The visit began at EKONID's office in Jakarta, where Mrs. Olivia Noor, Head of Market Entry, welcomed the delegation alongside representatives from various energy sectors. Mr. Jonas Präfke of the German Embassy discussed the economic landscape, and Mr. Andreas Zötl from BMWK introduced the German Energy Solutions Initiative. Mrs. Alexandra Lutz of German Export Finance – Euler Hermes outlined financing options for businesses in Indonesia. The delegation engaged in a roundtable highlighting German expertise in energy projects and opportunities in IKN, featuring companies like PT Siemens Indonesia, PT Maharaksa Biru Energi Tbk., and PT Wilo Indonesia. 

The delegation then visited the New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) Directorate General at the Energy Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, where Mr. Hendra Iswahyudi, Director of Energy Conservation, Mr. Harris from the EBTKE Survey and Testing Center for Electricity, and Mr. Agus Nurhudoyo from the Planning Bureau, discussed Indonesia’s energy sector, including the aim to achieve 23% renewable energy by 2025 and net-zero emissions by 2060, as well as the need for energy storage solutions for remote areas.  

The day concluded with a visit to the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, where Minister Mochamad Basuki Hadimuljono expressed interest in German waste-to-energy technologies.  

Day 2: Roundtables and Networking  

On the second day, the delegation attended a roundtable with Indonesian energy associations, IKN investors, and selected companies. Ms. Alexandra Engel from EKONID led the session, featuring presentations from Dr. Andhika Prastawa from the Indonesian Society for Energy Conservation and Efficiency (MASKEEI) on sustainable energy practices for IKN and Mr. Widi Pancano of Indonesia Renewable Energy Society (METI/IRES), on integrated renewable solutions. Presentations from Mr. Danny Raharto of TotalEnergies and Mr. Hana Timoti PT Pertamina (Persero) covered energy demands and partnership opportunities. The day included project meetings and a pitching event at Ayana Midplaza Hotel, where German firms showcased their expertise in energy storage, infrastructure, and renewables, followed by B2B networking. 

Day 3: Energy Innovation Visits 

The delegation's third day featured visits to PT PLN Nusantara Power and PT Barito Pacific Group. At PT PLN Nusantara Power, the delegation was given a tour of the Nusantara InnoVision Center, which integrates advanced technology for energy project management. Discussions emphasized the company’s role in ensuring sustainable energy for IKN.  

Afterwards, at PT Barito Pacific Group, Mr. Hendra Soetjpto Tan, President Director of PT Barito Renewables Energy Tbk., highlighted advancements in geothermal energy and sustainable practices. The visit underscored collaboration potential and the company’s impact on Indonesia's energy landscape.  

Days 4 & 5: Exploring IKN’s Development 

The final days provided insights into IKN’s progress as the delegation traveled to the city of Balikpapan in the island of Kalimantan before proceeding to the site of the new capital in the eastern part of the island.  

At IKN, the delegation visited the Technology House, exploring cultural integration and sustainable urban planning through technology. A visit to Nusantara’s Central Government District, or KIPP area, showcased ongoing construction, and the Command Center demonstrated the use of big data and technology in monitoring smart city operations, including solar power performance. 

At the Integrated Waste Processing Site, discussions with Mr. Bagus Satrio Utomo from East Kalimantan Regional Settlement Infrastructure Center covered the nearly complete waste management site, sparking interest from the German waste-to-energy company Goffin. The day concluded with a brief visit to the Sepaku Semoi Dam and a networking dinner in Balikpapan. 

Fostering Bilateral Cooperation  

This delegation visit is a significant step in enhancing German-Indonesian collaboration in renewable energy, positioning German companies as key contributors to IKN’s sustainable development.  

EKONID / 91���� Indonesien would like to thank all the delegates, the German and Indonesian governments, the partner institutions, as well as all related stakeholders for their support in ensuring the delegation’s success. 

For more information on the delegation program or partnership opportunities, please contact 91���� Indonesien at info(at)ekonid.id. 

According to Article 2 of the Ministry of Industry Regulation, the following stakeholders are required to register with SIINAS, along with the respective features available to them: 

- Industrial Companies: These companies can report industrial data, obtain verified standard certificates, register their Domestic Component Level (TKDN) values, and secure technical consideration for import products. 

- Industrial Estate Companies: These companies can manage data related to industrial estates and monitor estate performance effectively by registering with SIINAS. 

- Trade Companies: These companies can obtain import approval for imported products by submitting reports detailing the distribution of products from the previous year.  

How to Register with SIINAS  

To register a company with SIINAS, follow these steps: 

1. Obtain a Business Identification Number (NIB) and a Tax Identification Number (NPWP). 

2. Register your company on the SIINAS website at SIINas - Login (kemenperin.go.id). 

3. After registration, you will receive a username and password via registered email within 2x24 hours, and your SIINAS account will be activated.  

In summary, SIINAS, launched in 2020, centralizes industrial data to address inefficiencies. By integrating data from industrial and industrial estate companies, SIINAS facilitates real-time monitoring, improves industry standardization, and supports data-driven policy analysis.

Day 1: Kick-off Event 

The mission began with a kick-off event at the Evangelisches Bildungszentrum Hospitalhof in Stuttgart. Mr. Antonius Yudi Triantoro, the General Consul of Indonesia in Frankfurt, welcomed participants, while German experts provided insights into market trends, key players, and the latest technologies in e-mobility. 

Beatrice Schulz from the German Storage Association discussed energy storage systems, focusing on applications in electricity, heat, and e-mobility. Stefan Büchele of e-mobil Baden-Württemberg highlighted the political landscape and regulatory frameworks crucial for market entry. Luigi Zullo, CEO of Very Energetic People, emphasized business opportunities in e-mobility. Stefan M. Buettner from the University of Stuttgart addressed systemic challenges and opportunities in implementing e-mobility, while Christian Schneider of SmartGrids Baden-Württemberg provided insights into smart grids and energy storage solutions. 

Day 2: Site Visits 

The second day featured site visits to prominent e-mobility locations. In the morning, participants visited Stuttgart Airport, known for its commitment to net-zero operational emissions by 2040. The airport has expanded its electric vehicle fleet, including electric buses, baggage tugs, and vans, all powered by battery technology since 2018.  

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the ZSW Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research in Baden-Württemberg. They explored battery testing facilities to understand cutting-edge battery technologies and their role in advancing e-mobility and renewable energy solutions. 

 Day 3: Research Laboratories 

The third day included visits to two significant research institutions. The first stop was at the Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung IPA, where participants explored prototype machines for battery cell production and dismantlement. The "DeMoBat" project, focusing on the industrial disassembly of batteries and electric motors, was highlighted. 

The second visit was to the Fraunhofer Institute IAO, where participants learned about "Smart Energy and Mobility Solutions". Innovations in electric vehicle fleet transformation, automated driving, and mobility data analysis were showcased. The "LamA - Charging at the Workplace"® project, with 240 operational charging stations, was also presented. 

Day 4: The Smarter E Europe 2024 Exhibition 

On the final day, the Indonesian delegation visited The Smarter E Europe 2024 exhibition, meeting with leading German companies including TESVOLT AG, BASF Stationary Energy Storage GmbH, VOSS Automotive GmbH, BAE Batterien GmbH, GP JOULE GmbH, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, and ads-tec Energy GmbH. They also visited the Joint Booth of the German Federal Association of e-Mobility. 

The four-day mission provided valuable insights into Germany's advanced practices and innovations, fostering potential collaboration and knowledge exchange between Indonesian and German stakeholders in the energy and e-mobility sectors.  

EKONID extends its sincerest gratitude to all the stakeholders and the participants for their support in making the mission a success. We look forward to more future collaborations to come. 

Rudy Setiawan emerged as Jakarta's champion with 46 points, securing a place in the Grand Finals. Patrick Steven Michelsen and Bryan Hartanto finished as runner-up and third place, respectively. Tomohito Hirabayashi and Ibu Ratih Astary won the Closest to the Pin competition for men and women, respectively, while Hervy Sulistyo achieved the lowest gross score with a score of 75. 

Celal Baykal, Turkish Airlines General Manager in Jakarta, expressed gratitude to the participants and congratulated the winners. “We warmly thank all of our guests who made the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup here in Jakarta a huge success. Once again, it was a thrilling tournament in the TAWGC series, congratulations to our winner, Rudy Setiawan. We wish him the best of luck in Türkiye,” he said. 

Finalists will enjoy the comfort of Turkish Airlines’ Business Class on their journey to Türkiye, where they will stay and play at the Gloria Serenity Resort & Gloria Golf Club on the Turkish Golf Coast. 

The Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup 2024 is supported by Gloria Hotels & Resorts and Ruck & Maul, continuing the tradition of making Antalya a premium destination for golfers. 

With an extensive background in energy management industry and a proven track record of leadership, Surya brings with him a wealth of experience and vision to PT Siemens Indonesia. Having served in various executive roles within the energy management landscape, Surya is poised to lead PT Siemens Indonesia into its next phase of growth and innovation. His deep understanding of market dynamics will be instrumental in driving the company's continued success and market leadership.

"I am very delighted to welcome Mr. Surya Fitri to the Siemens family," said Dr. Lamine Jendoubi. "His exceptional leadership skills and industry expertise make him the ideal candidate to lead our company forward. I am confident that under Surya's guidance, Siemens will reach new heights of success in Indonesia."

Regarding his appointment, Surya Fitri expressed excitement about his new role, stating, "I am honored to join PT Siemens Indonesia and eager to work alongside the talented team to unlock the full potential of our organization. Together, we will innovate, collaborate, and drive sustainable growth, delivering value to our customers and employees."

In addition, Surya will also assume responsibility as the Business Head of Smart Infrastructure at PT Siemens Indonesia. He has more than 30 years of experience in the Energy Management industry. Previously, he was the Vice President of Power 

Systems Business Unit at PT Schneider Indonesia where he spent around 10 years in various positions. Surya first joined PT Siemens Indonesia in 1991 where his last position was as Country Division Lead of Low- and Medium-Voltage until 2013. Surya graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the Swiss Polytechnic of the Institut Teknologi Bandung in 1988 and holds a bachelor’s degree in financial management from the University of Indonesia in 1994.

Earlier in December 2023, PT Siemens Indonesia appointed Ms. Yudy Liz Sevina Mawuntu, as the company’s first female Indonesian Director and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to this, she was the Asia Pacific Business Area Finance Head at Siemens Energy Asia Pacific. With over 15 years of experience, Yudy has gained extensive international expertise, having played important roles in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Germany. Her career began in 2005 with PT Siemens Indonesia soon after she graduated in Economics from Universitas Padjajaran.

This press release and a press picture is available at www.siemens.co.id/press

The event featured two prominent speakers: Mr. Priyo Tri Atmojo, S.E., M.M., the Associate Trade Analyst from the Directorate of Import of the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, and Mr. Rahmat Sarjito, the Customs Analyst from the Import Sub-Directorate of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise under the Indonesian Ministry of Finance. 

In a 30-minute presentation, Mr. Priyo elaborated on the impact of MoT No.8/2023, as detailed below: 

- Relaxation for 11 commodities, namely electronics, traditional medicine and health supplements, cosmetics and household health supplies, footwear, apparel and accessories, bags, valves, lubricants (raw materials), textiles and textile products, finished textile products, and certain chemicals; 

- Relaxation for the importation of sample goods, goods for research and/or product development not for commercial purposes; and 

- Relaxation of the import of manufactured goods as complementary goods, goods for market testing purposes, and/or manufactured goods for after-sales services by importers with NIB API-P (companies with a production license). 

A temporary policy for the release of imported goods that have arrived at the destination port for the period of March 10 – May 17, 2024, was also promulgated. 

Following Mr. Priyo’s presentation, Mr. Rahmat elaborated on the technical processes involved in the clearance of imported goods. He explained the three stages of cargo clearance, namely pre-clearance, customs clearance, and post-clearance procedures. In general, the pre-clearance process is a stage where importers or exporters look for information and apply for the required licenses or permits. The second stage has many processes, such as customs declarations, checking payment, risk profile checking, channeling, and inspection. After the process is completed, the importers or exporters will get a customs clearance permit. He also emphasized their role in mitigating challenges posed by port congestion.  

Seventy representatives from companies in Germany and Indonesia attended the online roundtable. During the Q&A session, different questions were discussed between the participants and speakers, including the different import requirements needed from companies with API-U (Angka Pengenal Impor–Umum or Importer Identification Number–General) import license and companies with API-P (Angka Pengenal Impor–Produsen or Importer Identification Number–Producer) import license. 

EKONID extends its gratitude to Mr. Priyo Tri Atmojo, S.E., M.M., and Mr. Rahmat Sarjito for their valuable contributions to the event’s success. The organization also thanks all participants whose engagement enriched the discussion and made the event a fruitful learning experience. 

Please stay tuned as we finalize the new date for this historic event in the first half of 2025.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this delay.

More than half of all Indonesians already live in cities, and by 2035 this figure is expected to rise to two thirds, or in absolute numbers: 205 million people. This development is a major driver of the need for drinking water supply, wastewater disposal, and recycling. 

In many larger cities such as Jakarta, Makassar (Sulawesi), Jambi (Sumatra), or the new capital Nusantara, sewage and recycling systems are planned. This requires a great deal of tunnel drilling, water treatment technology, piping systems, pumps, valves and measurement technology. 

According to the statistics office Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS), 92% of all Indonesians currently have access to "improved drinking water". Almost 41% get this from plastic bottles. But only a few percent have access to a central sewage system. Such a system only exists in parts of a few large cities. 

Jakarta expands drinking water supply 

A special situation prevails in Jakarta. The metropolis of 10 million with a further 24 million people in the surrounding area is sinking because a large part of the population is supplied by pumped groundwater. This makes the city vulnerable to flooding. At the same time, the city administration has defused the danger in recent years by clearing waste from sewers and rivers, installing pumps and building dams. In the PIK2 development area, which is located directly on the sea, land prices are reaching record highs. 

The extraction of groundwater in Jakarta is regulated by licenses, but is done illegally in thousands of cases due to a lack of alternatives. Only two thirds of the population is connected to the piped water network. According to the plans of the Jakarta provincial government, all residents should have a drinking water connection by 2030. To this end, reservoirs in West Java and in the province of Banten, west of Jakarta, are currently being developed as sources and pipes are being built from there.  

Billions invested in Jakarta's wastewater treatment system 

There is also a severe undersupply in the wastewater sector. In the growing cities there is hardly any regulated wastewater disposal, let alone recycling. In villages, small towns and on the poorer outskirts of larger cities, the wastewater simply sinks into the ground, and there are septic tanks for feces. In developed urban areas, households usually have so-called septic tanks for feces, which have to be emptied regularly. Wastewater flows into canals and rivers via underground drains.  

A huge project that will one day supply the entire metropolis is the so-called Jakarta Sewerage System (JSS). For this purpose, the city was divided into 14 areas. Five northern areas are to have their own sewage treatment plants by 2030, the other nine by 2050. The investment sum is stated to be US$5.2 billion. The main source of funding is to be the Jakarta province budget. Additional funds will come from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). But private financing is also planned. 

International organizations are also financing wastewater disposal. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is currently providing a loan of $420 million for projects in Semarang (Central Java), Pontianak (West Kalimantan) and Mataram (Lombok). This will reach around 2.5 million people. 

Water pipes are in poor condition 

Even outside of Jakarta, the need for investment in the underdeveloped Indonesian water sector is enormous. Over the coming decades, it is likely to reach three-digit billion US dollars. In the previous development plan for 2020 to 2024 alone, the equivalent of $10 billion was earmarked for connecting 10 million households to drinking water pipes and $11 billion for access to wastewater disposal. The largest share of this was to be raised from state funds. 

Only a minority of households are connected to a water supply network, and this sometimes even applies to larger cities. They are supplied by one of the approximately 380 municipal water suppliers, the so-called PDAMs (Perusahan Daerah Air Minum). Their pipe networks are in poor condition; according to official statistics, 17% of the water volume is lost through leaks. The PDAMs supply households with domestic water from rivers, lakes or reservoirs. The water charges are often not enough to cover business operations. According to 2021 data, around 40% of all PDAMs are considered to be at least financially troubled. 

The involvement of private companies in the water sector is a sensitive issue. A widely-publicized ruling in 2018 limited their commercial influence in Jakarta. Nevertheless, partnerships, especially with foreign players, are essential for the progress of the sector. In parts of Jakarta, for example, the formerly French and now Singaporean PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (Palya) manages part of the water supply. Foreign water suppliers are also active in other Indonesian cities. 

These public-private partnerships are a common business model in Indonesia and are awarded through public tenders. The Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model is popular. The private company covers the construction costs and operates the plant for a defined period of time (usually between 15 and 30 years). The local water authorities pay an agreed price per cubic meter. 

For the most part, people simply pump their water from the ground, either using a pump in their own home or using a local pumping station that supplies surrounding households. If these have filters and other purification devices, drinking water is produced. The water is usually boiled. 

High consumption in agriculture 

Indonesia is a tropical archipelago that is hot all year round. The seasons are divided into rainy and dry seasons. In the rainy season, water is plentiful, leading to floods and landslides. It also rains occasionally in the dry season. However, longer dry periods can lead to water shortages in some regions. The Lesser Sunda Islands to the east are particularly affected by this. The weather phenomenon El Ninho intensifies dry periods. In some places, parts of the population then have to be supplied with water by tanker trucks. Many large rivers, particularly on the densely populated island of Java, are heavily polluted and are not suitable for drinking without complex treatment.  

Small-scale farming and extensive plantation farming also require large amounts of water. According to Bappenas' Ministry of Planning, agriculture as a whole is responsible for 80 percent of national water consumption. In the dry season, water can be pumped out of the ground close to the surface in many places. Elsewhere, the lack of availability limits the cultivation of crops. Almost half of the agricultural irrigation systems are in poor condition, according to Bappenas. 

Source:  

The DIHK survey reveals that nearly a third (31%) of German companies operating internationally expect an economic recovery at their locations this year, up from 22% in autumn 2023. Conversely, only 19% foresee an economic slowdown, a decrease from the previous 28%. This shift indicates growing confidence among businesses, with the balance of better and worse economic assessments rising from minus six points in the fall to a positive twelve points, the highest in two years. 

Persistent Business Risks 

Despite this optimistic outlook, companies continue to face numerous challenges. Low demand remains the predominant concern, cited by nearly half of the respondents. Additionally, uncertain economic policy conditions are increasingly seen as a risk, affecting 43% of companies, up from previous surveys. The shortage of skilled workers also remains a significant issue, identified by 39% of respondents. 

The DIHK's adjusted export forecast for 2024 reflects these mixed sentiments. Following a 1.8% decline in German exports in 2023, the forecast for this year is expected to break even, showing no significant growth but also no further decline. 

Business Sentiment and Investment Intentions  

Despite the ongoing challenges, the business situation for German companies abroad has shown signs of stabilization. About 44% of companies report a good business situation, with another 45% describing it as satisfactory. The balance of positive versus negative business assessments has slightly improved, indicating a stable, if cautious, business environment. 

Investment plans, however, remain subdued. Only 32% of companies intend to increase investments over the next twelve months, while 16% plan to reduce them. This cautious approach reflects the ongoing uncertainties and high interest rates, despite falling inflation in many regions. 

Measures for Resilience  

The survey underscores the importance of diversification in supply chains to mitigate geopolitical risks. The DIHK's ideas paper, “Diversification of Supply Chains,” emphasizes the necessity for Germany to strengthen raw material partnerships. Critical dependencies on imports for raw materials and intermediate products expose the economy to vulnerabilities, as demonstrated by recent supply chain disruptions. 

Germany is advised to expand its domestic raw material extraction and deepen partnerships with countries like Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, Chile, and the DR Congo. Utilizing initiatives such as raw material monitoring by the German Mineral Resources Agency can help secure sustainable supply chains. Enhanced cooperation with European and global partners is also recommended to improve access, availability, and extraction conditions for essential resources. 

Indeed, in response to recent crises, companies have been diversifying their supply chains and exploring new markets. About 45% have opened new sales markets, and 47% have identified new suppliers for raw materials and intermediate products. This trend highlights a proactive approach to mitigating future disruptions. 

Additionally, 17% of companies have increased their stock levels, with another 19% planning to do so, ensuring they have reserves in case of future delays. The relocation of production facilities is also being considered, with 16% having already done so and 22% planning to move parts of their operations to more stable regions. 

About the 91���� World Business Outlook 

The 91���� WBO is based on a regular DIHK survey of the member companies of the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad, delegations and representative offices (91����s). 

In spring 2024, it collected feedback from 4,300 German companies, branches and subsidiaries worldwide as well as companies with close ties to Germany. The survey was conducted from March 25 to April 21, 2024. 

38% of the responding companies come from the industry and construction sector, 42% from the service sector and a further 20% are trading companies. Smaller companies with fewer than 100 employees account for 53% of the responses. 25% of the companies employ 100 to 1,000 employees.  

Large companies with more than 1,000 employees account for 22% of respondents worldwide. 49% are subsidiaries/branches of German companies, 31% are local or (non-German) international companies without a branch in Germany and a further 20% are local or (non-German) international companies with a branch in Germany. 

The DIHK survey reveals that nearly a third (31%) of German companies operating internationally expect an economic recovery at their locations this year, up from 22% in autumn 2023. Conversely, only 19% foresee an economic slowdown, a decrease from the previous 28%. This shift indicates growing confidence among businesses, with the balance of better and worse economic assessments rising from minus six points in the fall to a positive twelve points, the highest in two years. 

Persistent Business Risks 

Despite this optimistic outlook, companies continue to face numerous challenges. Low demand remains the predominant concern, cited by nearly half of the respondents. Additionally, uncertain economic policy conditions are increasingly seen as a risk, affecting 43% of companies, up from previous surveys. The shortage of skilled workers also remains a significant issue, identified by 39% of respondents. 

The DIHK's adjusted export forecast for 2024 reflects these mixed sentiments. Following a 1.8% decline in German exports in 2023, the forecast for this year is expected to break even, showing no significant growth but also no further decline. 

Business Sentiment and Investment Intentions  

Despite the ongoing challenges, the business situation for German companies abroad has shown signs of stabilization. About 44% of companies report a good business situation, with another 45% describing it as satisfactory. The balance of positive versus negative business assessments has slightly improved, indicating a stable, if cautious, business environment. 

Investment plans, however, remain subdued. Only 32% of companies intend to increase investments over the next twelve months, while 16% plan to reduce them. This cautious approach reflects the ongoing uncertainties and high interest rates, despite falling inflation in many regions. 

Measures for Resilience  

The survey underscores the importance of diversification in supply chains to mitigate geopolitical risks. The DIHK's ideas paper, “Diversification of Supply Chains,” emphasizes the necessity for Germany to strengthen raw material partnerships. Critical dependencies on imports for raw materials and intermediate products expose the economy to vulnerabilities, as demonstrated by recent supply chain disruptions. 

Germany is advised to expand its domestic raw material extraction and deepen partnerships with countries like Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, Chile, and the DR Congo. Utilizing initiatives such as raw material monitoring by the German Mineral Resources Agency can help secure sustainable supply chains. Enhanced cooperation with European and global partners is also recommended to improve access, availability, and extraction conditions for essential resources. 

Indeed, in response to recent crises, companies have been diversifying their supply chains and exploring new markets. About 45% have opened new sales markets, and 47% have identified new suppliers for raw materials and intermediate products. This trend highlights a proactive approach to mitigating future disruptions. 

Additionally, 17% of companies have increased their stock levels, with another 19% planning to do so, ensuring they have reserves in case of future delays. The relocation of production facilities is also being considered, with 16% having already done so and 22% planning to move parts of their operations to more stable regions. 

About the 91���� World Business Outlook 

The 91���� WBO is based on a regular DIHK survey of the member companies of the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad, delegations and representative offices (91����s). 

In spring 2024, it collected feedback from 4,300 German companies, branches and subsidiaries worldwide as well as companies with close ties to Germany. The survey was conducted from March 25 to April 21, 2024. 

38% of the responding companies come from the industry and construction sector, 42% from the service sector and a further 20% are trading companies. Smaller companies with fewer than 100 employees account for 53% of the responses. 25% of the companies employ 100 to 1,000 employees.  

Large companies with more than 1,000 employees account for 22% of respondents worldwide. 49% are subsidiaries/branches of German companies, 31% are local or (non-German) international companies without a branch in Germany and a further 20% are local or (non-German) international companies with a branch in Germany. 

Data from 2021 indicates that the drinking water service level provided by PERUMDA Tirta Prabawa Mukti has only reached 3.67%, serving 15,860 people out of a total population of 432,599. Additionally, 45,891 individuals, or 10.61% of the population, receive services from non-PDAM piped network systems (SPAM), while the majority of the remaining population relies on non-piped SPAM. 

Discussions during the meeting included an evaluation of a potential new water source at Cibodas in Cibanteng Village, which is expected to support service improvement efforts by PERUMDA. This source, with a capacity of 50 liters per second, is planned to serve the domestic and industrial needs of customers in the surrounding area, as part of efforts to provide better and broader water infrastructure in the region. 

This collaboration aims to accelerate the achievement of the drinking water service target of 86.83% by 2040, as outlined in the Pangandaran Drinking Water and Sanitation Master Plan (SPAM). Wilo Pumps Indonesia is committed to supporting the development targets of SPAM in Pangandaran through this strategic collaboration. The company hopes that this collaboration will bring about innovation and efficiency, contributing to the improvement of the quality of life for the people of Pangandaran. 

After a session of constructive discussions, the meeting concluded dwith a group photo session and a communal iftar event. 

About PT Wilo Pumps Indonesia: 

PT Wilo Pumps Indonesia is a subsidiary of the Wilo Group, one of the world's leading suppliers of premium pumps and pump systems for building services, water management, and industrial sectors. The Wilo Group currently employs over 8,400 people worldwide. With innovative solutions, smart products, and individualized services, we provide intelligent, efficient, and environmentally friendly services to keep water flowing. We have been digital pioneers in this industry with our products and solutions, processes, and business models. 

For more information, visit www.wilo.com/id/en. 

The result is a Waste Code Catalogue, a national reference for standardized data formats that incorporated a regional reference code guided by relevant regulations, created two years after the initiative began in 2021. A technical guideline was further achieved in mid 2023.  

Though the data structure within the information systems of the pertinent ministries must still be adjusted to provide a streamlined reporting system, the catalogue would enable the country to make future waste management decisions with reliable data and information. 

The initiative itself is part of a project dubbed the Emission Reduction in Cities through Improved Waste Management, or ERiC-DKTI. The four-year long project was done in collaboration with the German government and had also resulted in six policy recommendation analysis reports, three regional regulations on waste management fee adjustments, guidance on waste sorting for more than 558 households, as well a digital calculator for waste management fee calculation. 

This is all to say that Indonesia is another step closer towards having a proper waste management system.  

Formalizing waste collector in synergy with EPR 

One major obstacle in the country’s waste management sector is financing.  

While countries such as China and the Germany have set rules and infrastructure for waste management, Indonesia does not have yet a proper standard to even set up waste handling fees, resulting in lack of funds to build proper waste management infrastructure such as incinerators, or even garbage compactors. 

In that regard, the establishment of the Waste Code Catalogue and digital calculator for waste management fee calculation could go a long way in resolving the issue. Already the nation is seeing several cities and regencies adjusting their waste handling fees to properly tackle their mounting waste problem. The Mandung landfill in Jembrana, Bali, for example, has raised its waste handling fee from just Rp 50,000 (roughly US$3) per truck delivery to Rp 150,000. The city of Medan also nearly tripled its waste handling fee this year, having last increased waste handling fee in 2006.  

One way in which cities and regencies could channel the money from the increased waste handling fee is by formalizing the work of waste collectors. Dominated by informal workers, waste collectors – known locally as pemulung – play a significant role in supplying recyclable plastics to the country’s waste management sector, contributing over 80% of the plastic and paper used by recycling companies. 

Additionally, the nation has paved the way for the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), enshrined under Indonesia Waste Management Act of 2008, which has been further laid out for implementation via Government Regulation No. 97/2017 (also known as Jakstranas) and Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 75/2019. These regulations set the path for industries, particularly the consumer goods, retail, as well as hotels and restaurants sectors, to actively participate in the streamlining of the waste management process from production to consumption to recycle and reuse. 

A collaborative effort 

According to Bappenas, by establishing a strong recycling industry, Indonesia can expect to create 1,000 new companies, absorb 3 million laborers, contribute up to Rp 200 trillion rupiah in Gross Domestic Product by 2030, while reducing waste by 50 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 29 to 41 percent. 

The Waste Code Catalogue is one major step towards achieving that goal, but there is still a lot more to be done. The implementation of EPR in Indonesia is still in its nascent form, with only major companies, such as Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Nestle, investing proportionately in meeting their EPR targets. 

A largely still-missing piece is public participation, wherein domestic and household wastes tend to be more difficult to recycle due to their level of impurities and the negative effects it causes to the mechanical properties of products such as tensile strength, tear strength, and durability. 

It’s relevant to note that community managed waste banks play a sizeable role in the effort to have households sort their trash prior to collecting. According to the SIPSN databank, as of April 2024, there are 25,685 waste bank units spread across the archipelago, a significant increase from only over 7,500 in 2018. As waste banks sit right in the middle between households and waste collectors, the government could do more to incentivize partnership between corporations and waste banks to improve the overall waste management capacity – aside from directly promoting the formalization of waste collectors. 

Overall, the pieces are in place for Indonesia to vastly improve its waste management, with both the private and public sector posed to benefit. All it takes is for all parties to actively participate in the existing frameworks and to continue pushing forward for a brighter, greener future. 

German companies have very good opportunities, as the development of efficient collection systems is important. A good indicator of Indonesia's further efforts will be the waste management system that is yet to be set up for the new capital Nusantara. A modern green city is being built east of Kalimantan (Borneo), which will take over Jakarta's capital from August 2024. The contract for the construction of the first plant has already been awarded. The target is a recycling rate of 60%. The remaining 40% is to be used to generate electricity. 

To discuss this issue and more, the German-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (91���� Indonesien/EKONID) in cooperation with VDMA, will host a business initiation for German companies in the field of waste management and recycling from November 4 to 8, 2024, with the aim of introducing relevant decision-makers and potential business partners from both Germany and Indonesia in both a conference and B2B meeting sessions.  

For more information or to sign up for the business delegation, click here 

Two guest speakers from the Indonesian government shared their insights and knowledge at the event: Mr. Wihadi Sutrisno, Jr. Analyst on Immigration at the Immigration Traffic Directorate at the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Right, and Mr. Ali Chaidar, Sub-Coordinator of the Eligibility Test and Ratification of RPTKA (Foreign Worker Utilization Plan) in the Services Sector from the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower. Nurul Khasbullah, Senior Executive of Legal and Investment Consultation Services at EKONID, hosted the event. 

During his presentation, Mr. Wihadi stated that the new regulation provided more flexibility for investment and business-related activities in terms of visa applications. Mr. Wihadi also took the opportunity to discuss more about Indonesia’s Golden Visa policy, which is facilitates immigration for foreigners to enter or stay in Indonesian territory for 5 to 10 years. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Chaidar shared the legal basis for the utilization of foreign workers, specifically in relation to Law No. 6 of 2023 on Job Creation, as well as Minister of Manpower Decree No. 228 of 2019, which outlines the jobs where expatriates may be employed.  

Mr. Chaidar said that in order to employ a foreign worker, the employer is required to have a ratification of the plan for the employment of a foreign worker. However, this stipulation is not mandatory for directors or commissioners with a certain share, diplomatic and consular officers at representative offices of foreign countries, nor for foreign workers in a force majeure condition. 

We hope that, through the Online Roundtable, EKONID members have gained some measure of clarity regarding visa and work permit for foreign workers conducting overseas assignment in Indonesia. We extend our gratitude to Mr. Wihadi Sutrisno, Mr. Ali Chaidar, as well as the participants who helped make the event a success.  

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Dr. Jendoubi emphasized the importance of reducing emissions from critical sectors like transportation, buildings, factories, and energy systems to combat climate change effectively. 

“Energy transition and the decarbonization of industry are primary catalysts for infrastructure transition. Reducing emissions from industrial and urban sectors such as transportation, buildings, factories, and energy systems are important to fight climate change. Siemens as a technology partner for digital transformation continue to support Indonesia's transformation in areas where the country needs more resource-efficient factories, smarter buildings and grids, transportation systems, as well as cleaner and more reliable energy,” stated Dr. Jendoubi. 

One of the key highlights of the summit was the Siemens Technology Vertical Expo, where participants had the opportunity to engage with experts across six focused industries, encompassing Data Center, Smart Urban (including Smart Hospital), Food & Beverage, Pulp & Paper, Utility, and Minerals.  

Furthermore, the summit also witnessed signing ceremonies under the Siemens University Initiative, reflecting the company’s commitment to supporting Indonesia’s green energy transition and workforce development. Siemens Indonesia cemented its partnership with Swiss German University (SGU), focusing on joint research into emerging cybersecurity technologies for the industry. Additionally, Siemens Indonesia extended its support to academia by awarding in-kind software grants to Universitas Indonesia, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, and Institut Teknologi PLN, further enhancing their capabilities in power system planning and simulation. 

Stellenbezeichnung : Senior Executive (m/w/d) – 91���� Indonesien 
Projekt : ProRecognition 
Bericht an : Projektleitung 
Voraussichtliches Datum des : ��ä����/���������&�Բ�����;
Beschäftigungsbeginns / Zeitraum des �մǰ����ٱ�����ܲԲ�����������ä����� : März
Arbeitsort : Jakarta 

Über uns 

Wir, die Deutsch-Indonesische Industrie- und Handelskammer (EKONID), gehören zum weltweiten Netzwerk der deutschen Auslandshandelskammern (91����) und vertreten die bilateralen Wirtschaftsinteressen indonesischer und deutscher Unternehmen. Als strategisches Netzwerk unterstützten wir Unternehmen und Institutionen aus beiden Ländern bei der Entwicklung neuer Handels- und Investitionsmöglichkeiten. Um mehr über uns zu erfahren, kannst du unsere Website besuchen. 

Über ProRecognition 

ist ein vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) gefördertes Projekt zur Beratung von Fachkräften aus dem Ausland, die Interesse an einer Arbeitsaufnahme in Deutschland haben. Speziell geht es um die Beratung zur Anerkennung der jeweiligen erlangten Qualifikationen in Deutschland. Für das 91����-Netzwerk wird die Implementierung von der zur Deutschen Industrie- und Handelskammer (DIHK) gehörenden DIHK Service GmbH koordiniert. Seit 2024 sind wir Teil von ProRecognition und suchen Verstärkung für unser Projektteam. 

Deine wichtigsten Aufgaben 

• Eigenständige Beratung interessierter Fachkräfte bzgl. der Möglichkeit zur Anerkennung der vorhandenen Qualifikationen in Hinblick auf eine Arbeitsaufnahme in Deutschland 
• Planung und Durchführung von Beratungs- und Präsentationsveranstaltungen sowie Messebeteiligungen in digitaler und physischer Form 
• Regelmäßige Dokumentation der Projektaktivitäten und -ergebnisse und Sicherstellung, dass alle notwendige Belege für die finanzielle Abrechnung der Aktivitäten verfügbar sind und aufbereitet werden 
• Koordination mit Anbietern und Sammeln und Bearbeiten von Rechnungen Dritter 
• Aufbereitung der notwendigen Informationen und Unterlagen für das interne und externe Berichtswesen unter Einhaltung der Vorgaben der DIHK in Deutschland 
• Konzeptionierung, Erstellung und Pflege des monatlichen Inhaltskalenders auf Basis häufiger Kundenanfragen, Durchführung von vierteljährlichen Inhaltsaudits 
• Repräsentation des Projekts gegenüber indonesischen Institutionen sowie Zuarbeit bei der Koordinierung mit weiteren Partnerorganisationen im In- und Ausland 
• Ausarbeitung von Analysen zur Identifizierung von Sektoren mit Anwerbungspotential 
• Konzeptionierung und Koordination von kurzen, Interview- und Video-Testimonials mit erfolgreichen Kunden, Erstellung von Inhalten für die ProRecognition-Website, den monatlichen Newsletter, Social-Media-Kanäle und Druckmaterialien 

Anforderungen 

• Indonesische Staatsangehörigkeit 
• Hochschulstudium (möglichst mit Bezug zu Deutschland)  
• Mindestens 3 Jahre Berufserfahrung in einer beratenden Tätigkeit 
• Interesse am Thema Fachkräftemigration, sehr gute Kenntnisse des indonesischen Bildungssystems und idealerweise gute Kenntnisse des deutschen Bildungssystems 
• Sehr gute Deutschkenntnisse (C1) sind essenziell für die Zusammenarbeit mit den deutschen Behörden und Partnerorganisationen 
• Interkulturelles Bewusstsein, strukturiertes, termingerechtes und ergebnisorientiertes Arbeiten 
• Teamplayer mit Kunden- und Serviceorientierung 
• Gute Kenntnisse der MS Office Anwendungen sowie die Bereitschaft den Umgang mit weiteren Software-Anwendungen zu erlernen 

Was bieten wir? 

Wir bieten eine leistungsorientierte Vergütung innerhalb eines motivierten und innovativen Teams und die Möglichkeit zum selbstständigen Arbeiten innerhalb eines modernen Büroumfelds. 

Haben wir dein Interesse geweckt? Dann sende bitte deine vollständige Bewerbung in deutscher oder englischer Sprache an: Mrs. Angeline Liangie, Head of HR and General Affairs | hrd@ekonid.id. Bewerbungsfrist: 15. März 2024

Junior Executive (m/w/d) – EKONID / ProRecognition 

Stellenbezeichnung : Junior Executive (m/w/d) – 91���� Indonesien 
Projekt : ProRecognition 
Bericht an : Projektleitung 
Voraussichtliches Datum des : ��ä����/���������&�Բ�����;
Beschäftigungsbeginns / Zeitraum des �մǰ����ٱ�����ܲԲ�����������ä����� : März
Arbeitsort : Jakarta 

Über uns 

Wir, die Deutsch-Indonesische Industrie- und Handelskammer (EKONID), gehören zum weltweiten Netzwerk der deutschen Auslandshandelskammern (91����) und vertreten die bilateralen Wirtschaftsinteressen indonesischer und deutscher Unternehmen. Als strategisches Netzwerk unterstützten wir Unternehmen und Institutionen aus beiden Ländern bei der Entwicklung neuer Handels- und Investitionsmöglichkeiten. Um mehr über uns zu erfahren, kannst du unsere Website besuchen. 

Über ProRecognition 

ist ein vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) gefördertes Projekt zur Beratung von Fachkräften aus dem Ausland, die Interesse an einer Arbeitsaufnahme in Deutschland haben. Speziell geht es um die Beratung zur Anerkennung der jeweiligen erlangten Qualifikationen in Deutschland. Für das 91����-Netzwerk wird die Implementierung von der zur Deutschen Industrie- und Handelskammer (DIHK) gehörenden DIHK Service GmbH koordiniert. Seit 2024 sind wir Teil von ProRecognition und suchen Verstärkung für unser Projektteam. 

Deine wichtigsten Aufgaben 

• Unterstützung der Projektleitung bei der administrativen Abwicklung des Projekts (u.a. Geschäftsreisemanagement, Veranstaltungsmanagement, Zuarbeit beim internen und externen Berichtswesen inkl. Pflege des ProRecognition Statistik-Tools der DIHK) 
• Unterstützung bei der Organisation und Durchführung von Beratungs- und Präsentationsveranstaltungen sowie Messebeteiligungen in digitaler und physischer Form 
• Erstellung von Präsentationen, Webseitentexten und Marketingmaterialien zur Bewerbung des Projekts und unserer Aktivitäten, um damit unser Netzwerk stetig zu erweitern 
• Erfassung von Kontaktdaten in der Datenbank-Software, so dass diese jederzeit abrufbar sind 
• Unterstützung bei der Ausarbeitung von Analysen zur Identifizierung von Sektoren mit Anwerbungspotential 
• Beratung interessierter Fachkräfte in Bezug auf die Anerkennungsfähigkeit der verfügbaren Qualifikationen in Deutschland 

Anforderungen 

• Indonesische Staatsangehörigkeit 
• Hochschulstudium (möglichst mit Bezug zu Deutschland) 
• Interesse am Thema Fachkräftemigration 
• Gute bis sehr gute Deutschkenntnisse (Minimum B2, besser C1) sind essenziell für die Zusammenarbeit mit den deutschen Behörden und Partnerorganisationen 
• Interkulturelles Bewusstsein, strukturiertes, termingerechtes und ergebnisorientiertes Arbeiten 
• Teamplayer mit Kunden- und Serviceorientierung 
• Gute Kenntnisse der MS Office Anwendungen sowie die Bereitschaft den Umgang mit weiteren Software-Anwendungen zu erlernen (insbesondere Zoho-Applikationen) 
• Erste Erfahrungen in den Bereichen Kundenberatung und Veranstaltungsorganisation wären hilfreich 

Was bieten wir? 

Wir bieten eine leistungsorientierte Vergütung innerhalb eines motivierten und innovativen Teams und die Möglichkeit zum selbstständigen Arbeiten innerhalb eines modernen Büroumfelds. 

Haben wir dein Interesse geweckt? Dann sende bitte deine vollständige Bewerbung in deutscher oder englischer Sprache an: Mrs. Angeline Liangie, Head of HR and General Affairs | hrd@ekonid.id. Bewerbungsfrist: 15. März 2024

Ms. Marianne Friese, CEO of the Berlin- and China-based Marianne Friese Consulting, who was among the 20 representatives that took part in the roundtable discussion, said she looked forward to the growth of the Indonesian medical devices industry. 

“I’m optimistic to see how rapid Indonesia is advancing to be an even more appealing business partner for Germany,” said Ms. Friese. 

Mr. Erwin Hermanto, Chairman 1 of ASPAKI, who attended the pitching event on February 21, highlighted the importance of such events in facilitating dialogue between foreign and domestic stakeholders. He also advocated more targeted discussions to enhance mutual understanding of investment opportunities.  

“I think events like this should be hosted more frequently to address potential gaps in understanding regulatory developments and investment relations between foreign and Indonesia’s stakeholders. Focus group discussions are also possible to foster further engagement, in collaboration with EKONID,” Mr. Hermanto said. 

EKONID would like to thank all the participants who attended this German Trade Mission, as well as our supporting partners. 

Mr. Syahroni Ahmad, Director of Access to Industrial Resources and International Promotion at the Ministry of Industry, presented the Indonesian government's initiatives aimed at fostering growth and innovation within Indonesia's downstream industry.

Moreover, Dr. Christofer Arisandy, President Director of BASF Indonesia, delved into the company's initiatives in optimizing Indonesia's market potential, shedding light on pivotal strategies driving growth in the downstream sector, supported by BASF's ambitious carbon management goals aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 and a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with investments of up to €4 billion. BASF will also attend the upcoming ACHEMA exhibition in Frankfurt.

Indonesia's rapid strides towards Industry 4.0 integration underscore its unwavering commitment to digital transformation and innovation. Initiatives like the Indonesia Industry 4.0 Roadmap epitomize the nation's embrace of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and IoT, positioning Indonesia as a regional vanguard in digital innovation. Beckhoff, represented by Ms. Gabrielle Glenda Yauwira as Business Development, also joins ACHEMA in Frankfurt to discuss the acceleration of Indonesia's Industry 4.0, further emphasizing the country's dedication to technological advancement.

The event was attended by Mr. Maximilian Mauer, First Secretary – Economic Affairs, German Embassy, giving welcome remarks to represent Germany’s support for Indonesian Downstream Industry growth.

"We are thrilled to be part of the ACHEMA Business Conference, where industry leaders gather to explore opportunities and challenges in Indonesia's downstream sector. Collaboration between government entities and private enterprises is essential to drive innovation and sustainable growth," expressed Mr. Syahroni Ahmad, Ministry of Industry.

"Our partnership with Indonesia exemplifies the deepening economic ties between our nations. By leveraging Germany's expertise and Indonesia's dynamic market, we can foster mutually beneficial outcomes and drive the downstream industry towards a more sustainable and prosperous future," remarked Mr. Frank Malerius, German Trade & Invest.

About ACHEMA

ACHEMA serves as the global forum for chemical engineering, process engineering, and biotechnology. The leading show for the process industries, held every three years in Frankfurt, covers a spectrum ranging from laboratory equipment to safety technology, catering to the needs of chemical, pharmaceutical, and food production industries. The next ACHEMA takes place from June 10 to 14, 2024, in Frankfurt am Main. More at .

About Process Innovation Asia-Pacific – Powered by ACHEMA

Process Innovation Asia-Pacific – Powered by ACHEMA, slated for November 19 to 21, 2024, at Singapore EXPO, is set to drive innovation, industrial growth, and sustainable development within these sectors. Anchored in Singapore, the event will accelerate adaptability to market changes and support industries on their journey towards becoming higher value-added entities.

About EKONID 

The German-Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (EKONID) is part of the worldwide network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (91����) and was founded more than 90 years ago. With a local network of nearly 400 companies, organizations and individual members, as well as a global network of 150 offices of reliable and trustworthy partners in 93 countries and a global membership of 42,000, EKONID is well positioned to act as platform for international knowledge transfer and to support bilateral business relationship between Indonesia and Germany. More at ahk.indonesien.de 

Accordingly, Indonesia has seen an emergence in medical device production companies. According to data from the Indonesian Association of Medical and Laboratory Equipment Companies (), in 2018–2019, Indonesia only had companies. In 2022, that number had grown to 800 industries. At the time of this writing, the number of medical device companies in Indonesia had grown to 1,043. 

The government is aware however that the country still needs to work together with, and require investments from, foreign investors. Therefore, to further boost the nation’s capability in garnering investment in the sector, the government introduced a new Health Bill, of which the House of Representatives approved on of this year. 

How The New Health Act Affects The Medical Devices Sector 

Through the Health Act, or Law No. 17/2023, the government conducted a consequential reform that may affect the nation’s medical device industry in numerous ways. 

First: the act eases the path for the licensing of medical devices. Article 36 of Chapter 15 of Law No. 36/2009 on Health provides protection for the public through the obligation of having a distribution permit in the procurement of every medical device. However, there are criticisms that the for medical devices in Indonesia are too complicated, which hinders ease of doing business and investing. In response, the new Health Act regulates the intended public protection through the obligation of having business permits for those who will produce or distribute pharmaceutical medical devices – effectively omitting the requirement of a distribution permit. Against this background, it is hoped that the new regulation would make it easier to distribute medical devices and drugs as the process would be streamlined through the government’s existing Online Single Submission (OSS) system, as alluded to in sub-article 5 of article 346 of the new Health Act. 

Second: the bill makes it possible for foreign doctors and health workers to work in Indonesia as long as they meet the requirements. This new policy is regulated in article 246 all the way through to article 257 of the new Health Act.  

While the new policy remains unpopular among local health workers – and is currently under threat of a legal challenge – concerns about the limited quantity as well as quality of Indonesian health workers continues to be pressing issue, especially within the past several years following the issuance of a universal health coverage law in 2014. Indonesian President Joko Widodo himself echoed the concern, saying that nearly Indonesian citizens choose to get medical treatment abroad in early 2023. Another evidence of health worker scarcity is the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) which states that the ratio of the number of doctors and patients, including general practitioners and specialists, in Indonesia stands at 0.46 per 1,000 – the in ASEAN. 

By allowing foreign doctors to work in Indonesia, it is hoped that the country would be able to meet the demand for quality health care domestically. Moreover, the presence of foreign doctors in Indonesia could further broaden the Indonesian health industry to new medical technologies and knowledge.  

Third: the act also eases business access for foreign investor looking to establish hospitals in Indonesia. Considering the fact that many Indonesians choose to go to other countries to seek health treatment, Mr. Widodo’s eagerness to have internationally renowned hospital operating domestically is understandable. Over the past few years, only two notable international hospital have been opened in Indonesia, namely the , which was built in collaboration with the US-based Mayo Clinic, and the , which stands under the auspices of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. The addition of new international hospitals could further open the door for more international-quality medical technologies to be present in Indonesia, further enriching the domestic health industry. 

Recommendation for Investors 

With the wider investment opportunities offered by the new Health Law, it would be prudent to pay attention as to what medical device products are needed in Indonesia.  

Import of Indonesia’s medical instruments in thousands US$ (Source: Trademap) 

Indonesia’s imports of medical instruments in four categories have had a growing trend since 2015. Indonesia’s biggest source countries for HS 9018’s commodities in 2022 were China with US$177,415,003, followed by the United States with $104,098,000, and Germany with $87,579,000. As for Indonesian imports of HS Code 7017 in 2022, China also topped rank as Indonesia’s largest source with $3,398,000, followed by Vietnam with $1,467,000, and Germany with $1,429,000. For wadding, gauze, and bandages in 2022, China also remains the dominant player with $21,798,000, followed by Germany with $5,073,000, and the United States with $2,521,000. 

The rising demand for health services and the increasing priority for health among its citizens are the main contributors for the growing percentage of imports. Indonesia’s health sector has seen significant development in terms of per capita spending and priority for the health index. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded the archipelago’s consistent rise in per capita health spending for two decades, from 34 dollars in 2005 to 133 dollars in 2020. As for priority for the health index, Indonesia has also been posting a stable rise – from 4.2% in 2005 to 10.1% in 2020. Additionally, Business Monitor International (BMI), a subsidiary of US-based Fitch Solutions consultancy firm, projected that Indonesia's per capita healthcare spending would increase to $269 by 2027, with, the priority health index projected to see a similar upward trend. 

Amidst the rise in health per capita spending and health priorities – and considering the limitations of the Indonesia's medical device industry to meet domestic demand – Investors could greatly benefit from the entering market. From the data above, it is known that instruments and appliances used in medical, hygienic glassware, wadding, gauze, bandages, and the like, as well as medical, surgical, dental or veterinary furniture, remain dependent on imports. Thus, the production and distribution of these products might be an appropriate choice for investors to invest in. 

To discuss this issue and more, the German-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (91���� Indonesia/EKONID), will host a market exploration for German companies in the field of production technology and components for medical technology.   

To be held from February 19 to 22, 2024, the event is organized in cooperation with eclareon GmbH, an implementer of the German government’s energy export initiative, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), with the aim of introducing relevant decision-makers and potential business partners from both Germany and Indonesia in both a conference and B2B meeting sessions.  

For more information or to sign up for the business delegation, click  

One of the key programs in this vision is the establishment of “Sea Tolls”, which aims to improve maritime transport routes, particular in the eastern part of the country, by building new ports and modernizing and expanding existing ports. 

Since its inception, the expansion of the Sea Toll has shown continuous positive development. As of 2022, Indonesia has established 33 Sea Toll routes, and this number is expected to increase to 39 by the conclusion of 2023. Apart from PT Pelni, two state-owned enterprises, namely PT ASDP and PT Djakarta Lloyd, play integral roles in program management. Specifically, PT Pelni oversees 11 routes, PT ASDP manages 5 routes, PT Djakarta Lloyd is responsible for 4 routes, and 19 other routes are operated by private entities.12 For detailed information on route developments, the list can be accessed on the Indonesian government's website. (   

Source: Rizalty, 2022; PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia 2021; Data compiled by 91���� Indonesia 

According to the Ministry of Trade, the implementation of the sea toll in 2022 successfully narrowed the price gap for essential goods, resulting in an average decrease of 12.18%, notably benefiting regions such as Papua, Maluku, and East Nusa Tenggara. To further bolster the reduction of price disparities, the government is currently in the process of revising regulations that dictate the eligibility of goods for sea toll transport. Furthermore, the number of ports in Indonesia will continue to grow as the Ministry of Transportation, as mandated by the 2017 National Port Master Plan, has set 1,321 new port development location plans until 2023. 

Digitalization in the Maritime Sector 

Another accelerating factor to Indonesia’s maritime growth is the rapid digitalization of the sector. PT Pelabuhan Persero or Pelindo, which is the state-owned operator of Indonesia’s ports, have released and implemented a number of applications and systems to improve port service productivity. These include the Phinnisi, a Vessel Management System used to expedite vessel service activities; PTOS-M, which aids terminal operators in handling various cargo types; and Palapa Terminal Operating System (TOS), which handles operational activities at multipurpose and ro-ro container terminals. 

Also of note is Inaportnet, which functions as an integrated online operating system, and was launched as part of the Indonesia National Single Window system. The launch of Inaportnet succeeded in expediting the process of ships entering and leaving ports, as well as in hastening loading and unloading activities. From 2016 to the present, 109 ports in Indonesia have integrated Inaportnet, and there is a goal to have an additional 151 ports adopt it by 2023. This aims to reach the target of having 260 ports implementing Inaportnet by the end of this year. 

A significant achievement from these developments is Indonesia securing the 9th position globally for the best port performance in 2022, claiming the top spot in Southeast Asia, according to data released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Furthermore, in the same dataset, Indonesia surpassed the global average for container ship arrivals, with a rate of 24.9% compared to the worldwide average of 20.1%. 

Towards a Greener Maritime Sector 

A potential segment within the Indonesian maritime sector relates to energy transition and the combat against climate change.  

As per a mandate issued by the International Maritime Organization – of which Indonesia is a member – on January 1, 2020, ships should begin using fuel with a maximum concentration of 0.50% mass percent concentration in order to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The country has issued regulations to comply with the mandate, though it has not provided a clear roadmap for the shipping industry. Nevertheless, a number of companies have taken action, such as PT Pertamina International Shipping – a subsidiary of the state-owned oil company PT Pertamina – implementing the use of low-sulphur marine oil on its 750 vessels by 2021. 

Additionally, Indonesia has also initiated a program aimed at enhancing the environmental sustainability of its ports to mitigate carbon emissions and safeguard the marine ecosystem. The green port initiatives are designed to promote the widespread adoption of clean energy and bolster environmental conservation efforts.  

Considering the factors above, Indonesia's shipbuilding sector continues to offer potential for investors. To capitalize on this opportunity, it is essential to efficiently harness Indonesia's requirement for shipbuilding components, which are currently imported, and provide products that align with the needs of the domestic industry. 

In this regard, the German-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (91���� Indonesia/EKONID), will host a German delegation that focuses on the shipbuilding and offshore industry. 

To be held from February 26 to March 1, 2024, the event is organized on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, targeting primarily small and medium-sized German companies (SMEs). 

Particular opportunities for German companies have been identified in the following areas: high technology (e.g. special shipbuilding), exploration applications, climate-efficient propulsion, digitalization applications for shipping companies and ports, exhaust gas purification systems in accordance with IMO regulations. 

For more information or to sign up for the business delegation, click here (/veranstaltungen/details/geschaeftsanbahnung-indonesien-schiffbau-und-offshore-industrie).

During his 30-minute presentation, Mr. Wahyudi stated that all parties, including companies, would have a 2-year transitional period to adjust to the PDP Law as of the time of the law’s issuance, during which they should reassess their company policies to comply with the PDP Law.  

During this transition period, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, especially the PDP team, would actively conduct activities such as socialization, monitoring, and assessment regarding what different stakeholders need to do, as well as identify gaps and other preparations.  

Furthermore, different basic principles of the PDP Law were also introduced. In general, the PDP Law is similar to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) issued by the European Union in 2016.  

“The government has adapted the basic principle of personal data protection to the needs and circumstances in Indonesia. Moreover, the core focus of the PDP Law is not to apply the sanctions, but to encourage all parties to comply with it,” explained Mr. Wahyudi.  

In her presentation, Mrs. Helena Sitorus explained the strategy of implementing the PDP Law by differentiating between Controllers and Processor of Personal Data. Mrs. Sitorus said companies should determine carefully whether they want to be the Personal Data Controller or Processor because the controller and processor have different obligations and responsibilities. It was also suggested that companies have a data agreement to specify the data processing activities that fall outside the scope of the data controller's instructions. 

Other topics discussed at the roundtable include how to transfer cross-border data, the types of sanctions that may be incurred by companies who fail to comply with the PDP Law, as well as the various strategies companies could employ in designing a Personal Data Protection Program.  

We hope that, through this online roundtable, EKONID has helped industry players in complying with the Indonesian Personal Data Protection Law in the scope of their organization and business. We extend our gratitude to Mr. Arif Wahyudi, Mrs. Helena Sitorus, S.H., LL.M and all the participants who helped make the event a success. 

To be conducted in Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta in the island of Java, as well as in the city of Palu and Morowali Regency in Central Sulawesi province, the visit is expected to provide renewed perspectives for the delegates in regard to the aforementioned sectors.  

“Our visit here to Indonesia is already starting in a very interesting way. We got good information today concerning electromobility, and on the mining sector especially... we will promote the interest concerning Indonesia to our companies and we would try to find a critical mass of companies that can visit Indonesia as a follow up to our visit this week,” said Dr. Tobias Traupel, Head of Division European, Legal, and Foreign Trade at the NRW ministry of economic affairs. 

Along with Mr. Traupel, the delegation consists of officials from The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, and Energy of NRW, as well as officials from the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of NRW. Also participating are representatives from Baden-Württemberg International GmbH, the Battery Research Factory Münster, and the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, to name a few. 

As of the time of reporting, EKONID has finished conducting a country briefing for the participating delegates in Hotel Pullman Jakarta, as well as a roundtable discussion session with local representatives from the Indonesian government and various associations active in the field of energy transition. EKONID also hosted the delegation’s visit to the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency, or BP2MI, where they gained even more insights on Indonesia’s labor situation. 

The topics of labor and energy would be followed up on the second day with trips to Politeknik Manufaktur Astra, or ASTRAtech, a polytechnic school located in Cikarang in Bekasi, West Java, as well as a visit to the office of PT Indonesia Pomalaa Industry Park. 

For the following days of the week, the delegation will be visiting several locations in Central Sulawesi to gain even more firsthand knowledge on the economic situation in the area. These include scheduled stopovers at the residence of the Regent of Morowali, the Indonesia Morowali Industry Park, and the Morowali Metal Industry Polytechnic school. 

Mr. Septian Hario Seto, Deputy Coordinating Minister of Investment and Mining at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, who was among the speakers for the event at EKONID’s office on Monday, said he appreciated the visit as well as the opportunity to share his perspective on Indonesia’s energy transition efforts, particularly in regard to Indonesia’s ban of raw nickel exports. 

“This is important because we don’t want any misunderstanding regarding our ‘downstreaming’ policy. As I’ve explained, the export ban is only for raw nickel ores. Beyond that, you can export freely.... This is also a way to prevent one country or a single party from dominating the nickel supply chain,” Mr. Seto said. 

Building fishing ports in Indonesia, improving waste disposal in Ghana or promoting sustainable tourism in Cape Verde - donor countries finance a wide range of ocean-related projects in developing and emerging countries. The goal: to use the economic potential of the sea for local people and protect the oceans. 

What is the blue economy? 

The blue economy or ocean economy includes all economic activities of ocean-based industries as well as all natural assets and ecosystem services that the sea provides. This includes very diverse industries such as shipping, fishing, fish processing, offshore wind power, marine biotechnology and tourism. This also includes areas related to ocean protection, such as waste and wastewater management. 

The sea plays an important role, particularly in the economies of developing and emerging countries. It creates sources of income locally and secures the livelihoods of many people. Coastal tourism and fishing are among the most economically relevant sectors for many countries. 

Donors are investing in a sustainable blue economy 

With the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 14, "Life Below Water", the international community has committed itself to protecting the oceans. Donor institutions and countries have also recognized the potential of the oceans for the economic development of many countries and want to promote the sustainable use of marine resources. 

The latest figures from the OECD show a significant decline in official development assistance (ODA) for the maritime economy: in 2021, international donors spent 2.6 billion US dollars (US$) - in the previous year it was 3.5 billion US$. But recent developments at the international level suggest that the issue is becoming more of a focus for international donors. 

A series of international conferences focused on ocean conservation took place in 2022 and 2023. The international community has adopted agreements to protect maritime ecosystems, preserve marine biodiversity and limit harmful fishing subsidies . At the Our Ocean conference in Panama in March 2023, states and private actors also pledged US$ 22 billion for the oceans. 

Donors are increasingly taking into account not only the economic potential of the sea for the local population, but also sustainability aspects. Its investments and activities are focused on three sectors: 

1. Maritime transport 

2. Marine protection 

3. fishing 

Bilateral donors are important financiers of the blue economy 

Bilateral donor countries account for the lion's share of ODA for the maritime economy. In 2021, they contributed US$2 billion - more than 75 percent of global marine development cooperation. Japan, Germany and France are traditionally important bilateral donors to the blue economy. 

The French Development Agency ( AFD ) supports, among other things, the fishing sector in Indonesia with almost 99 million euros. The Indonesian government wants to use the money to modernize four fishing ports in order to increase efficiency and sustainability. 

For Germany, the KfW Development Bank plays a central role in promoting the blue economy in developing countries. For example, KfW supports Tunisia with coastal protection . The financed measures aim to prevent salinization of soil and water resources as well as coastal erosion through appropriate infrastructure. 

The Norwegian Development Agency ( Norad ) also has an extensive marine portfolio with a focus on fisheries and aquaculture . 

Multilateral development banks are also investing in the marine economy and marine conservation. This is the case with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ( EBRD ) with a 70 million euro project to decarbonize the maritime sector in Turkey. 

Business opportunities for German companies in the maritime industry 

The sustainable blue economy offers business potential for German companies. When planning and implementing marine-related projects, donor organizations often put the required construction, delivery and consulting services out to international tender. This could be the construction of port facilities or the delivery of goods such as fishing equipment. Consulting services, for example on sustainable fishing or economic development in coastal regions, are also in demand. 

The fight against plastic is central to healthy oceans and offers contract opportunities 

Combating marine pollution is of great importance for the health of the oceans. The cause of the pollution is the often lack of environmentally friendly wastewater and waste disposal in many countries. Plastics make up the majority of waste that ends up in the ocean. 

Donors therefore also finance many projects in the area of waste management and circular economy on land, with the aim of reducing marine pollution, particularly from plastic waste. Order opportunities may arise, especially for German companies that are leaders in . 

Original Article here:  

"We are pleased to announce the inauguration of our expanded new office at Altira Business Park," said David Haliyanto, Managing Director at Wilo Indonesia. "This inauguration reflects our dedication to providing the best products and services to our customers in Indonesia. We remain committed to leveraging our expertise and advanced technology to address the continuously evolving needs in this industry and contribute to sustainable development." 

Wilo SE, a European public company (Societas Europaea), has a long history since the establishment of the Louis Opländer copper and brass factory in Dortmund in 1872. Over 150 years, Wilo has cemented its position as a leading supplier of pumps, systems, and premium pump system solutions.  

Since its establishment in 2008, Wilo Indonesia has grown to become a significant player in the pump industry. In addition to the headquarters in Jakarta, Wilo Indonesia also has several strategically placed representative offices located in Palembang, Surabaya, Balikpapan, and Makassar. 

Alongside the new office inauguration, Wilo also announced its plans to expand its operation in Indonesia with a new assembly plant that would be built in Cikarang, Bekasi, just west of Jakarta.  

Targeted to be completed next year, the 2 million euro (roughly Rp 33.5 billion) plant is expected to further bolster Wilo’s position in the Indonesian water pump and pump system solutions provider market. 

Wilo Group Director Sales Area Southeast Asia Mrs. Eva Kerstholt, who also attended the inauguration, said: “I’m looking forward to our investment in the new assembly plant here in Indonesia because it shows the commitment of the group to Southeast Asia. Indonesia, in particular, is the biggest market for us. It’s our biggest company in the whole of Southeast Asia with 50% of our regional sales volume.” 

Deputy Mayor of North Jakarta Mr. Juaini Yusuf, in representing the local government, appreciated Wilo’s commitment to providing water pump solutions to Jakarta, saying that the city “acknowledges Wilo’s excellent product and attention to the public and the environment, specifically in flood handling and mitigation.” 

“We hope that with the new office, we can have more collaboration and contribute to the development needs of Jakarta,” he added. 

The German-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization which serves as Germany's official representation in Indonesia. Our primary goal is to promote and support bilateral trade between Germany and Indonesia. Customer focus, intercultural respect, creativity, reliability, networking and teamwork are the values that make up our company's DNA, reflecting the unique blend of qualities found in each of our team members. To complete our team, we are looking for highly motivated full-time candidates to gain hands-on experience in assisting the business expansion of German and Indonesian companies (physical presence with home office option for a maximum of two days).

Job description

You will work closely with the Head and Business Development Team, especially in the Market Access Division (research and consulting), to support ongoing projects of small and medium-sized German companies from a wide range of industries looking to enter the Indonesian market. Supporting clients with their business development in Indonesia is a key element of the Consulting Team.

Responsibilities:

• Supporting German small and medium-sized enterprises to enter the Indonesian market, e.g. through market analysis/studies/short articles/presentation and business partner search;
• Work closely with Department Heads and Management of our German clients to support their market entry strategies in Indonesia;
• Conduct industry-specific market research
• Making phone calls related to business partner connections
• Support Business Development Team in execution technical seminar/business roundtable, follow-up, acquisition of experts, VIPs, participants and on-site support for German and Indonesian participants
• Promoting European trade fairs to Indonesian companies through marketing activities;
• Coordinate with external vendors
• Support other administrative responsibilities relevant to project management and event management

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s (or equivalent) or higher degree in business, economics, or related field
• Proficiency in German is a plus point
• Interest in German-Indonesian economic relations
• Ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Understanding of prioritization and efficient allocation of time and resources
• Excellent communication and customer-service skills
• High comfort level interacting with clients
• Ability to work effectively in a team-based and international environment
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Detail oriented
• Ability to grasp complicated subjects quickly
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications

Preferred Qualifications:

• International experience (study abroad, student exchange or Indonesian international school)
• Experience in one of the government institutions, chambers of commerce or business associations
• Experience in specific industries such as communication, environment, waste management, renewable energy, health and public services
• Organizational experience

Location: Jakarta (physical presence with home office option for a maximum of two days)
Start date: January 2024
How to apply: send your application to hrd@ekonid.id
(Applications will be considered only with a resume AND cover letter (German or English).

Mr. Grenz will be replacing Mr. Choi Duk Jun, the President Director of PT Mercedes-Benz Distribution Indonesia, who has moved away from Indonesia to further his career. 

We look forward to working closely with Mr. Grenz on our upcoming projects.  

See our of Supervisory Board here

But the phenomenon also highlights the need for the country to move fast in transitioning to cleaner energy, while at the same time, maintaining its economic trajectory. 

Fortunately, the signs show that Indonesia is aware of this need and remains committed to reducing its carbon emissions. These signs include the issuance of Government Regulation No. 33 of 2023, its continued negotiations with relevant stakeholders on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) funds, and in other ongoing, and, no-less significant, efforts – whether it’s government-to-government, business-to-business, or in the public-private sector. 

Regulation No. 33/2023 

Issued in June of this year, the regulation is an important breakthrough in policy terms for the implementation of energy-efficient technologies in the country. Not only is it the first regulation of its kind for the nation, but the regulation also falls in line with many of the recommendations issued by the international community in the global fight against climate change.  

Aside from adopting modern energy policies such as appointing energy managers and conducting regular energy audits, the regulation also lowered the energy consumption threshold of companies that are required to implement these policies from equal to or more than 6,000 tons of oil equivalent per year (roughly 69,780 MegaWatt per hour/MWh) to 4,000 tons of oil equivalent per year for the industry and transport sectors. The property sector, another major contributor to carbon emissions, also saw its consumption threshold defined as companies that consume equal to or more than 500 tons of equivalent per year. 

Furthermore, the regulation acknowledges the need for government facilitations, incentives and disincentives in order to spur the adoption of energy efficiency technologies in industries. While the detailed stipulations will be reliant on the upcoming ministerial regulations, the regulation at least mandates the provision of access to information, consultation, as well as financing. 

It may be noted here that roughly 80% of energy consumption in Indonesia is consumed by 20% of the 191 sub-sectors as defined by the 4-digit Indonesian industry classification system, also known as KBLI. In this regard, the regulation may thus be considered an accurate approach to the country’s energy transition efforts as it mainly targets the largest contributors to the country’s carbon emission levels. 

JETP  

On the JETP front, the progress is a bit more muted, with the government delaying its launch of its investment plan for the US$20 billion JETP funds promised by the member nations of the G7 late last year at the G20 Summit chaired by Indonesia in the island of Bali.  

Planned to be launched initially six months after the G20 summit in December of 2022, the issuance of the investment plan was delayed to August before it was delayed again to approximately the end of this year.  

At a recent event however, Deputy of Infrastructure and Transportation at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime affairs and Investment Rachmat Kaimuddin, said that the plan would be completed by October of 2023, earlier than the previously announced delay.  

However, with the interest rates attached to the funds being roughly similar to commercial loans and a grant portion comprising of only around 1% of the total funds (roughly $217 million), the money would be likely directed to the construction of various new and renewable energy plants and exportable renewable energy. 

Even so, he said Indonesia remains committed to seizing the JETP funds, adding that it was necessary in the country’s efforts to achieve its goal of cutting carbon-emission levels by 31.89% on its own or 43.2% with international support by 2030, further attaining net-zero emissions by 2060. 

Carbon trading, bilateral cooperations, and electric cars 

The efforts above are just a couple of examples of what the country has done, and is doing, to contribute to the combat against climate change. Another recent example is the September launch of the country’s first carbon emission credit trading platform (IDXCarbon), which aims to develop a market that could further incentivize Greenhouse Gas-emission reductions.  

Some 13 carbon credits nearing 460 kilotons CO2 equivalent from state-owned PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy’s project in North Sulawesi were traded at the opening, priced at Rp 69,600 (or roughly $4.50) per ton. Buyers reportedly included Bank Central Asia and Bank Mandiri, two of some of the largest banks in Indonesia, as well as companies from the mining sector. 

Other examples include the signing of an MoU between Jakarta-based Medco group – an energy producer – and Helsinki-based Valmet Technologies – a technology company – for a biomass-to-energy project in the Merauke region of Papua, as presided by the Indonesian Ambassador to Finland; the extension of the MENTARI low carbon energy partnership between Indonesia and the UK; as well as the country’s continued efforts to promote the realization of a domestic electric vehicle production ecosystem, which saw another development in the progress of South-Korea's Hyundai car battery factory in Karawang, West Java – as monitored by Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo this month.  

With this latest progress, the company is on track to start producing 30 million battery cells that would be used in the production of about 180 million electric vehicles – the largest in Southeast Asia – by early next year and should further make electric cars more affordable for the archipelago. 

With over 275 million inhabitants – the fourth largest in the world – and an economic growth of around 5% per year, Indonesia electricity demand is expected to continue to rise significantly year after year. At the same time, it must maintain its economic trajectory and ensure the welfare of its citizens. With the country still relying on coal-powered power plants to drive its economic growth, energy efficient technology can prove to be an indispensable factor to contribute to the country’s carbon emission goals.  

To further discuss the issue, the German-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (91���� Indonesia/EKONID), will host a German delegation that focuses on the field of energy efficiency.  

To be held from November 20 to 23, 2023, the event is organized in cooperation with eclareon GmbH, an implementer of the German government’s energy export initiative, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), with the aim of introducing relevant decision-makers and potential business partners from both Germany and Indonesia in both a conference and B2B meeting sessions. 

With the showed commitment from Indonesia’s public and private sector towards achieving net-zero emission by 2060, the German business delegation trip to Indonesia is a great opportunity for German businesses in the field of energy efficiency to learn more about the Indonesian market and to set up a footprint in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.  

For more information or to sign up for the business delegation, click

“[This event] is special because, at least from what I remember, in my 25 years in Indonesia, it is the first time that all three German speaking countries, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, have come together to joint organize an event like this in Indonesia,” said EKONID Executive Director Jan Roennfeld in his opening speech. 

“The aim of this event is of course to promote business between Indonesia and companies from these three countries. And as we are all operating nowadays in times of increasing economic risks dan geopolitical uncertainties, that makes the benefits of the ECAs and their products to secure your companies’ payment flows against losses from economic or political factors more important,” he added. 

Indonesia is a promising growth market for German, Austrian, and Swiss export companies and is on its way to becoming an industrial nation. Nevertheless, the potential of the largest economy in ASEAN is still underestimated by many exporters. Yet Indonesia presents itself as a strategic market for industrial transformation technologies and relies on a sustainable modernization of the country and its industries. 

In following their governments’ economic policies, export credit agencies ensure secure payment flows by insuring exporters against bad debt losses caused by economic or political factors and, in many cases, making the necessary sales financing for a transaction possible in the first place. The ECA products offered cover the entire value chain of an export transaction - from production and delivery to payment of the final installment. 

The conference also allows Indonesian companies, banks, and government institutions the opportunity to get to know the export promotion instruments at first hand. With these financing options, export credit agencies are building towards best practices in Indonesia. 

Several representatives from the government of each participating countries attended the conference, namely Dr. Thomas Graf, Deputy Ambassador and Chief of the Economic Department at the German Embassy in Jakarta; Dr. Thomas Loidl, The Austrian Ambassador to Indonesia; and Olivier Zehnder, the Swiss Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN. Economic institutions from Swiss and Austria that are actively operating in Jakarta were represented by Commercial Counsellor Advantage Austria in Jakarta Sigmund Nemeti, as well as the Chairman of the Swiss Business Hub Indonesia Roger Zbinden. 

Mr. Zehnder said: “Indonesia is a long-term partner to Switzerland, and Indonesia will remain as such in the future in all relevant field, notably the economic field. Indonesia offers great potential for infrastructure companies. Obviously, IKN [the New Capital City Nusantara] is one example, but there are hundreds of other projects in the field not related to IKN. But Indonesia also has a vision 2045, where it sees itself graduating from middle-income country status. Though Indonesian market offers formidable challenges, our experiences have shown that these can be overcome with long-term view, traceability, and stamina.” 

Dr. Loidl said: “It is very meaningful that these three ECAs have decided to hold this conference in jakarta, Indonesia. Indonesia is an economic powerhouse, and it is also becoming a global political actor... Indonesia’s economy in the 20 years have given rise to ever larger and more prosperous middle class. Despite the difficult circumstances in the global economy, the outlook for Indonesia in my assessment is positive and promising.”  

Indonesia imported goods worth US$108.7 billion in the first half of 2023, according to statistics agency Badan Pusat Statistics (BPS). This corresponds to a decline of 6.4 percent compared to the same period last year, but is the second highest half-year value to date. Products from Germany, on the other hand, are currently experiencing a strong surge in demand. According to BPS, imports increased by 40 percent in nominal terms compared to the same period last year. 

Machines, vehicles and steel pipes made in Germany in particular recorded an increase. Germany thus increased its import share from 1.6 to 2.2 percent and just missed a place among the top ten of Indonesia's most important goods suppliers. Many German machines are also manufactured in China, delivered from there to the ASEAN countries and are therefore part of Chinese foreign trade statistics. The increase in the German import share is all the more remarkable because all other important suppliers, with the exception of the USA, suffered losses. 

Overall, machine imports to Indonesia increased by almost 5 percent in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous period. In addition, vehicle imports grew, which is likely due to catch-up effects after the previous crisis years. Indonesia's economic development is now at a normal level: in the first half of the year, the gross domestic product grew by 5.1 percent in real terms compared to the same period last year. 

Significantly more goods from the EU 

The regional analysis of Indonesian imports reveals an unusual development. Because in the first half of 2023, imports from China, East Asia and ASEAN fell significantly. Imports of goods from the EU, however, grew by more than a quarter. And this despite the fact that there is still no free trade agreement between Indonesia and the EU. Just over a third (35%) of all Indonesian imports from the EU came from Germany. Until now, there had been an opposite trend towards an ever-increasing share of imports from neighboring regions in Indonesia and a dwindling role for Europe. 

Lower prices for petrochemical products provide relief 

The reason for the slight decline in total imports is the decline in value of petrochemical products as well as the related plastics and industrial gases. World market prices have fallen here. However, oil is still expensive – to Indonesia's disadvantage because the archipelago is a net oil importer. 

Energy costs remain high overall, keeping prices for imported industrial goods such as steel high. The same applies to food, as fertilizer and transportation are energy intensive. 

Food is now Indonesia's second most important import good. Here, imports stagnated in the first half of 2023, after strong inflation-driven growth in the same period of the previous year. In the long term, demand is likely to increase because local agriculture is weak. At the same time, the demand for imported goods is growing due to a population growth of almost three million people per year and increasing prosperity. 

For the article from GTAI, go  

Prior to having the series of visits on this trip, the senator and her delegation was given a VIP briefing on Indonesia at the Pullman Hotel Thamrin. EKONID Executive Director Jan Rönnfeld welcomed the delegation and presented a brief introduction to Indonesian business culture with information about the Indonesian market overview, cultural aspects of business, and general business regulation. 

His was followed by a welcoming speech from the Chargé d'Affaires of the German Embassy, Thomas Graf, and keynote speeches from the President of IHK Berlin, Sebastian Stietzel, the CEO of Berlin Partner for Business and Technology GmbH, Stefan Franzke, and Ms. Giffey. 

Ms. Giffey expressed that this trip was essential for both Jakarta and Berlin’s digitization, energy transition, and economic transformation. 

“We want to use this trip to take the solutions and experiences of our partner city in these transformation processes with us to Berlin. Both cities are hotspots for startups within their countries and internationally. The focus of the trip is therefore to further improve cooperation and exchange in this area.” Ms. Giffey said. 

The subsequent event following the VIP briefing was a private tour of Jakarta’s modern and historical landmarks – starting with a short MRT tour from Bundaran HI to Dukuh Atas Station in Central Jakarta and the Berlin-Jakarta friendship mural at Kendal Street, to Jakarta Impact Hub slightly further south of the city and Monumen Nasional (Monas) at the heart of the capital. In the evening, the delegation participated in the EKONID Summer Party at Ayana Midplaza Jakarta to network with fellow German and Indonesian business players. 

On the second day of the visit, the delegation went to the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology to learn more about HUB.ID Accelerator, the Ministry’ startup ecosystem builder that aims to help Indonesian startups grow their businesses. As Berlin served as Germany’s digital innovation center, the visit was targeted towards discovering potential collaboration between the Ministry’s project and the companies that were represented by the delegation. 

Afterwards, the delegation visited PT Astra Digital International, a digital service company founded by the Astra Group – Indonesia’s largest conglomerate. The objective of the visit was to learn more about Astra Digital's strategy for improving Indonesia's digital ecosystem, urban service solutions, and, most importantly, how German companies can offer potential partnerships to achieve those goals. 

EKONID welcomed the delegation in the afternoon of this second day to its office to meet with three important players in Indonesian energy, robotics, and smart city support facility startups: New Energy Nexus, Widya Robotics, and PT Zetta Media Inspira. During the event, participants had an active and enlightening discussion about Indonesia’s energy transition, AI, automation, and robotics-based startups for industries, as well as Indonesian smart cities and villages. Following the discussion, the delegation attended the Berlin Networking Reception to meet and gather with fellow Berliners and several special invited guests from related companies, associations, and Indonesian Ministry representatives. 

Alwy Herfian Satriatama, Co-Founder and CEO of Widya Robotics, who was invited by EKONID to meet with the delegation, admitted that there is a lot of potential for collaboration between Germany and Indonesia that can support the latter's development. 

“The meeting held by EKONID has been good. I see many opportunities for collaboration with the Berlin government and German companies because they have very high technological developments and they also need markets outside Europe, one of which is Indonesia. They also intend to expand not only to big cities but also to small cities in Indonesia. So, it can support Indonesia's future development,” Mr. Satriatama said. 

The Berlin delegation visit culminated in the signing of a Joint Declaration on Innovation and Technology at the Jakarta Future City Hub on the final day. Inked by Ms. Giffey and Ms. Sri Haryati, Undersecretary for Economic Affairs and Finance at DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, the signed agreement aims to further strengthen the two cities' collaboration in business innovation and technology, supporting initiatives like the Jakarta Future City Hub, which was developed as part of a framework of cooperation between Jakarta and Berlin and serves as a platform for sustainable ecosystem growth. 

“Indonesia is an aspiring democracy that, with its innovative strength and highly qualified specialists, generates an economic strength that is also of great interest to Berlin. With our joint declaration, we are underscoring our desire for further, intensive cooperation, particularly in the area of digitization for more economic growth and better living conditions in Berlin and Jakarta,” Ms. Giffey said. 

EKONID conveys its deepest appreciation to the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Public Enterprises, IHK Berlin, Berlin Partner for Business and Technology (GmbH), and all participating partners who were involved in making this three-day event successful.