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)