Downer to open IABC conference in Bali
The Australian Federal Government confirmed last week that the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer is to officially open the 24th Indonesia-Australia Business Council (IABC) Conference & Exhibition in Bali. The Indonesian Government representative will most likely be Coordinating Minister for Production and Distribution Hartarto.
The conference and exhibition will be held at the Bali International Convention Center from June 15 to June 18, 1997. More than 400 decisionmakers from Indonesia and Australia are expected to attend. Over 30 speakers have confirmed and more than 20 companies will participate in the trade exhibition.
Major government representation includes Indonesia's Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave; Australia's Victoria's State Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Mark Birrell; Queensland's State Minister for Economic Development and Trade and Minister Assisting the Premier; the Ambassadors to both countries; and representatives from the Indonesian state-owned oil company and Ministry of Health.
The conference chairman, Moetaryanto, said: "There will be something at this conference for everyone. Major areas in the business relationship will be represented by leaders in the field, which will provide tremendous opportunities for participants. They will get first-hand information for their own businesses and will make invaluable contacts."
Major Australian, Indonesian and joint-venture companies will be represented, including Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia, the Australia Stock Exchange, The Jakarta Stock Exchange, Telstra, PT Energi Sengkang, P&O Australia, Ciputra Group, Bakrie Group, Davids Distribusi Indonesia and Jaya Readymix Boral Indonesia.
A member of the organizing committee said that participants would gain an important insight on the recent election and the current business and political climate. A mix of plenary and workshop sessions will ensure plenty of time for discussion, debate and information exchange.
An interesting and useful range of topics will be covered, including:
* professional business management in Indonesia,
* industry presentations and workshops on mining, technology, property, agribusiness telecommunications, consumer products, health care, building products, energy, environment and education,
* a spotlight on expertise from Australian states,
* the Indonesian and Australian capital markets,
* the Indonesian economy -- the year 2000,
* balancing diplomacy with business.
A one-day optional trip to Surabaya, Indonesia's second- largest city, will take place on Wednesday, June 18. Delegates will visit the Maspion factory, which is Indonesia's largest manufacturer of appliances, kitchenware and aluminum products. The tour will continue on to the Coca-Cola Amatil plant, Bank Central Asia for an exhibition on East Java products, the Boral Plasterboard factory and will pass the industrial estate and port facilities in the area.
An accompanying persons program has been prepared by the organizers and several social events, including a golf tournament on Sunday June 15, will ensure there are plenty of networking opportunities.
Corporate sponsors showing their commitment to the bilateral relationship are in three categories.
Gold sponsors, at US$25,000, are Telstra Corporation, Coca- Cola Amatil Indonesia and Merpati Nusantara Airlines.
Silver sponsors, at $10,000, are Austrade, the Australian Stock Exchange, Central Equity, PT Energi Sengkang, the Jakarta Stock Exchange, Rio Tinto, Swabara Group and Surya Semesta Internusa.
Bronze sponsors, at $5,000, are Quality Assurance Services Pty Ltd, TASA International, Prasmanindo Boga Utama and the Westpac Banking Corporation.