The City of Cockburn has taken another step towards connecting local businesses with those in Indonesia, creating real opportunities for the development of bilateral trade relationships.
Close to 100 businesses, government representatives and service support organisations from Cockburn, Perth, Indonesia and Singapore attended the city’s inaugural Cockburn Indonesian Digital Exchange Forum on 7 December.
It was held at the AMC Jakovich Centre, Henderson in partnership with the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Perth.
The event featured a livestream digital exchange between Cockburn businesses, industry leaders and their Indonesian counterparts in five break-out rooms.
Guest speakers were able to present across specialist areas of mutual opportunity including the blue economy and defence, health and medical, education and vocational training, digital and cyber security, and agribusiness.
Local guest speakers represented the Electrical and Communications Association, South Metropolitan Tafe, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, the Australian Medical Association (WA) and more.
Guest speakers from Indonesia included Jemy Confido from the Indonesian Telecommunications & Digital Research Institute, Edi Nopian Mulia from Digiserve, and representatives from the Indonesia Australia Business Council.
The event builds on the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), which came into effect on 5 July 2020.
The IA-CEPA agreement provides a framework for Australia and Indonesia to unlock the vast potential of a bilateral economic partnership, fostering economic cooperation between businesses, communities and individuals.
City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said opportunity for trade and cultural connections between businesses in Cockburn and those in Indonesia was unlimited.
“Indonesia is a sizeable and sophisticated market and with the IA-CEPA agreement and synergies across specialist areas of mutual opportunity, the timing is perfect to pursue the Indonesian market,” Mayor Howlett said.
“The opportunity to do business in Indonesia is now easier than ever, all you need is a conduit to the right conversations and that’s where the Cockburn Indonesian Digital Exchange Forum comes in.
“The city and its economic development team is doing all it can to foster prosperity for our community by partnering with State Government, business and not-for-profits to provide economic opportunities that will result in a vibrant future for Cockburn, its businesses and residents.”
Following on from this event, the city will lead a trade delegation to Jakarta and Surabaya in March 2023.
The city is seeking expressions of interest from businesses interested in participating in the delegation at their own cost, to expand their markets in Indonesia.
