Tag: international business

The first Indonesia-Australia digital training platform has been officially launched to connect Indonesian businesses with Australian training providers. Accessed via iaskills.org, the Indonesia-Australia Skills Exchange (IASE) platform has attracted the interest of more than 120 Indonesian business entities and more than 50 Australian training providers. This digital platform offers 335 courses in various subjects. Leading Australian institutions that have joined this platform are Melbourne Polytechnic, Swinburne University of Technology, TAFE New South Wales, TAFE South Australia, and others.

The launch of this innovative business-to-business platform is a collaboration between the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) Economic Cooperation Program Katalis with the Indonesian E-Commerce Association (idEA).

Katalis Director Paul Bartlett explained that the courses offered by this program are very diverse. Starting from technical courses to soft skill development. Iaskills.org provides a variety of training opportunities for businesses in Indonesia. This platform bridges the local skills gap and plays an important role in improving workforce skills in various sectors.

“This digital platform responds to the need for quality workforce training in the Indonesian industry and expands the international market for Australian training providers. The high interest from both countries reflects shared optimism about this strategic opportunity to strengthen bilateral partnerships and support the implementation of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (IA-CEPA),” Paul was quoted as saying on Thursday (27/2/2025).

Executive Director of the Indonesia Services Dialogue Council Devi Ariyani said that for the first time, businesses in Indonesia can access Australian training that is specifically designed to suit their needs.

“This will help the Indonesian service industry to develop local talent and access the skills needed to thrive in the modern business environment. We look forward to more collaborations in the future between businesses in Indonesia and Australian training providers,” he explained.

idEA Chairman Hilmi Adrianto added that the IASE platform has a variety of capabilities and features designed to meet training needs, such as online, offline or hybrid delivery options, as well as language preferences and course types.

“idEA welcomes this initiative, which pioneers new opportunities for Indonesian businesses to accelerate their capabilities and stand out in the highly dynamic global digital economy. Targeted training to build a highly skilled workforce is an important foundation for Indonesia’s digital economy industry to advance and become more competitive and globally connected,” he said.

February 28, 2025, CNBC Indonesia(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/tech/20250227193158-37-614301/platform-b2b-indonesia-australia-skills-exchange-resmi-diluncurkan)

Apple will build a Research and Development (R&D) Facility in Indonesia. This plan was conveyed by the Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita after an agreement was reached between the Ministry of Industry and Apple regarding investment.

The United States (US) technology giant agreed to continue its investment commitment in Indonesia and chose an innovation scheme to meet the requirements for the domestic component level (TKDN). The innovation scheme will later take the form of an R&D facility.

“The next point that we always pursue, and Alhamdulillah with very tough negotiations, can be in the MoU agreement between Indonesia and Apple, namely the establishment of a Research and Development (R&D) Facility in Indonesia,” said Agus in a press conference at the Ministry of Industry Office, quoted Thursday (27/2/2025).

So far, said Agus, Apple has only built R&D facilities in the US and Brazil. Thus, Apple’s R&D in Indonesia will be the second in the world outside the US, as well as the first in Asia. Agus said the facility will be built in the BSD Tangerang Special Economic Zone (KEK), Banten,

“So far, Apple has only built R&D facilities in America, only one country outside America, namely Brazil. We will be the second country outside America and the first country in Asia to have Apple R&D,” he said.

The establishment and implementation of R&D will involve 15 universities in Indonesia, some of which are the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), University of Indonesia (UI), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), and others. Agus assessed that Apple sees Indonesia as an important country for their business so that they are willing to build R&D facilities. In addition, the quality of Indonesian human resources (HR) is ready to support the establishment of R&D facilities.

The Apple R&D Center Indonesia will later focus on HR development which includes software development in the fields of health, internet of things (IoT), and artificial intelligence. In the signed MoU, the iPhone 16 manufacturer stated that it agreed to build the Apple Software Innovation and Technology Institute to the Apple Professional Developer Academy. Apple will also establish the Professional Developer Academy and the sustainability of the Apple Academy.

Later in the Apple Professional Academy facility, experts, both Apple Academy graduates and non-graduates will be gathered to carry out technology development activities, and to improve skills for experts who want to add new skills. All of these plans are included in Apple’s new investment plan of US$ 160 million or IDR 2.6 trillion (exchange rate of IDR 16,360). The achievement of the negotiation agreement means that Apple’s TKDN certificate will be issued soon, which is one of the requirements for the iPhone 16 to be sold in Indonesia.

February 27, 2025, detikFinance(https://finance.detik.com/industri/d-7798753/pertama-di-asia-apple-bakal-bangun-fasilitas-riset-di-indonesia)

The Japanese government provides support to support the implementation of the free nutritious food (MBG) program and improve the quality of education, nutrition, and welfare of children in Biak City, Papua Province. This support is provided in collaboration with UNICEF Indonesia and the National Nutrition Agency.

In a statement obtained by CNBC Indonesia, Tuesday (25/2/2025), Japan provided funding support of $3.4 million (around IDR 55.437 billion) for 2 years. Then, UNICEF will assist provincial and district authorities in Papua to provide a cost-effective MBG program for PAUD and elementary school students using local food and integrated basic nutrition services.

In detail, this program will reach 2,500 preschool and elementary school children with improved nutrition and education services during this partnership. In addition, 150 teachers and principals will receive training in pedagogical skills and nutrition monitoring, including 2,500 parents who will gain knowledge about nutrition and care that supports child growth and development.

A total of 270 government officials, cooking teams, teachers, and principals will also benefit from the school meal capacity building initiative. The program will also conduct capacity building for 50 policy makers in planning and budgeting issues, to achieve tangible results that can support the sustainability of the MBG program.

In addition to MBG, the partnership will also provide professional development training to teachers to improve the quality and inclusiveness of teaching and learning in the classroom, especially in literacy, numeracy, and nutrition awareness. In addition, counseling will be carried out to involve parents in the care and development of their children.

“Japan wants to contribute to school meals in Indonesia by starting from the 100-year experience of the school meal program in Japan. Previously, Japan was also involved in a project to develop fishing ports, freezing facilities, and marketing on six remote islands; with the assistance of a JICA grant, the project launched in 2021 has succeeded in increasing the catch at the Biak Fishing Port,” said the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, Masaki Yasushi.

“School meals in Japan actively promote local products for local consumption, and we would like to promote collaboration between the two programs, so that the kitchen center for school meals can utilize fish from the Biak Fisheries Port, which is rich in nutrients including protein.”

Similarly, UNICEF Indonesia Representative, Maniza Zaman stated that nutritious food programs and supportive learning environments are key ingredients for healthy growth and the future success of every child.

“Every child has the right to develop fully, including access to quality social services,” she said.

“UNICEF is proud to partner with the Government of Japan to support Indonesia’s efforts to improve education and nutrition services for children in Papua.”

February 25, 2025, CNBC Indonesia(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20250225132848-4-613453/jepang-bantu-program-mbg-prabowo-hibahkan-dana-segini)

Indonesia will participate in the World Expo 2025 Osaka. The event, attended by various countries around the world, will last for 6 months from April 13, 2025, to October 13, 2025. Indonesia is ready to present the charm of nature, culture, creativity and leading innovation. Carrying the theme “Thriving in Harmony: Nature, Culture, Future”, Indonesia confirms its commitment to sustainable development.

“This is the only expo in the world with a complete package, all here, tourism, trade, investment. Because people come to enjoy shopping and then investing. This is the driving force of the economy,” said the Director General of National Export Development, Fajarini Puntodewi, at the Kick Off Meeting of Indonesia’s Participation in the World Expo 2025 Osaka, Jakarta, Thursday (13/2/2025).

In its participation, Indonesia has prepared the Indonesian Pavilion with an area of ​​1,750 m², which combines tradition and modernity, inviting visitors to explore the diversity of the nation’s potential. Here, innovations and visions towards Indonesia Emas 2045 will be presented, becoming a source of inspiration in various fields and opening up opportunities for new business partnerships.

There are 8 programs of the Indonesian Pavilion: 1. Theme Weeks, Indonesian participants will fill various forms of activities according to 8 sub-themes that will be displayed at the Expo and Indonesian Pavilions; 2. National Day, held on April 25, 2025, at the Expo Hall/Event Hall 1. Carnival parade from the Expo Hall to the Indonesian Pavilion; 3. Best Practice, Team Expo Program, collaborating with various countries in displaying the best innovation works in achieving SDG’s; 4. Woman Pavilion, promoting gender equality initiatives, progress and empowerment of women globally; 5. Business Forum, a business forum attended by potential international partners in discussing issues and innovations regarding the achievement of SDGs; 6. 1on1 Meeting, an activity that provides opportunities for the government and private sector to explore cooperation agreements; 7. Cultural Performance, a cultural promotion event by presenting cultural arts performances on the stage area of ​​the Indonesian Pavilion; 8. Rolling Exhibition, displaying innovative products in achieving SDGs in the rolling exhibition area and Indonesia craft Indonesian Pavilion.

In addition, the Ministry of Trade will take advantage of the opportunity at the World Expo 2025 Osaka to increase export value. Indonesia’s participation in the World Expo 2020 Dubai was US$ 34.88 billion, consisting of investment with 19 business cooperation agreements and investment of US$ 32.7 billion and trade of US$ 2.18 billion.

“The trade target must be higher than the previous achievement. This is an opportunity that we must take advantage of,” said the Director General of National Export Development, Fajarini Puntodewi.

On the other hand, Japan is Indonesia’s main trading partner and currently occupies the fourth position as an export destination country. Punto believes that participation in the World Expo 2025 Osaka will further strengthen trade relations between the two countries. The trend of trade between Indonesia and Japan continues to show a positive increase of 10.27% annually in the last five years.

February 14, 2025, CNBC Indonesia

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20250213142430-4-610406/world-expo-2025-osaka-ajang-ri-gaet-turis-investor-asing)

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20250213122943-4-610345/world-expo-2025-osaka-peluang-besar-genjot-ekspor-indonesia)

Minister of Trade Budi Santoso revealed the trade agreement between Indonesia and Japan, the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA), since it was ratified through Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 36 of 2008 and has been in effect since July 1, 2008, IJEPA has provided many benefits for Indonesia.

He said the benefits obtained in the form of a trade surplus that has been maintained for more than 17 years, increased investment in the automotive sector and other industries, and increased human resource capacity in the nursing profession sector.

Even so, the Minister of Trade conveyed the urgency of change with the current conditions, including modernization by referring to the ASEAN-Japan CEPA and RCEP agreements, IJEPA needs to be updated to remain relevant.

“Apart from these benefits, there is an urgency to renew the IJEPA agreement with the aim of modernization and maintaining relevance to current challenges,” said the Minister of Trade in a working meeting with the Indonesian House of Representatives, Thursday (13/2/2025).

The Minister of Trade conveyed that the agreed IJEPA changes included adjustments to IJEPA taxes in several chapters, namely general provisions, trade in goods, movement of individuals, intellectual property, trade through electronic systems, government procurement of goods and services, and final provisions.

In addition, the Minister of Trade conveyed that Japan added a commitment of 112 tariff posts that Indonesia could utilize. Where products that received additional preference from Japan include processed tuna and other marine products, bananas and pineapples, food and beverage products, and cocoa powder.

Meanwhile, Indonesia provided an additional commitment for 25 tariff posts, including iron and steel products, rice flour, automotive products, and special rice. He also mentioned that there were 5 benefits from the IJEPA change protocol as follows:

1. Increasing Market Access for Goods and Competitiveness of Indonesian Products: Indonesian exports to Japan increased by US$ 363.4 million in the 5th year of implementation, especially the 112 new tariff posts committed by Japan, namely tuna, skipjack and processed marine products, bananas, pineapples, cocoa powder, organic chemicals, vegetable oils and other food and beverage products. Then Indonesia’s trade surplus with Japan is projected to grow 20.37% annually, with an increase in exports of more than US$ 300 million in the next 5 years.

2. Increasing Market Access: Indonesia’s e-commerce service trade exports increased to US$ 190.6 million in the 5th year of implementation and reached US$ 1.27 billion in the 10th year of implementation.

3. Absorption of Labor: The workforce absorbed includes air transportation, communications, transportation, warehousing, and supporting activities.

4. Increasing Investment: Japanese investment in Indonesia increased to US$ 10.7 billion in the 10th year of implementation. Increasing the competitiveness of domestic industry through technology transfer and capacity development programs.

5. Increasing Cooperation in the Field of Government Procurement of Goods and Services: This cooperation begins in the field of information exchange and development of market access, government procurement of goods and services.

February 13, 2025, detikFinance

(https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-7777383/ada-perubahan-perjanjian-dagang-ri-jepang-mendag-beberkan-manfaatnya)