Tell us about your connection to Indonesia
I have been involved with manufacturing most of my life. This has transferred to an ever-growing manufacturing relationship with Indonesia. This includes import of building products and Australian designed tooling. All of our products manufactured in Indonesia are made using Australian standards and Australian design techniques. This in turn supports Australian manufacturing. My company also provides design advice services for aluminium extruded products. Our most recent venture provides machine parts for Australian companies where spare parts are no longer available. All of these are made in Southeast Asia with the support of my Indonesian team.
What is your "day job"?
Day to day, I manage the various businesses within Australia and Indonesia. Our simple but primary objective is to maintain a design improvement strategy focusing on all customer needs.
Do you speak Indonesian?
I speak Indonesian, having completed three years of study, which included one month of each year studying full time in Jakarta. My language skills always decline when not in use but rebound surprisingly after a few days back in Indonesia. A big thanks to taxi drivers and locals who always enjoy restoring my skillls.
Why are you a member of AIBC?
I have been an AIBC member for ten years, a committee for AIBC SA for seven years and Chair since 2022. I believe playing an active part in an organisation such as AIBC can help others develop a relationship with Indonesian businesses
In your experience with trade and investment between Australia and Indonesia - what advice do you have for someone contemplating starting up/expanding into Indonesia
Anyone wishing to explore business in Indonesia can always ask advice via our government bodies such as DFAT and Austrade. AIBC can also supply related government contacts, many of these available on the AIBC website. Look out for trade delegation visits to Australia as this can also help build a connection list. Most important is to find bodies or individuals with actual trade or business experience with Indonesia
What Australian govt policies and support do you consider to be particularly helpful in relation to trade between Australia and Indonesia?
The free trade agreement (IACEPA) is of course a useful tool as it fosters economic cooperation between our two countries. Indonesia is a rapidly growing country and economy, and Australian business should recognise the positive opportunities that are available. It also helps to make trade and investment enquiries more accessible and understandable.
Are there policy areas that you think need to be reviewed?
Anti-dumping measures for global trade for Australia could be assessed regularly and more robustly. It is a slow-moving process and we need to better align our trade laws with other countries to ensure fair competition.
What do you love most about Indonesia (just 3 things!)
Indonesia is a vast and beautiful country with so much to see. One thing that is typical however is the people. I love the friendly and curious nature of Indonesian people.
Meeting in markets or just in the street and sharing language and cultural contrasts is always great fun.
I also enjoy Indonesia’s passion and love for their country, language and culture.
In a business sense the Indonesian passion is what helps build relationships.
