Around 30 industry, business and education representatives leave for Indonesia today to build international connections and seize opportunities for international trade, as part of the South Australian State Government’s business mission program.
The delegation, led by Investment and Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith, includes representatives from the agriculture food and wine, education, research and development, infrastructure and professional services, defence and advanced manufacturing, business and arts sectors.
The program will commence in Bandung, West Java which shares a 20 year sister-state relationship with South Australia. The delegation will then travel to Jakarta for further business, investment and government meetings.
Delegates will be hoping to capitalise on Indonesia’s increasing demand for world-class goods and services, with South Australia’s close proximity providing enormous potential for local businesses.
Background
This trade mission is a key feature of the South Australia-South East Asia Engagement Strategy, which identifies opportunities for the State in areas including education, infrastructure, agriculture, food and wine, defence and advanced manufacturing, arts and professional services.
Indonesia is the largest of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) economies which is expected to grow five to six per cent in the next two years and become the world’s seventh largest economy by 2030.
Two-way trade between Sound Australia and Indonesia was valued at $483 million in 2015-16. Through closer engagement we can grow this figure.
Quotes attributable to Investment and Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith
The State Government is committed to building on our relationship with Indonesia, as their growing demand for high quality goods and services presents significant opportunities for our local businesses.
South Australia is ideally placed to position itself as a partner and support the expansion of the Indonesian economy, due to our location and long-standing cultural and commercial relationships.
Our program of international trade missions is invaluable for businesses as it helps them gain access to new markets and opens doors only accessible with State Government support.