Top U.S. firms express support for Indonesia’s G20 Presidency and 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship at first in-person business mission to Jakarta in three years
(Jakarta, Indonesia) – The US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) led a delegation of 35 U.S. companies on its first in-person Indonesia Business Mission in three years. Taking place from 23-26 August, 80 senior-level executives representing the U.S. private sector from multiple industries were received by President Joko Widodo (“Jokowi”) on August 24. U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Sung Kim, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Investment Minister Bahlil Lahdalia, and State Secretariat Minister Pratikno also joined the meeting, symbolizing the strength of U.S.-Indonesia relations and Indonesia’s commitment to American investors.
Timed to coincide with the 77th Anniversary of Indonesia’s independence, the delegation took the opportunity to congratulate the country’s regional leadership, including its G20 Presidency and participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). They offered resources to support the success of Indonesia’s G20 Summit and 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship.
“It’s great to be back in Jakarta and reconnect in-person with our friends in Indonesia,” said Ambassador Ted Osius, President & CEO of US-ABC. “At a delicate time, Indonesia is taking an increasingly prominent leadership role in resolving the global food, energy, and supply chain crises. This is a testament to how far Indonesia has come since its independence in 1945 in terms of economic development and global standing.”
Ambassador Osius co-led the mission with US-ABC’s Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director, Ambassador Michael W. Michalak, as well as the Council’s Indonesia Committee Chair and CEO of Citi Indonesia, Batara Sianturi who highlighted that there is a lot to be optimistic about Indonesia. Mr. Sianturi stated that “Indonesia’s digital trade is seen to reach $146 billion by 2030, and it aims to reach net zero emissions by 2060.” He added that “the Council hopes to bridge further bilateral dialogue to deepen our trade relations. We are eager to offer new ideas for how U.S. business can help strengthen Indonesia’s business eco-system to help bring about transformative, resilient and sustainable economic development.”
During the meeting with President Jokowi, US-ABC delegation discussed U.S. businesses’ commitment to continue investing in the world’s largest archipelagic country and ASEAN’s largest economy. The delegation commended the President for his leadership in steering Indonesia's investment climate and urged the government to continue investing in its people, especially in health, education, and physical and digital infrastructure. The President also expressed Indonesia's commitment to create a better investment climate.
Delegates also had the chance to engage with senior cabinet ministers, including Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan, Minister of Energy Arifin Tasrif, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, just to name a few. In conjunction with the Mission, the inaugural joint working group meeting under the Council’s MOU with the Ministry of Tourism Creative Economy and the program was closed with a dinner reception hosted by Minister Sandiaga.
Participating companies include 3M, Abbott, Agoda, Amazon Web Services, Apple, Bell Textron, BowerGroupAsia, bp, Diageo, Dow, Expedia, ExxonMobil, FedEx, Freeport-McMoRan, Harley-Davidson, HP Inc., IBM, Jhpiego, Marriott International, Mastercard, Mondelez, Netflix, Pfizer, PT. HM Sampoerna, Tbk., Raytheon Technologies, S&P Global, Salesforce, SAP, Stripe, UL, UPS, US Dairy Export Council, Visa, Zuelling Pharma.