Agribusiness took centre-stage during a series of seminars in Australia last week, which focused on how local businesses could take advantage of export and investment opportunities in Indonesia.
The Indonesia Now 2017 seminars were led by Sally-Ann Watts, Austrade’s Jakarta-based senior trade commissioner for Indonesia, in conjunction with state governments and peak industry associations.
The seminars outlined openings for Australia in the key areas of agriculture, aviation, marine, e-commerce, cybersecurity and fintech, education, future cities and health.
The agrifood and agtech component focused on Indonesia’s importance as a trade market for Australia, with agricultural exports to the South East Asian nation valued at A$3.2bn in 2016.
With Indonesia’s agricultural sector undergoing a stage of transformation, guests heard the next generation of farmers are now looking to new technologies to increase productivity. This includes solutions that maximise acreage usage and reduce waste.
The Indonesia Now 2017 seminarswere designed to build on past initiatives like the weeklong Indonesia Australia Business Week (IABW) missions undertaken in 2015 and in March 2017.
A delegation of 130 senior Australian business representatives – lead by Steven Ciobo, Australia’s minister for trade, tourism and investment – attended IABW 2017, which included a programme of 57 events across five cities including Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali and Lombok. Watts said the trade mission highlighted the enormous scope for Australian goods and services providers.
“Indonesia’s economy, currently the world’s 16th largest, is predicted to continue growing strongly to 2050. By that time, it is forecast to be the world’s fourth largest individual economy – compelling reasons why Australian businesses should enhance engagement with our neighbour,” Watts explained.
“However, the three main changes we have noticed in the Indonesian market include: the digital transformation of the economy; the emerging middle class; and the role that Australia can play in helping to improve living standards and closing the skills gap.”
