Members comments on closure of WA Trade Office in Jakarta

Indonesia Institute members are a diverse group of people with Indo-Aus ties. Our business community was taken aback by the recent decision to bow out of a 21 year presence in Jakarta.

"The Indonesia Institute shares the deep concerns expressed by AIBC Chairman, Philip Turtle and also expresses disappointment that the government has chosen not to seek comments from - or consult with - the business community before making this decision.

"This decision comes only a few weeks before the inauguration of Indonesia's new president Joko Widodo."

"We understand that the WA Government intends to hand over the responsibility for WA trade to the Federal Government through Austrade, so it is hard to understand how this arrangement would assist WA businesses wanting to gain entry to this exciting and very large market."

"We understand that although the WA Indonesia trade office will be closed, the WA government will retain all other overseas trade offices including the large London Office that operates at a cost to WA taxpayers of around six times that of the Indonesia office which is staffed by one expat and a local administration officer."

Ross B Taylor AM
President, Indonesia Institute


“This office has been in operation for many years, and is a vital resource for Western Australian businesses that currently operate in Indonesia, as well as those that seek to pursue the emerging opportunities in this rapidly growin economy."


The Trade Office is also key to the various and regular businesses and government delegations and Trade Missions that visit not just Jakarta but many important centres throughout the archipelago."

Phil Turtle
Western Australia Chariman, Australia Indonesia Business Centre (AIBC)

 

"I read with incredulity of the planned closure of the State Government's trade office in Jakarta ('Indonesia WA office exit stuns watchers,' 27-28 September). Ross Taylor, of the Indonesia Institute, is correct when he points out that our nearest northern neighbour is destined to have one of the world's largest economies and the market opportunities there are enormous."

"This shortsighted, penny-pinching, and frankly dumb decision makes no sense whatsoever. 'Zero out of ten in economic management', for the people who suggested and/or agreed to this decision."

Roy Stall

Mount Claremont WA 6010

 

"We should not just accept this decision but it is important to contact Premier and Agriculture minister [about this matter]."

"Singapore is not the same as Jakarta in terms of doing business in Indonesia."

Alan Eggleston-Former Federal Senator.

  

"Just goes to show how out of touch the (WA) government is!"

"This would have come from a security risk assessment in light of the recent increase in terrorism alert.

This is the exactly how the terrorist want us to respond! Stop trading, inject fear and have the western world running with our tail between out legs!"

Todd Shone

Adelaide SA

"This is indeed shocking news"

Michael.

Jakarta

 

"Are they serious with this news... Well... It's really bad message for Jakarta and for the new government... As I see it Western Australia is exactly taking the opposite direction to what others are excitingly doing in Indonesia."

Salam,
Agus - Jakarta