Tell us about your connection to Indonesia
I have been actively trading dairy ingredients to Indonesia since 1990. In 2015 Ausfine established an office in Jakarta, becoming a licensed importer of dairy products. We now employ over 20 staff in Indonesia in sales, logistics, documentation support and finance functions.
What is your "day job"?
Executive Director, Ausfine Foods International
Why are you a member of AIBC?
With a heavy business involvement in Indonesia, it is important that I maintain connections to other businesses, decision makers and policy influencers to maintain maximum awareness and understanding about factors which may impact our business involvement.
Do you speak Indonesian?
It is a regret that I haven’t learned the language – a goal for the future.
In your experience with trade and investment between Australia and Indonesia - what advice do you have for someone contemplating starting up/expanding into Indonesia
Take time to understand the rules, guidelines and factors that influence your business. Follow the rules closely and don’t be tempted to take short cuts. Relationships are everything!
What Australian govt policies and support do you consider to be particularly helpful in relation to trade between Australia and Indonesia
Recent increased focus on the opportunity that business in Indonesia presents has helped, as has a maturing of the inter-governmental relationship over the last 10 years.
Are there policy areas that you think need to be reviewed?
Constant pressure needs to be applied to ensure non tariff barriers and administrative intervention are minimised.
What do you love most about Indonesia (just 3 things!)
The people, the opportunities, the unpredictability (sometimes).
