Trade and industry, the backbone of Sweden-Indonesia relations<\/p>\n
Swedish Ambassador to Indonesia H.E. Harald Sandberg shared
\nhis view on the bilateral relations between the two countries
\nduring his term here.<\/p>\n
Question: You have been the Swedish ambassador to Indonesia
\nfor three years. What are your thoughts and what is your message
\ntoday?<\/p>\n
Sandberg: When I look back at my three years in Indonesia, I
\nsee times of difficulties and hardship for the Indonesian people.
\nObviously, anyone who has fallen in love with this country is
\nconcerned today. These three years have also seen profound
\npolitical changes, however, with a new openness, free elections
\nand governance with a democratic mandate. These changes have led
\nto a positive increasing interest for Indonesia in my country. I
\nlook forward to see further positive changes and developments.
\nIndonesia's enormous potential in all fields is better understood
\nthan ever. I also see an increasing interest for Sweden in
\nIndonesia, and travel between Sweden and Indonesia is increasing.<\/p>\n
Sweden and Indonesia have a long tradition of good diplomatic
\nrelations. What do the relations between our two countries mean
\nto you as ambassador?<\/p>\n
For me, relations between countries primarily mean people-to
\npeople relations. The backbone of our relations has always been
\nin trade and industrial contacts.<\/p>\n
Everyone recognizes an Ericsson cellular phone, but how many
\nknow that the telephone system they are talking through builds on
\nEricsson equipment? Tetra Pak fruit juice containers are used all
\nover Indonesia. Indonesian women will associate quality cosmetics
\nwith Oriflame, sold all over Indonesia, and millions of
\nIndonesian motorcycles run on SKF ball bearings. The yellow
\nSwedish Match matchboxes are recognized by millions of
\nIndonesians, as are Lux and Electrolux home appliances. Hundreds
\nof thousands of Swedes have Indonesian products from the
\nfurniture chain IKEA in their homes or wear Hennes & Mauritz
\nIndonesian made clothes. Millions of Indonesian meals are served
\non Perstorp's Indonesian made first-class dinnerware, and who
\nwouldn't like to have his valuables in a Chubb safe? Anyone in
\nmining will think of reliability and high tech when hearing Atlas
\nCopco mentioned, and did you know that milk and cream are
\nseparated with Alfa-Laval equipment? Swedish consumers are
\nenjoying excellent Indonesian pineapple and Indonesian drivers
\nfeel safe in Volvo and Scania cars, trucks and buses. Indonesians
\nare listening to Swedish music artists like Roxette, Meja,
\nCardigans, Eagle-Eye Cherry and A-Teens.<\/p>\n
I could talk also on cultural exchange, or on the thousands
\nof people traveling between our two countries each year, but
\nthese examples from the business world are also examples of
\npeople-to-people relations!<\/p>\n
How do you see relations developing?<\/p>\n
Let me give an example. With globalization and the IT
\nrevolution, the distance between our countries is shrinking
\ndramatically. With instant information we have become neighbors.
\nSwedish industrial buyers like Ericsson, the global technology
\ngroup ABB, pharmaceutical giants Astrazeneca and Pharmacia, steel
\ncompanies like Assab and welding specialists Avestapolarit and
\nESAB have encouraged the development of a wide range of IT
\nsolutions and fostered the creation of a number of Swedish IT
\ncompanies. In Indonesia we see the activities of IFS, a business
\napplications supplier, and Scala, the Internet business group.
\nAnd if you want to know what Jakarta-based Atlantis Software is
\ndoing, take a look at www.ciptasoft.com.<\/p>\n
There is great scope for further and broader relations between
\nour countries. We need to use our new "neighbor relationship",
\nlearn to know more about each other and see how we can build
\n"win-win" relationships.<\/p>\n
A year ago you were asked whether Swedish companies are coming
\nto Indonesia to invest in the aftermath of the crisis. You saw a
\npositive trend back then. What are your impressions now?<\/p>\n
We are seeing a further normalization in trade and commercial
\ncontacts, which will be beneficial for both parties. For me, this
\nis what globalization is all about, a mutual exchange of goods
\nand services, and with these contacts, come an increased
\ninteraction of people. In addition, it is not only the companies
\nthat will benefit from the increasing contacts, but also the
\nconsumers.<\/p>\n
At the moment there are about 50 Swedish companies with their
\nown representation here in Indonesia, and many, many others who
\nare represented through agents. Swedish related companies employ
\nover 10,000 people here in Indonesia. I think there is a clear
\npotential for an increase in the number of Swedish companies
\noperating here.<\/p>\n
However, there are still challenges that have to be overcome.
\nContinued financial sector reform is central, and an equitable
\nsolution to the issues of private sector debt is crucial for the
\ncredibility and recovery of the Indonesian economy. Other
\nchallenges lie within the social and environmental areas, i.e. in
\nsustainable forestry and preservation of Indonesia's heritage in
\nits tropical forests. Yet another challenge lies within the
\ndecentralization process.<\/p>\n
Last but not least, the legal system must gain credibility.
\nBusiness is risk, and the last thing businesspeople want are
\ngovernments adding risk, which cannot be measured. The government
\nhas made it a priority to eradicate corruption, collusion and
\nnepotism. Rules and regulations, be they in taxation, in customs
\nor in other areas, should be transparent and the implementation
\nmust be predictable and equally applied to all parties.<\/p>\n
If these challenges can be overcome, I am sure there are great
\npotential for an even further expansion of business between our
\ncountries. And increased business will serve as a catalyst for
\nfurther and broader relations in politics, in culture and in
\nother areas.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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