Swedish firms committed to Indonesia's economy
Swedish firms committed to Indonesia's economy
Swedish Ambassador to Indonesia Mikael Lindstrom was interviewed earlier this week on his opinion on economic and industrial issues in Indonesia from the Swedish perspective, now that they are of such critical importance to Indonesia.
Lindstrom mentioned, clearly with some pride, that firms from his homeland were resolutely sticking to their investments here despite the recent upheaval and dire economic situation.
"At our regular business gatherings, I see that firms like Volvo, Ericsson, Electrolux, ball-bearing manufacturer SKF, welding-equipment supplier ESAB, mining-equipment maker Atlas Copco and many others are here to stay. I am amazed and heartened that there has been no mass stampede out."
Lindstrom believed the companies realized the country's huge economic potential and its strategic place within a shrinking world.
Swedish products are a perfect match for what Indonesia needs, he added.
"We do not produce much in the way of commodities but we're high-tech. We focus on distribution of electricity, heavy trucks and telecommunications. With Indonesia growing very quickly, companies like Erickson, Skaern or pulp machinery company Kvaerner saw the potential.
"Indonesia needed these things, and we had the potential to supply."
He described the relationship as additionally beneficial because it provides Indonesia with more options than relying solely on the traditional industrial giants.
"Indonesia does not just have to depend on the U.S., Japan or Germany. There are no political strings attached to our relationship, either."
Political ties between the countries are long-standing.
"We have a much older relationship than people understand," Lindstrom said at his office in Kuningan.
"There was an Embassy here in 1951, right at the beginning of the country's independence."
It is a long-term relationship which "cuts both ways", he said.
This country was always interesting to us because of Indonesia's important regional role, such as the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung, the founding of ASEAN, the Cambodia conflict and South China Sea issues."
Lindstrom hoped Indonesia would learn from the downturn to emerge better and stronger in the future.
"Many countries, including Sweden, have experienced crises. But it makes us reappraise and forces us to restructure. This kind of hardship is nothing we ever wish on people, but there can be constructive, forward effects."
Political and economic turmoil can lead to the pointing of xenophobic fingers at the outside but he cautioned against an isolationist stance.
"I hope Indonesia will stick to what it has been doing. Obviously, there might be parts of the public who don't understand and there can be that jingoistic element. But the intellectual establishment understands very well that economic reforms should maintain Indonesia's participation in the global economic system, within the framework of the World Trade Organization, and that this is to the great benefit of the country."
Lindstrom also championed the "people-to-people" interaction of cultural exchanges and tourism as vital in bringing two far- flung, culturally disparate nations closer together.
"The human dimension is very important. For instance, we have an academic exchange program with Lund in Sweden and Gadjah Mada University (Yogyakarta). We often send orchestras and ballet troupes here, and Indonesia regularly sends dance groups to Sweden.
More Indonesians are also choosing Sweden as a stop off-the- beaten track of Europe's most popular holiday destinations.
"These are people who choose to go a little beyond Rome, London or Amsterdam. Stockholm is a very beautiful city, and Sweden is safe, not expensive and the natural areas are good."
As international travel shrinks the world, and once-exotic destinations now lie within reach of the average traveler, Lindstrom said more of his compatriots are visiting Indonesia on vacation.
"Bali is very appreciated for organized tourism, and the people do discover more than just the tourist trappings."
Lindstrom did not downplay the contribution of the oft- maligned "backpacker" set -- 20-something tourists who have saved up to see the world before they embark on their careers.
"These people are important to the future; they will be the doctors, lawyers and leaders. Whenever I meet governors or police chiefs in the provinces, I always emphasize that later on these tourists will remember the time they spent in, say, Padang, or Sumbawa.
"This is the whole point of people building relationships."
Set to end his ambassadorial stint this August, after four years here, Lindstrom has his own fond memories.
He also sees a lot more that Sweden can do as Indonesia starts to get back on its feet.
"There are a whole range of areas where we have capability and insight. For instance, in Stockholm, there is an international institute on electoral processes. Clearly, that is something that people here want to know more about now."
Indonesians can learn from the example of their Swedish counterparts in areas as diverse as traffic safety and forestry, gleaning what fits with their needs.
"I think as Indonesia develops, it will be interested in drawing on the experience of others on how they do things. In Sweden we always try to identify valuable experiences elsewhere and this has been a great benefit.
"In the same way, Indonesia will generally do well through carefully scrutinizing the options, choosing, dissecting and adapting to its own circumstances."