the Lowy Poll 2021 in full, including other insights relevant to the Australia-Indonesia relationship, here.

 

Bis Unearths Export Riches in Indonesia

AIBC Members Bis “is an Australian success story in Indonesia. The company employs over 250 local staff, counts some of Indonesia’s largest miners as key customers, and is well regarded for its innovative products and services.

Nine years ago, however, Bis was unknown in the Indonesian mining industry.

In this case study, President Director – Indonesia Andrew Prout explains how the company established itself in a market where it had no profile.”

To read this article in full, click here.

 

Joint Operation Against Illegal Fishing

The governments of Indonesia and Australia have concurred on conducting joint maritime patrol called Operation Gannet 5 to safeguard the sea borders between both nations, including from illegal fishing activities.

The coordinated marine patrol cooperation was marked by the inking of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) held virtually on Monday by representatives of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA), Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister (KKP), Australian Border Force (ABF), and Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).”

To read this article in full, click here.

 
 
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