PAST EVENT: Indonesia-Belgium Business Forum “Unlocking Trade and Investment Potential: Forging a Sustainable Future in Indonesia-Belgium Business Relations”
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Brussels, Belgium, accredited to Luxembourg and the European Union, and the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) had the pleasure of organising the “Indonesia ‒ Belgium Business Forum: Unlocking Trade and Investment Potential: Forging a Sustainable Future in Indonesia-Belgium Business Relations”, which was held on Tuesday, 24 September 2024 at the European Institute for Asian Studies, Rue de la Loi 26, 10th floor, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium.
INDONESIA – BELGIUM BUSINESS FORUM
Unlocking Trade and Investment Potential: Forging a Sustainable Future in
Indonesia-Belgium Business Relations
Date: Tuesday, 24 September 2024
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM followed by a Networking Lunch and B2B Meetings
Venue: EIAS, Rue de la Loi 26, B-1040 Brussels
This year, Indonesia and Belgium celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, coinciding with Belgium’s Presidency of the European Union in 2024, during which it prioritized a green energy transition and public health resilience. In 2023, Belgian investment in Indonesia totaled 98.9 million USD across 498 projects, mainly in the plantation, livestock, food, and textile sectors.
Bilateral trade between Indonesia and Belgium has shown promising growth, increasing by 62% from 1.75 billion USD in 2020 to 2.83 billion USD in 2022, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Indonesian commodities like footwear, rubber, palm oil, furniture, coffee, iron, and steel play a significant role in supporting the Belgian industry.
Therefore, in light of Indonesian and Belgian milestones, this Indonesia-Belgium Business Forum will be organised on 24 September 2024.
The aim was to explore and expand trade and investment between the two countries, with a focus on energy transition initiatives and downstream processing of critical minerals. The event highlights the potential for mutual benefit through collaboration in green technologies, renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and eco-friendly practices.
The forum brought together key stakeholders from both countries to provide a platform not only for exchanging information and ideas but also for strengthening partnerships, expanding networks, exploring new opportunities and realizing tangible outcomes that contribute to building a more sustainable and resilient future for generations to come. The session provided an excellent opportunity for Belgian and European businesses to engage in informal interactions, discussions, and business matching with representatives from Indonesia.
The forum featured the Province of Yogyakarta as a prime destination for trade, tourism, and investment in Indonesia. It provided an excellent opportunity for Belgian and European businesses to meet and establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Yogyakarta’s vibrant market. Participating Yogyakarta companies included:
- Arva: Tempeh snacks producer that transforms royal recipe into modern snacks
[View Product List] - Dewiti: instant and ready to brew herbally processed product that is packed into teabags. [View Product List]
- KarmaIndo: timeless furniture maker that contributes to a more sustainable and vibrant world. [View Product List]
- Compro T Vintage & Recycled Iron: manufacturer of furniture, stools, lampshades, statues, and decorations using recycled metals.
[View Product List] - Denayu: Authentic traditional herbal tea producers Yogjakarta.
[View Product List] - Sogan: batik and ready-to-wear clothing manufacturer since 2004, committed to advancing the batik and fashion industry to provide more income and job opportunities for the community to support economic development in Indonesia.
[View Product List] - Ride One Gallery: manufacturer of handmade glass and mirrors that is processed into unique works. [View Product List]
- Bananania: Natural & healthy snacks producer made from bananas
[View Product List] - Nusantara Jalu Perkasa: home decoration furniture maker, specialising in the creation of colours with an antique and original character
[View Product List] - Greenhost Boutique Hotel: Eco-friendly hotel in Prawirotaman, Yogyakarta that offers modern amenities with a touch of local culture, value, and hospitality
- Ayu Mandiri Tours & Travel: travel company with over 30 years of experience, the company provides authentic, tailor-made journeys that emphasize exceptional service and community conservation.
- Via Via Tour & Travel: The first international ViaVia branch in Indonesia since 1995, offering a restaurant, travel agency, guest house, and art spaces that promote sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and community empowerment through eco-friendly initiatives and local engagement
- Investment Project Ready to Offer (IPRO) – Resort Cottage Krakal Beach: an exclusive hotel project with various facilities in a prime location in Yogyakarta
- Investment Project Ready to Offer (IPRO) – Cargo Village : An integrated warehouse area project for the New Yogyakarta International Airport (NYIA)
- Gudeg Bu Tjitro 1925: Canned Gudeg, a traditional dish from Yogyakarta made from young, unripe jackfruit stewed for several hours with palm sugar and coconut milk. It is known for its warm and distinctive taste and can endure up to 12 months without any preservatives.
- Agradaya: An Indonesian sustainable spices and herbs initiative company that focus on developing biopharmaceutical plants with smallholder farmers in Indonesia.
- Java Parama Niaga: a cooperative-based marketing company that facilitates more than 300 SMEs to expand their market locally and internationally.
[View Product List]
For more product offerings, we invite you to explore Product List Formekers and Product List B
Also joining the list of participating Indonesian companies was Garuda Indonesia, the national airline of Indonesia, known for its premium services, extensive domestic and international routes, and a commitment to Indonesian hospitality and culture. Another prominent company that participated is Grand Batang City, Southeast Asia’s premier investment destination.
The session provided an excellent opportunity for Belgian and European businesses to engage in informal interactions, discussions, and business matching with representatives from Indonesia. Businesses from Yogyakarta thereby presented their products and investment opportunities, highlighting the region’s dynamic economic landscape and potential for growth.
Business-to-business meetings were available for focused discussions on key sectors and themes relevant to Indonesia-Belgium trade and investment. As there were representatives present from the Indonesia Ministry of Trade, Ministry for Investment Promotion, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Yogyakarta Investment Office, the Yogyakarta Industry and Trade Office, and the Yogyakarta Tourism Board, meetings with these representatives were also available upon request.
Programme
09:00 – 09:30 Registration and Welcome Refreshments
09:30 – 09:35 Introductory Remarks by H.E. Andri Hadi, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Belgium
09:35 – 09:45 Keynote Address on Indonesia Trade by Dr Jerry Sambuaga, Vice-Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia
09:45 – 09:55 Keynote Address by H.E. Francois Delhaye, Director of South and East Asia, Oceania, FPS Foreign Affairs of Belgium, on behalf of H.E. Jeroen Cooreman, Director-General for Bilateral Affairs, FPS Foreign Affairs of Belgium
10:00 – 11:10 Sectoral Opportunities for Trade and Investment
Panel Discussion: Unlocking Trade and Investment Potential – Forging a Sustainable Future in Indonesia-Belgium Business Relations
Panelists:
- Critical Minerals Investment to Support Green Transition
Imam Soejoedi, Special Advisor to the Minister of Investment for Macro Economics Affairs, Ministry of Investment/Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board - Belgium’s Green Transition Priorities, Sectors, Actors and Investment Opportunities
Joren Kippers, Economic Officer, FPS Foreign Affairs of Belgium - Petra Meekers, CEO SIPEF
Moderator: Lin Goethals, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies
11:15 – 12:25 Showcasing Yogyakarta: Indonesia’s Prime Destination for Trade, Tourism, and Investment
- Remarks by the Vice Governor of Yogyakarta Province: Introduction to Yogyakarta as a Prime Destination for Trade, Tourism, and Investment
Panel Discussion: Unlocking Potential: Building Strong Business Partnerships in Yogyakarta
Panelists:
- Yogyakarta Trade, Tourism and Investment Opportunities
Agus Priyono, Head of Yogyakarta Investment Office - Yogyakarta Business Export to Belgium
Rizky Sarah Vabiodani, KarmaIndo - YogyakartaTourism Profile
Ni Made Ayu Helena Cornellia, Deputy Head of Yogyakarta Tourism Promotion Board
Moderator: Danardi Haryanto, Indonesian Embassy in Brussels
12:30 – 14:00 Networking Lunch and Business-to-Business Meetings
- Opening of the Business Expo Showcasing Yogyakarta’s Small and Medium Sized Enterprises’ Products
- One-on-one B2B Meetings Between Indonesian and Belgian Businesses
Photo credits: Pixabay