Tell us about your connection to Indonesia
At the time I joined AIBC I was running a business making telco network products. Indonesia is a very big market for telecommunications, one that I wanted to learn more about, so I saw AIBC as a good organisation to join to learn more about the market and make useful contacts. More importantly, my wife is an Aussie but she was born and raised in Indonesia. She helps me understand Indonesia on every level. In the end, the telco business changed tack strategically so we didn’t end up doing business in Indonesia. Nowadays, we visit Indonesia every year or so, in different parts, purely for vacations.
What is your "day job”?
I am Senior Director of Commercialisation at UniQuest, the technology transfer company of the University of Queensland.
Do you speak Indonesian?
I speak a little Indonesian, probably at the level of a primary school child but when dealing with Indonesians a little bit goes a long way. If you are able to exchange greetings, be polite, order coffee or a meal in a restaurant that helps a lot in building relationships with people. To get where I am I’ve taken some Indonesian language courses, used some language learning apps and also practise at home.
Why are you a member of AIBC?
As I mentioned, I joined AIBC for a specific work reason. Now, as I serve as the QLD Chair and also on the National Board of AIBC I find it fulfilling to be able to help other business people in their journey in dealing with Indonesia. It’s also good to interact with DFAT, Austrade, TIQ etc in general in terms of international trade and diplomacy.
In your experience with trade and investment between Australia and Indonesia - what advice do you have for someone contemplating starting up/expanding into Indonesia
As with any venture into a new market, it’s best to see it as a longer term investment and not a short term transaction. It takes time to learn the culture, the language, the different system of doing business and to build quality relationships.
What Australian govt policies and support do you consider to be particularly helpful in relation to trade between Australia and Indonesia
DFAT and Austrade nationally, and TIQ and BCQ in Queensland are all very helpful and supportive of businesses looking to trade with Indonesia. Get to know them and learn how they can help.
Are there policy areas that you think need to be reviewed?
I think the free trade agreements give us a good platform. Now the hard work needs to be put in at the business / operational level to build long-lasting, trusting business relationships that deliver on the potential.
What do you love most about Indonesia (just 3 things!)
The friendly, gentle people, the food and the contrasts - in the one country you see simple farming and also one of the fastest growing, innovative digital economies.
