Australia wishes to strengthen its economic ties with Southeast Asiaâs largest economy during the upcoming Indonesia-Australia Business Week (IABW) slated to run from Nov
ustralia wishes to strengthen its economic ties with Southeast Asia's largest economy during the upcoming Indonesia-Australia Business Week (IABW) slated to run from Nov. 17 to 20.
Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson said Monday that around 350 Australian businesspeople and four ministers ' one of the largest delegations in the country's relations history ' would attend the event to talk about business opportunities with their Indonesian counterparts.
'We are very keen to use this visit to reposition Australia and Indonesia economic ties,' he told reporters in Central Jakarta.
He added that his country would concentrate on investment while looking at the potential of both services and traded goods businesses during the forum, held after Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is scheduled to meet President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo in a visit set for Nov. 12.
Grigson said that the IABW delegation would be led by Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb alongside Health Minister Sussan Ley, Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton and Tourism and International Education Minister Richard Colbeck.
According to an embassy statement, made available Monday, the IABW program will cover eight industry sectors, listed as investment and tourism, education and transnational skills, agriculture, premium food and beverage, automotive aftermarket, infrastructure and transportation, healthcare and senior living and also resources and energy.
Highlighted events during the program include business matching, two days filled with up to 60 panel discussions, workshops, conferences and presentations held in Jakarta, site visits in Greater Jakarta, South Sulawesi and Bali as well as breakfast and a gala dinner.
Austrade Minister, commercial and senior trade commissioner Kym Hewett, said that during the site visits, especially in Makassar, South Sulawesi, delegation members would have the chance to look at infrastructure business opportunities as well as possibilities to expand broadly into Indonesia's eastern region. 'We hope that business relationships will be established and we can work on together going forward,' he said.
Data from Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) showed that Australian investments realization value reached around US$600 million last year, a two fold increase from the approximate figure of $200 million booked in 2013. Australia's investments during this year's first nine months stand at $104.61 million.
Meanwhile, Indonesia's trade value with Australia reached $10.68 billion last year, 13.5 percent higher than in 2013. However, the neighboring countries booked a mere $4.90 billion in trade amount from January to July this year, a 21.84 percent drop year-on-year (yoy) compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Indonesian Trade Ministry.
Major Australian imports from Indonesia are crude petroleum followed by heating equipment and parts, refined petroleum and specialized machinery and parts. Meanwhile, major Australian exports are wheat, live animals, sugar and beef, the embassy's statement read.
Grigson stated that his office did not plan to establish any deals targets for the business week, but expressed hope that Indonesian and Australian businesspeople could work together and export to third markets.
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