From November 27 to December 1, 2023, EKONID will be hosting a delegation of state and institutional representatives from North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, with the aim of introducing Indonesia’s economic potential to relevant stakeholders from the most populous state in Germany, particularly in the fields of energy and labor. To be conducted in Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta in the island of Java, as well as in the city of Palu and Morowali Regency in Central Sulawesi province, the visit is expected to provide renewed perspectives for the delegates in regard to the aforementioned sectors. “Our visit here to Indonesia is already starting in a very interesting way. We got good information today concerning electromobility, and on the mining sector especially... we will promote the interest concerning Indonesia to our companies and we would try to find a critical mass of companies that can visit Indonesia as a follow up to our visit this week,” said Dr. Tobias Traupel, Head of Division European, Legal, and Foreign Trade at the NRW ministry of economic affairs. Along with Mr. Traupel, the delegation consists of officials from The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, and Energy of NRW, as well as officials from the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of NRW. Also participating are representatives from Baden-Württemberg International GmbH, the Battery Research Factory Münster, and the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, to name a few. As of the time of reporting, EKONID has finished conducting a country briefing for the participating delegates in Hotel Pullman Jakarta, as well as a roundtable discussion session with local representatives from the Indonesian government and various associations active in the field of energy transition. EKONID also hosted the delegation’s visit to the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency, or BP2MI, where they gained even more insights on Indonesia’s labor situation. The topics of labor and energy would be followed up on the second day with trips to Politeknik Manufaktur Astra, or ASTRAtech, a polytechnic school located in Cikarang in Bekasi, West Java, as well as a visit to the office of PT Indonesia Pomalaa Industry Park. For the following days of the week, the delegation will be visiting several locations in Central Sulawesi to gain even more firsthand knowledge on the economic situation in the area. These include scheduled stopovers at the residence of the Regent of Morowali, the Indonesia Morowali Industry Park, and the Morowali Metal Industry Polytechnic school. Mr. Septian Hario Seto, Deputy Coordinating Minister of Investment and Mining at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, who was among the speakers for the event at EKONID’s office on Monday, said he appreciated the visit as well as the opportunity to share his perspective on Indonesia’s energy transition efforts, particularly in regard to Indonesia’s ban of raw nickel exports. “This is important because we don’t want any misunderstanding regarding our ‘downstreaming’ policy. As I’ve explained, the export ban is only for raw nickel ores. Beyond that, you can export freely.... This is also a way to prevent one country or a single party from dominating the nickel supply chain,” Mr. Seto said.
The protection of the oceans and their sustainable use in developing countries is becoming the focus of international donors. German companies can help solve the problems. Building fishing ports in Indonesia, improving waste disposal in Ghana or promoting sustainable tourism in Cape Verde - donor countries finance a wide range of ocean-related projects in developing and emerging countries. The goal: to use the economic potential of the sea for local people and protect the oceans. What is the blue economy? The blue economy or ocean economy includes all economic activities of ocean-based industries as well as all natural assets and ecosystem services that the sea provides. This includes very diverse industries such as shipping, fishing, fish processing, offshore wind power, marine biotechnology and tourism. This also includes areas related to ocean protection, such as waste and wastewater management. The sea plays an important role, particularly in the economies of developing and emerging countries. It creates sources of income locally and secures the livelihoods of many people. Coastal tourism and fishing are among the most economically relevant sectors for many countries. Donors are investing in a sustainable blue economy With the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 14, "Life Below Water", the international community has committed itself to protecting the oceans. Donor institutions and countries have also recognized the potential of the oceans for the economic development of many countries and want to promote the sustainable use of marine resources. The latest figures from the OECD show a significant decline in official development assistance (ODA) for the maritime economy: in 2021, international donors spent 2.6 billion US dollars (US$) - in the previous year it was 3.5 billion US$. But recent developments at the international level suggest that the issue is becoming more of a focus for international donors. A series of international conferences focused on ocean conservation took place in 2022 and 2023. The international community has adopted agreements to protect maritime ecosystems, preserve marine biodiversity and limit harmful fishing subsidies . At the Our Ocean conference in Panama in March 2023, states and private actors also pledged US$ 22 billion for the oceans. Donors are increasingly taking into account not only the economic potential of the sea for the local population, but also sustainability aspects. Its investments and activities are focused on three sectors: 1. Maritime transport 2. Marine protection 3. fishing Bilateral donors are important financiers of the blue economy Bilateral donor countries account for the lion's share of ODA for the maritime economy. In 2021, they contributed US$2 billion - more than 75 percent of global marine development cooperation. Japan, Germany and France are traditionally important bilateral donors to the blue economy. The French Development Agency ( AFD ) supports, among other things, the fishing sector in Indonesia with almost 99 million euros. The Indonesian government wants to use the money to modernize four fishing ports in order to increase efficiency and sustainability. For Germany, the KfW Development Bank plays a central role in promoting the blue economy in developing countries. For example, KfW supports Tunisia with coastal protection . The financed measures aim to prevent salinization of soil and water resources as well as coastal erosion through appropriate infrastructure. The Norwegian Development Agency ( Norad ) also has an extensive marine portfolio with a focus on fisheries and aquaculture . Multilateral development banks are also investing in the marine economy and marine conservation. This is the case with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ( EBRD ) with a 70 million euro project to decarbonize the maritime sector in Turkey. Business opportunities for German companies in the maritime industry The sustainable blue economy offers business potential for German companies. When planning and implementing marine-related projects, donor organizations often put the required construction, delivery and consulting services out to international tender. This could be the construction of port facilities or the delivery of goods such as fishing equipment. Consulting services, for example on sustainable fishing or economic development in coastal regions, are also in demand. The fight against plastic is central to healthy oceans and offers contract opportunities Combating marine pollution is of great importance for the health of the oceans. The cause of the pollution is the often lack of environmentally friendly wastewater and waste disposal in many countries. Plastics make up the majority of waste that ends up in the ocean. Donors therefore also finance many projects in the area of waste management and circular economy on land, with the aim of reducing marine pollution, particularly from plastic waste. Order opportunities may arise, especially for German companies that are leaders in environmental technologies such as recycling. Original Article here: GTAI
Organized by EKONID, the inauguration of the larger office at Altira Business Park, Blocks A01-A07 3rd Floor, Sunter Jaya, marks a significant milestone in the Wilo’s Indonesia commitment to drive innovation, enhance customer satisfaction, and foster sustainable growth in the industry. "We are pleased to announce the inauguration of our expanded new office at Altira Business Park," said David Haliyanto, Managing Director at Wilo Indonesia. "This inauguration reflects our dedication to providing the best products and services to our customers in Indonesia. We remain committed to leveraging our expertise and advanced technology to address the continuously evolving needs in this industry and contribute to sustainable development." Wilo SE, a European public company (Societas Europaea), has a long history since the establishment of the Louis Opländer copper and brass factory in Dortmund in 1872. Over 150 years, Wilo has cemented its position as a leading supplier of pumps, systems, and premium pump system solutions. Since its establishment in 2008, Wilo Indonesia has grown to become a significant player in the pump industry. In addition to the headquarters in Jakarta, Wilo Indonesia also has several strategically placed representative offices located in Palembang, Surabaya, Balikpapan, and Makassar. Alongside the new office inauguration, Wilo also announced its plans to expand its operation in Indonesia with a new assembly plant that would be built in Cikarang, Bekasi, just west of Jakarta. Targeted to be completed next year, the 2 million euro (roughly Rp 33.5 billion) plant is expected to further bolster Wilo’s position in the Indonesian water pump and pump system solutions provider market. Wilo Group Director Sales Area Southeast Asia Mrs. Eva Kerstholt, who also attended the inauguration, said: “I’m looking forward to our investment in the new assembly plant here in Indonesia because it shows the commitment of the group to Southeast Asia. Indonesia, in particular, is the biggest market for us. It’s our biggest company in the whole of Southeast Asia with 50% of our regional sales volume.” Deputy Mayor of North Jakarta Mr. Juaini Yusuf, in representing the local government, appreciated Wilo’s commitment to providing water pump solutions to Jakarta, saying that the city “acknowledges Wilo’s excellent product and attention to the public and the environment, specifically in flood handling and mitigation.” “We hope that with the new office, we can have more collaboration and contribute to the development needs of Jakarta,” he added.
About German-Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce The German-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization which serves as Germany's official representation in Indonesia. Our primary goal is to promote and support bilateral trade between Germany and Indonesia. Customer focus, intercultural respect, creativity, reliability, networking and teamwork are the values that make up our company's DNA, reflecting the unique blend of qualities found in each of our team members. To complete our team, we are looking for highly motivated full-time candidates to gain hands-on experience in assisting the business expansion of German and Indonesian companies (physical presence with home office option for a maximum of two days). Job description You will work closely with the Head and Business Development Team, especially in the Market Access Division (research and consulting), to support ongoing projects of small and medium-sized German companies from a wide range of industries looking to enter the Indonesian market. Supporting clients with their business development in Indonesia is a key element of the Consulting Team. Responsibilities: Supporting German small and medium-sized enterprises to enter the Indonesian market, e.g. through market analysis/studies/short articles/presentation and business partner search; Work closely with Department Heads and Management of our German clients to support their market entry strategies in Indonesia; Conduct industry-specific market research Making phone calls related to business partner connections Support Business Development Team in execution technical seminar/business roundtable, follow-up, acquisition of experts, VIPs, participants and on-site support for German and Indonesian participants Promoting European trade fairs to Indonesian companies through marketing activities; Coordinate with external vendors Support other administrative responsibilities relevant to project management and event management Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s (or equivalent) or higher degree in business, economics, or related field Proficiency in German is a plus point Interest in German-Indonesian economic relations Ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines Understanding of prioritization and efficient allocation of time and resources Excellent communication and customer-service skills High comfort level interacting with clients Ability to work effectively in a team-based and international environment Strong analytical and organizational skills Detail oriented Ability to grasp complicated subjects quickly Proficiency with Microsoft applications Preferred Qualifications: International experience (study abroad, student exchange or Indonesian international school) Experience in one of the government institutions, chambers of commerce or business associations Experience in specific industries such as communication, environment, waste management, renewable energy, health and public services Organizational experience Location: Jakarta (physical presence with home office option for a maximum of two days) Start date: January 2024 How to apply: send your application to hrd@ekonid.id (Applications will be considered only with a resume AND cover letter (German or English).
With more than 20 years of experience in the Insurance and Asset Management Industry in various global, regional and operational leadership roles, Mr. Grenz brings an exceptional attitude and a proven multinational track-record in business development, transformation and change management. Under Mr. Grenz, Allianz Indonesia introduced the ‘One’ integrated go-to-market strategy and led its Sharia business wing to become the market leader in its segment. Prior to becoming the Country Manager and President Director of Allianz Life Indonesia, Mr. Greenz was the President and CEO of Allianz PNB Life Insurance in the Philippines. He also handled leadership roles in Allianz offices in Singapore, Hong Kong in Greater China, and Russia. Mr. Grenz will be replacing Mr. Choi Duk Jun, the President Director of PT Mercedes-Benz Distribution Indonesia, who has moved away from Indonesia to further his career. We look forward to working closely with Mr. Grenz on our upcoming projects. See our of Supervisory Board here
It has become a source of shame for many Indonesians and the country’s government, which has since ordered the Jakarta administration to reinvigorate policies that would reduce the city’s pollution levels and to encourage residents to take measures to improve air quality. But the phenomenon also highlights the need for the country to move fast in transitioning to cleaner energy, while at the same time, maintaining its economic trajectory. Fortunately, the signs show that Indonesia is aware of this need and remains committed to reducing its carbon emissions. These signs include the issuance of Government Regulation No. 33 of 2023, its continued negotiations with relevant stakeholders on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) funds, and in other ongoing, and, no-less significant, efforts – whether it’s government-to-government, business-to-business, or in the public-private sector. Regulation No. 33/2023 Issued in June of this year, the regulation is an important breakthrough in policy terms for the implementation of energy-efficient technologies in the country. Not only is it the first regulation of its kind for the nation, but the regulation also falls in line with many of the recommendations issued by the international community in the global fight against climate change. Aside from adopting modern energy policies such as appointing energy managers and conducting regular energy audits, the regulation also lowered the energy consumption threshold of companies that are required to implement these policies from equal to or more than 6,000 tons of oil equivalent per year (roughly 69,780 MegaWatt per hour/MWh) to 4,000 tons of oil equivalent per year for the industry and transport sectors. The property sector, another major contributor to carbon emissions, also saw its consumption threshold defined as companies that consume equal to or more than 500 tons of equivalent per year. Furthermore, the regulation acknowledges the need for government facilitations, incentives and disincentives in order to spur the adoption of energy efficiency technologies in industries. While the detailed stipulations will be reliant on the upcoming ministerial regulations, the regulation at least mandates the provision of access to information, consultation, as well as financing. It may be noted here that roughly 80% of energy consumption in Indonesia is consumed by 20% of the 191 sub-sectors as defined by the 4-digit Indonesian industry classification system, also known as KBLI. In this regard, the regulation may thus be considered an accurate approach to the country’s energy transition efforts as it mainly targets the largest contributors to the country’s carbon emission levels. JETP On the JETP front, the progress is a bit more muted, with the government delaying its launch of its investment plan for the US$20 billion JETP funds promised by the member nations of the G7 late last year at the G20 Summit chaired by Indonesia in the island of Bali. Planned to be launched initially six months after the G20 summit in December of 2022, the issuance of the investment plan was delayed to August before it was delayed again to approximately the end of this year. At a recent event however, Deputy of Infrastructure and Transportation at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime affairs and Investment Rachmat Kaimuddin, said that the plan would be completed by October of 2023, earlier than the previously announced delay. However, with the interest rates attached to the funds being roughly similar to commercial loans and a grant portion comprising of only around 1% of the total funds (roughly $217 million), the money would be likely directed to the construction of various new and renewable energy plants and exportable renewable energy. Even so, he said Indonesia remains committed to seizing the JETP funds, adding that it was necessary in the country’s efforts to achieve its goal of cutting carbon-emission levels by 31.89% on its own or 43.2% with international support by 2030, further attaining net-zero emissions by 2060. Carbon trading, bilateral cooperations, and electric cars The efforts above are just a couple of examples of what the country has done, and is doing, to contribute to the combat against climate change. Another recent example is the September launch of the country’s first carbon emission credit trading platform (IDXCarbon), which aims to develop a market that could further incentivize Greenhouse Gas-emission reductions. Some 13 carbon credits nearing 460 kilotons CO2 equivalent from state-owned PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy’s project in North Sulawesi were traded at the opening, priced at Rp 69,600 (or roughly $4.50) per ton. Buyers reportedly included Bank Central Asia and Bank Mandiri, two of some of the largest banks in Indonesia, as well as companies from the mining sector. Other examples include the signing of an MoU between Jakarta-based Medco group – an energy producer – and Helsinki-based Valmet Technologies – a technology company – for a biomass-to-energy project in the Merauke region of Papua, as presided by the Indonesian Ambassador to Finland; the extension of the MENTARI low carbon energy partnership between Indonesia and the UK; as well as the country’s continued efforts to promote the realization of a domestic electric vehicle production ecosystem, which saw another development in the progress of South-Korea's Hyundai car battery factory in Karawang, West Java – as monitored by Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo this month. With this latest progress, the company is on track to start producing 30 million battery cells that would be used in the production of about 180 million electric vehicles – the largest in Southeast Asia – by early next year and should further make electric cars more affordable for the archipelago. With over 275 million inhabitants – the fourth largest in the world – and an economic growth of around 5% per year, Indonesia electricity demand is expected to continue to rise significantly year after year. At the same time, it must maintain its economic trajectory and ensure the welfare of its citizens. With the country still relying on coal-powered power plants to drive its economic growth, energy efficient technology can prove to be an indispensable factor to contribute to the country’s carbon emission goals. To further discuss the issue, the German-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Indonesia/EKONID), will host a German delegation that focuses on the field of energy efficiency. To be held from November 20 to 23, 2023, the event is organized in cooperation with eclareon GmbH, an implementer of the German government’s energy export initiative, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), with the aim of introducing relevant decision-makers and potential business partners from both Germany and Indonesia in both a conference and B2B meeting sessions. With the showed commitment from Indonesia’s public and private sector towards achieving net-zero emission by 2060, the German business delegation trip to Indonesia is a great opportunity for German businesses in the field of energy efficiency to learn more about the Indonesian market and to set up a footprint in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. For more information or to sign up for the business delegation, click here