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Export Week: Jakarta visit brings rewards for Gloucestershire companies
A round table meeting will be held today in Gloucester with companies from Gloucestershire and in the South West to follow-up action plans following a three day trade mission to Indonesia, one of the world’s fastest growing economies.
11 April 2014
A round table meeting will be held today in Gloucester with companies from Gloucestershire and in the South West to follow-up action plans following a three day trade mission to Indonesia, one of the world’s fastest growing economies.
The delegation of eight companies, led by the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Richard Graham MP, held a number of high level meetings with Indonesian officials to discuss developing partnerships with state owned and private companies, organised by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).
The South West team included firms representing the energy, oil and gas; food and drinks; education, medical, automotive and aerospace sectors.
Mr Graham was the first international visitor to meet the new Indonesian Trade Minister, Muhammad Lutfi. The two men discussed what UK companies offer Indonesia, and the Trade Minister’s commitment to keep Indonesia connected to the global economy. During the three day visit, the delegates also had the opportunity to meet the chairman of Indonesia Investment Coordination Board (BKPM), which champions foreign investors in Indonesia, and senior officials in Indonesia's state Oil and Gas Company, Pertamina.
Martin Golding, of brand manager Tudor Rose International, from Stroud, said: “This was our first visit to Indonesia and so the assistance and advice given by the local UKTI personnel as well as the organisation around the mission was invaluable. The quality of the meetings arranged via the OMIS (Overseas Market Introduction Service) was of a high standard, including the help given with navigating the challenging traffic around Jakarta.”
Ron Baker from Severn Glocon, a Quedgeley-based specialist manufacturer of control valves for the oil and gas and sub-sea industry said “Normally the day to day business is handled by our local regional team, but during this mission I was able to meet a much higher management level than usual, giving our company a much broader exposure with the targeted customers. Also a mission like this fronted by the Prime Minister’s envoy reassures the customers of the seriousness of our intentions in the market.”
With a population of over 230 million, Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world and has a growing affluent and aspirational middle-class of around 45 million. Considered one of UKTI’s high growth markets, many opportunities exist for UK businesses across a range of sectors in Indonesia, including rail, air, ports, oil and gas, power generation, renewable energies, financial services and life sciences.
UKTI trade missions are designed to assist companies that are either new to a potential export market or businesses with an existing foothold that they wish to develop further. As part of the mission, delegates have access to tailored market research, attend receptions at British embassies and have the opportunity to meet with prospective customers and partners.
International Trade Adviser Patrick Bos, who organised the mission, said:
“This was the first time UKTI South West organised a market visit to Indonesia. Our goal was to organise a mission that represents several industries from the South West. Richard Graham’s involvement made it easier for us to find companies with export potential in the Indonesian market.
“Based on the feedback of all companies and the information given by the UKTI team in Jakarta there are many business opportunities for UK based companies and we are now considering a follow up visit to Indonesia in the coming year.”
Other participating companies include: Renishaw (Wotton under Edge), Printsolutions (Wimborne), Spirax Sarco (Cheltenham), Fluid Transfer International (Nailsworth); Green Fuels (Cheltenham); the University of Gloucestershire, Baldwin and Francis (Sheffield), NATS (Cranford).
