Indonesia is one of Australia’s closest neighbours. But surprisingly the two countries trade and invest very little with each other. It’s time to make the most of geography and work together to prosper. It is 20 years since Indonesia dumped Soeharto’s New Order, but even now, different perceptions about democracy remain central to the challenges and […]
Trade
Taking the Australia-Indonesia Relationship to the Next Level
With links between Canberra and Jakarta shifting towards an economic and strategic partnership, it is a time of disruption and opportunity for the relationship. The outcome will help shape the region. Amid the changing dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, many agree that there is the potential to increase economic, social, political and defence links between Australia […]
Can Jakarta and Canberra Become Soulmates?
Australia’s relationship with Indonesia needs to go beyond the successful management of incidents. To do this, it’s important to overcome trust deficits, taking steps that will bind rather than simply link the two countries. I hold very firmly to the view that the Indonesia-Australia relationship is critical to the future of both countries, certainly to […]
Digital economy: Unlocking scalable growth in Australia-Indonesia trade relations
Australia and Indonesia are both part of the G20, representing the world’s largest economies, yet there aren’t too many examples where two neighbouring major economies trade as little as Australia and Indonesia. Indonesia is only Australia’s 13th largest two-way trade partner last year, which puts the archipelago behind Hong Kong (12th), Singapore (7th), and New […]
Eco-tourism in eastern Indonesia – an education and training opportunity for Australia?
At Indonesia Australia Business Week in March 2017 a prominent Indonesian figure highlighted Australia’s ‘taste and style’ as its unique point of difference as a partner and investor in Indonesia. This is perhaps nowhere more poignant than in the tourism sector, given Australia’s culture of and expertise in developing sustainable eco-tourism in pristine natural environments […]
Makassar Consul General Richard Mathews on trade, education and business opportunities in Eastern Indonesia
Australia International Business adviser Leith Doody interviews Consul General to Makassar Richard Mathews during his October 2017 Australian visit. Richard discusses his personal history with Eastern Indonesia and offers unique advice on how Indonesian and Australian business and government can work together in developing this rapidly growing region.
‘The Indonesian economy is at a crossroads’ – Chatib Basri and Mari Pangestu on Indonesia’s economic future
At the Australian National University’s Indonesia Update 2017, held on September 15 and 16, Helen Brown of Bisnis Asia spoke to former Indonesian Minister of Finance M. Chatib Basri and former Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Pangestu about the future of Indonesia’s economy. “I would say that the Indonesian economy is at […]
‘We’re missing opportunities to trade with Indonesia’ – Harold Mitchell
Many Australians think of Bali as a beautiful place to drink cheap cocktails by the beach. But Harold Mitchell AC, Chair of The Australia-Indonesia Centre’s Board, sees work opportunities. “Europe is a great place for a holiday, but Asia is where the work is,” Harold said in a column for The Age today. And Australians […]
Minister Philip Dalidakis encourages “all-embracing” Australia-Indonesia trade relationship
At a dinner reception held as part of the Australia-Indonesia Leaders Program, Victorian Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis encouraged an “all-embracing” relationship between Australia and Indonesia. “The importance of the relationship is in that we don’t just talk about one specific part of it. That’s the real strength of where we’re going. We don’t […]