Event Reports

Maintaining last year’s successful dialogue event, EuroCham together with BKPM conducted the 2018 Indonesia Economic and Investment Outlook. Organized on Wednesday, 8 February 2018, at Nusantara Room, BKPM, the event was opened by EuroCham Chairman Mr. Ulf Backlund. It was followed by remarks from H.E. Vincent Guerend, Head of the EU Delegation in Jakarta. Keynote speech was given by Mrs. Farah Ratnadewi Indriani, Deputy Chairman of Investment Climate Development of BKPM.

In line with the panel discussion titled “Vital Aspects in Improving Investment Climate in Indonesia – Deregulation Packages and Human Capital Development”, Mr. Ulf Backlund addressed how the EU-Indonesia free trade negotiation (CEPA) could support the human capital development. The Ambassador also addressed the EU-Indonesia CEPA in his remarks and the positive progress of its negotiation. Complimenting Mr. Ambassador's remarks, Mrs. Farah Ratnadewi further revealed that the EU is fourth largest source of Foreign Investment in Indonesia.

The event resumed with panel session that brought top policymakers and experts in their respective sectors. Moderated by Mr. Timothy Marbun (KOMPAS TV Executive Producer), the session began with presentation by Mr. Leonard VH Tampubolon (Deputy Bappenas Minister for Economic Affairs), followed by Mr. Edy Putra Irawady (Special Staff to the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs). Other distinguished panelists were including Mr. Massimilano Cali (Senior Economist World Bank), and Ms. Ratna Dewi Antarina SF Amir (Board of Directors of Indonesia Services Dialogue).

As main highlight of the event, Mr. Thomas Lembong later joined the discussion in the dialogue session with the moderator. Mr. Lembong spoke about his optimism in 2018 and addressed some current issues, such as E-Commerce boom, bilateral investment treaty including the on-going IEU-CEPA, and also his focus on human capital development through improvement of institutions standards. He further addressed the quality of European investment which also comes with high technology, as well as commitment on workers training.

Following the success in organizing the 2016 Eurocham Energy Dinner, the Energy Working Group once again held this periodical event on 7 February 2018 at Hermitage Hotel, Jakarta. With more than 120 participants, the Energy Dinner is an avenue to gather all relevant stakeholders and interested participants to foster a stronger relationship and maintaining the forum to exchange ideas.

The 2018 Energy Dinner was attended by CEOs and top executive of energy companies, relevant government officials and institutions, as well as representatives from the EU Delegation and EU member states diplomats.

The event was opened by Wichard Von Harrach, Eurocham Board Patron for Energy Working Group who is also Deputy Working Group for Power Generation and Renewable Energy. Mr. von Harrach speech was followed by remarks from Mr. Thomas Wagner, Head of Energy Working Group who gave a glimpse of working group activities last year as well as shares the insight on the activities this year.

As the highlight of the event, EuroCham Chairman Ulf Backlund handed over the Energy Position Paper 2018 to representatives of the National Energy Board (Dewan Energi Nasional), Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources, and BKPM.

EuroCham Energy Position Paper is a token of partnership and a symbol of support towards the improvement of business climate in Indonesia, which consists of key concerns and recommendations of European Companies in Indonesia, particularly within the Energy sector. It provides a glimpse of European business point of view and it is developed as EuroCham contribution to the development of energy sector in Indonesia.