ATTENDING THE INDONESIA-AUSTRALIA BANKING FORUM AND PARTICIPATING IN THE Q&A

I recently attended in Sydney (Australia) the Indonesia-Australia Banking Forum “Driving Australian Investment in Indonesia”, organised by the Australia Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA), and sponsored by Indonesia Investment Promotion Centre (IIPC) Sydney, CIMB Niaga (a prominent Indonesian bank) and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).  

Source: Australia Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA)

The event encompassed a vibrant panel discussion and interactive networking session, which included expert speakers explore the dynamic banking landscape of Indonesia and the ASEAN region, along with the current trade and investment outlook for Indonesia.

Forum attendees asking questions to panel members during the Q&A segment, including me (in the bottom right photo) Source: “indonesiainsyd” - the Instagram Account of Consulate-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Sydney

Source: “indonesiainsyd” - the Instagram Account of Consulate-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Sydney

Panel members included various senior Indonesian government officials and finance stakeholders comprising of the following people:

MODERATOR

  • John Macaraniag,  Vice President - Global Market Sales, Société Générale Corporate and Investment Banking

SPEAKERS

Welcome Address

  • Vedi Kurnia Buana, Indonesian Consul General in Sydney, Australia, Consulate-General of the Republic of Indonesia, NSW Australia

Opening Keynote Speaker

  • Dr. Robert Leonard Marbun, Senior Advisor to The Minister of Investment on Institutional Relationships, Ministry of Investment/Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board

Other Panel Members

  • Lani Darmawan, President Director and Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Niaga

  • Francisco Widjojo, Chief Executive Officer, Arkblu Capital

  • Haryo Yudho Sedewo, Director, Indonesia Investment Promotion Centre (IIPC) Sydney

Me catching up with one of the panel speakers, Dr. Robert Leonard Marbun, Senior Advisor to The Minister of Investment on Institutional Relationships, Ministry of Investment/Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board. Photographer: Jack Allen, Senior Adviser, CPR Communications & Public Relations

Key topics discussed by the panel members included the following areas:

  • Indonesia-Australia diplomatic and economic trade relations

  • Australian FDI (foreign direct investment) inflows into Indonesia and the wider ASEAN market

  • Financial inclusion for the Indonesian bottom-of-the-pyramid (BoP) and emerging middle class demographics through the Indonesian banking sector

  • Islamic financing, particularly sukuk lending and sukuk impact bonds (i.e. green bonds and social impact bonds) financial instruments

  • Sustainability investments, including ESG (environmental, social and governance) compliancy

I had an opportunity to engage with the panel speakers by asking them during the Q&A a question pertaining to untapping the potential of the Australian superannuation ecosystem in investing in Indonesia, particularly in the burgeoning Indonesian Islamic financing market Sukuk financial instruments, such as interest-free and green bonds and social impact bonds, to catalyse further financial inclusion whilst addressing an array of ESG matrices to improve the holistic social and environmental wellbeing of the Indonesian economy and society.

It was a great evening full of enriching insights from the panel members and questions by an engaging audience, which gave one a more proficient comprehension and appreciation of the Indonesia-Australia relations and dynamics, within the context of banking and its effects on the aforementioned key topics discussed.

Kunal Kirpalani