Issue Number 88 - January 2010

President's Column

Chris Barnes, AIBC National President

Welcome to 2010! I wish all AIBC Members a Happy New Year and I hope that you've had a good start to 2010.

Improved Web Presence

AIBC has begun 2010 with a new look; our website - www.aibc.com.au - had a facelift in January as we completed the first phase of our improved web presence. I am sure you will agree that our new website is fresh, vibrant and reflects the renewal of our organisation. Over February and March of this year, new content and functionality of our website will be delivered, including significant updates to the "Members Only" area. This will ensure that our website is the principal communication platform that we have with our members.

You will also notice the change in format of this month’s AIBCnews. AIBCnews will also be further enhanced over the first half of 2010 and we welcome any feedback or suggestions that you may have to help us improve our services to members.

Activities for 2010

2010 is shaping up to be a busy year for the AIBC in all branches across Australia. I am pleased to report that we have had considerable interest from existing and potential members based in the Northern Territory and that we will have a new AIBC branch established in the NT in the first half of this year.

On 3 March the Australian Socceroos take on Indonesia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in an Asian Cup Qualifier. To coincide with the football match AIBC has partnered with Trade Queensland and Thiess to present Indonesia Queensland Business Showcase which include a Market Briefing, Mining Forum and AIBC Networking Event. More details can be found in this edition of AIBCnews, or on our Events Calendar.

Over February and March, we will also share with you the results of the Indonesia Perceptions Survey, which was polled in late 2009. A record number of AIBC members participated in the 2009 survey and the data is being compiled and released by AFG Venture Group, a long-standing AIBC member.

The first half of 2010 also brings a number of key events in Jakarta including the Ozmine Exhibition in March, a bilateral Trade Ministers Meeting and the Infrastructure Asia 2010 Conference and Exhibition.

The key event on the AIBC calendar for 2010 is the joint AIBC-IABC Conference which will be held in Australia in November 2010. We will update you regularly throughout the year to advise you of location, dates and costs. If you have any questions about the conference, or you would like to be involved on the Conference Committee, please contact AIBC Executive Officer, Ms Kirrilee Hughes, on eo@aibc.com.au

Membership Promotion

AIBC Memberships run to the financial year, and we currently have a "half price membership promotion" for small businesses and individuals who wish to join the AIBC for the remainder of this financial year. If you have any colleagues or friends who are interested in this offer, please encourage them to make contact by calling 1300 902 878.

As always, if you have any feedback or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me: president@aibc.com.au

IndoView

Australia owes a debt of gratitude to Indonesia's accidental president

From The Australian, 2 January 2010

Greg Barton

Australia lost one of its best friends in Southeast Asia with the passing of former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid on Wednesday 30 December, 2009. A controversial figure, particularly as president, Wahid was nevertheless loved and admired by tens of millions.

Most Australians who worked closely with Indonesia in the latter part of the Suharto period and the transitional years that followed Suharto's May 1998 resignation felt deep affection for Wahid. This was consolidated by his state visit to Australia in June 2001, in the last days of his presidency. Although by this time it seemed almost inevitable that he would be voted out of office by Indonesia's newly bellicose parliament, as indeed did happen a month later, his visit, the first by an Indonesian president since 1972, was widely regarded as a great success.

Greg Barton is the Herb Feith Research Professor for the Study of Indonesia at Monash University and biographer of Abdurrahman Wahid.

Visa-On-Arrival now up to 60 days

Under new regulations, Australian tourists and businesspeople are able to extend their visa-on-arrival for Indonesia to 60 days without needing to leave the country. From 26 January onwards, Indonesia will provide a 30-day visa-on-arrival, with the possible extension of another 30 days.

The Indonesian government has also announced that the 7 day visa-on-arrival will no longer be issued. For more details, see;

News from the Branches

Western Australia

New Consul-General for WA

The Indonesian government has upgraded its Consulate in WA in recognition of the importance of the WA-Indonesia relationship.

The role of WA Consul will also be upgraded to a 'Consul-General' status effective this month, and the new Consul-General will be the Hon. E.D. Syarief Syamsuri. Bapak Syarief is from Purwokerto in Java and will take up his appointment in February.

The WA committee of the AIBC will arrange a formal welcoming function in the near future.

Garuda Unveils New Look at WA Function

The WA team at Garuda were guests of honour at the end-of-year function held by the WA branch of the AIBC in December.

Garuda Australia's Stuart Brown and WA Sales Manager, Rob Moro, presented details of Garuda's new livery and schedules plus an update on the introduction of the new-generation series of Boeing aircraft to be used on the Bali-Jakarta-Perth route.

Garuda now operates 21 flights a week between Indonesia and WA using the new 737-900 NG series Boeing aircraft.

Some 58 members and guests attended the function held at the Consulate in Perth. Included in the attendance list were Professor David Hill from Murdoch University, Tony Cutler from Otraco Ltd, Bret Mattes from Star Energy in Indonesia and also Senator Alan Eggleston. Representing the AIBC were State Chair, Professor Michael Henderson, and Vice-Chair, Phil Turtle, along with National Vice-President, Ross Taylor.

Queensland

Indonesia Queensland Business Showcase - 3 March 2010

To coincide with the Australia vs Indonesia Asian Cup Qualifier football match at Suncorp Stadium on 3 March 2010, Trade Queensland, the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) and Thiess have collaborated to present a program showcasing the opportunities that exist in the Indonesian market for Queensland business.

A host of key and influential decision-makers from Indonesia will be in attendance at these events:

Attendance at the above events is free of charge for AIBC Members, however, due to high demand for places, registration is essential.

You can purchase your ticket to Australia Vs Indonesia Asian Cup Qualifier here. Kick off is at 7pm.

Please RSVP to AIBC Executive Officer, Ms Kirrilee Hughes, by 19 February 2010, Tel: 1300 902 878, Email: eo@aibc.com.au

Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM): Media Release

The first 100 days marks some major milestones and cements the new vision for Indonesia's Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). BKPM has been focusing its efforts on some "quick wins" that would unlock large value potential in terms of private investment, and at the same time lay down the foundation for its new vision and inclusive and sustainable investment in Indonesia.