Foreword by the Minister of Industry and Trade
of the Republic of Indonesia,
Rini M.S. Soewandi

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome the issuance of the AIDA Business Directory 2002 edition. I appreciate the initiative made by AIDA by publishing a directory. The directory is one very good example of the diverse contribution made by the Australian business community to the Indonesian economy.

The aim of AIDA is to promote economic development between eastern Indonesia and Australia. AIDA provides a forum where private and public sectors meet to identify challenges and opportunities for private sector activities in the priority sectors of agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry; education and training; mining and energy; tourism; transport; and trade and industry. I encourage this forum to be enhanced, not only by increasing the quantity of meetings, but quality as well. I am also pleased that there is much progress in the development of the eastern part of Indonesia based on the cooperation between the Indonesian business community with their partners from Australia.

There are considerable complementarities between corporations in Australia and eastern Indonesia. Australian firms are technologically advanced, possess investment capital, and have excellent management and marketing skills. Indonesian firms in the AIDA provinces have access to land and labour, and to rich mineral, agricultural and marine resources. These complementarities allow for mutually beneficial trade and investment, including joint ventures and strategic partnerships.

The Indonesian Government is working hard to overcome infrastructure and regulatory constraints to make Indonesia’s AIDA region more investor-friendly. The fundamental changes occurring in the Indonesian economy, particularly in regard to deregulation and regional autonomy, will further improve the business environment in the AIDA region.

This directory complements the work being undertaken by Indonesia to improve the economic environment in eastern Indonesia by providing up-to-date market information. The directory enables Indonesian firms, especially small and medium-sized firms, to promote themselves to Australian partners and Australian firms.

I encourage readers to use the directory as a guide to further develop relationships in the Indonesian market, and hope that more Australian and international companies will take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the Indonesian economy.

Supported by funding from the Australian Agency for International Development ( AusAID ) the Australian Government's overseas aid agency.
Produced by Indonesia Management Specialists ( IMS ).
© 2001-2002 Commonwealth of Australia.
Updated on 22 May 2003.