VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - The Indonesia-Australia IndOz Conference business summit was held again at Brisbane City Hall on August 24, 2023.

The conference theme is "Indonesia: Gateway to ASEAN's Sustainable Trade and Investment".

IndOz 2023 was attended by 210 participants and invited speakers from among entrepreneurs, academics, government officials, and young professionals from various sectors.

One of the main highlights of IndOz 2023 was the Global Health Architecture. In this forum, renowned speakers such as Dr. Helen Haydon (Research Fellow at the University of Queensland), Nicole Nixon (CEO of Five Faces), Paul Bartlett (Director of IA-CEPA Catalyst), and Stephen Betts (Managing Director of B&A Technologies) explained the urgency of achieving equitable access to health services and the potential of digital technology in the development of health services.

The topic of Sustainable Energy Transition also took center stage, featuring speakers such as Haryo Yudho Sedewo (Director of the Indonesian Investment Promotion Center), Johanna Kennerley (Sustainability Manager at Ravenswood Gold), and Rod Commerford (Trade and Investment Commissioner at Austrade Jakarta).

The forum discussed successful collaboration models between research institutions and industry for a greener future and success stories in renewable energy development.

In his opening remarks, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Siswo Pramono said that 2023 is a good year in the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Australia.

Three years after the IA-CEPA agreement came into effect, total trade between the two countries increased by by 85% and Australian investment into Indonesia also increased by around 170%. The economies of Indonesia and Australia are complementary economies and this can be seen in how Indonesia's steel industry and food industries are supported by imports of iron ore and wheat from Australia.

"I hope that through the IndOz Conference, we can capitalize on this momentum and build the economic strength of Indonesia-Australia, or ASEAN-Australia," Ambassador Siswo Pramono continued.

The conference was also supported by Indonesian and Australian government representatives such as the Mayor of Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner, Australian Minister for Tourism and Trade, Don Farrell, Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment, Cameron Dick, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, Dr. Siswo Pramono and Indonesian Consul General in Sydney, Vedi Kurnia Buana.

Following the IndOz 2023 Conference, Brisbane City Hall hosted a Networking Dinner.

More than 320 participants attended to network while enjoying delicious Indonesian cuisine, including rendang and traditional Indonesian dance and music performances. In celebration of Indonesia's 78th independence, Brisbane's historic city hall was decorated with red and white lights.

"The active participation of participants, speakers, sponsors, and partners reflects the interest and potential for collaboration in the Indonesia-Australia relationship. We look forward to seeing this momentum continue," said Ashleigh Mansfield, IndOz 2023 Conference Director.

David Widjaja, Conference Advisor, also said, "We are thrilled to announce that the IndOz 2023 Conference exceeded all of our expectations, with a record number of attendees!".

The 2024 IndOz Conference is planned to be held in Bali, Indonesia. (VOI)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia is ready to hold the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) on September 5 and 6, 2023, in Jakarta to discuss and establish business cooperation.

The forum's theme is focused on the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Erick Thohir, informed here on Monday that AIPF is Indonesia's initiative as this year's ASEAN chair.

"There are three areas that AIPF will focus on, namely green infrastructure and resilient supply chain, digital transformation and creative economy, and sustainable and innovative financing," Thohir said.

The AIPF will serve as a platform for the private sector, the public, and SOEs from ASEAN and its partners to discuss and establish inclusive, collaborative, and concrete business cooperation, he added.

The forum will have panel discussions and talk shows that will bring together industry leaders, government expert staff, international financial bodies, international organizations, as well as world-class companies from ASEAN and its partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

It will include project exhibitions and business matching meetings.

At least eight SOEs, namely Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), Pertamina, Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), Bank Mandiri, Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), state holding MIND ID, Telkom Indonesia, and InJourney will participate in the event.

Meanwhile, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Standard Chartered, Google, Sun Cable, and the British Chamber of Commerce will also take part in the AIPF series.

A number of leaders from organizations and companies, including the World Economic Forum, ASEAN-BAC (Business Advisory Council), Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Maybank, Airbus, Microsoft, and the US Trade and Development Agency, will serve as speakers and panelists at AIPF.

"AIPF is a momentum to show the strategic role of SOEs and to expand investment cooperation in strategic SOE projects for the development of Indonesia, and strengthen ASEAN's position as the epicentrum of economic growth," Thohir said. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Lodewijk F. Paulus, has expressed the hope that Croatia will become an entry point for Indonesia's crude palm oil (CPO) exports into the European Union (EU).

"We still have problems with our CPO to enter the EU. Croatia, with its modern seaports, is expected to be our entrance," Paulus said after receiving a courtesy visit from a Croatian Parliament delegation here on Monday.

He said he hopes that Croatia, through its seaports, could become Indonesia's door to export its CPO products to central and eastern Europe.

Indonesia and Croatia established diplomatic relations in 1992.

Although it is a small country in Europe, Croatia has three modern ports, making it a strategic partner in the Balkan region, Paulus said.

"There is no reason for the EU to ban us because we have received their recognition on clean energy. Of course, bilateral relations must be profitable. We will see what (commodities) can be exported there," he explained.

He said the meeting also discussed cooperation in the defense and security sectors, especially related to Croatia's interest in exploring more intensive cooperation with Indonesia.

Paulus informed that he and the Croatian delegation also talked about potential disruptions that may occur due to the Russia-Ukraine geopolitical tensions.

According to him, geopolitical conflicts must be resolved because they can affect all sectors, including the economic sector by pushing up prices and living costs.

"We already feel the impact because we import wheat from Russia and Ukraine. One thing that makes us happy is that we are on the same side on how we care about peace," he said.

Indonesia is ready to be a moderator in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, he added. (antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - The Jakarta provincial government has prepared 24 electric buses to serve delegates from several countries during the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta.

"We have also readied 4 routes that will serve 8 electric buses each. Thus, 24 electric buses have been readied for the ASEAN Summit," the head of Jakarta's Transportation Office, Syafrin Liputo, informed here on Monday.

He said that the electric buses have been provided to support the mobility of delegates from the airport to other locations, which will be coordinated with the Ministry of Transportation.

In addition, the Jakarta government has prepared18 hotels for the delegatesby coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the summit, Jakarta's city bus service TransJakarta and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) will continue to operate.

However, later, a road opening-closing traffic scheme will be implemented on 29 road sections.

"Due to the implementation of opening-closing (traffic scheme), we appeal to the community to avoid the 29 road sections and choose alternative routes that we have identified," he said.

The 29 road sections will include the Asia Afrika Road, Kebon Sirih Road, Medan Merdeka Barat Road, Ir Juanda Road, Gerbang Pemuda Road, and Pintu Satu Senayan Road.

The Jakarta Transportation Office has identified alternative roads that can be used when the 29 road sections are closed, which will be adjusted to the venue of the summit.

The summit is scheduled to take place from September 5–7, 2023, at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Central Jakarta, with delegates from at least 26 countries in attendance.

Besides ASEAN countries, the summit will be attended by delegates from several other countries, including Australia, India, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, the United States, and Canada, as well as representatives of the United Nations (UN). (Antaranews)