Partnership Indonesia

Starting as an exchange of ideas and contacts in 2009 the partnership between APINDO and Chamber Trade Sweden has developed into encompassing a multiple agenda still with focus on business development.  The programme has been directed to some of the largest challenges not only for partner organisation APINDO but overall for the Indonesian industry and also for trade between Indonesia and Sweden. These are the support and facilitation of Indonesian SME´s, market access through contacts and competence, creating international competitiveness through sustainability and anti-corruption.

Some of the results are

  •  Capacity to support members and new member services
  • New businss relations   between Indonesian and Swedish companies within textile, garment and interior decorating
  • Sustainability plan in place for the Indonesian fashion industry, movement and fashion week.
  • Increased knowledge on how to work sustainably including against corruption amongst participating companies and partners as well as corruption being one of the priority issues for APINDO policy work during 2014.

The partnership is on-going and a large conference on Women Economic Empowerment is being arranged by Chamber Trade Sweden and APINDO in February of 2015.

More results from the partnership – so far

New business going on between Indonesia and Sweden

  • Business delegation to Indonesia was in October 2013
  • Market seminars in Borås and Gothenburg was conducted in June and August of 2013
  • Market information about the Swedish respective Indonesian market has been published

8 Swedish companies met more than 35 Indonesian companies during a business delegation in October 2013. Out of the 8 Swedish companies that visited Indonesia all met potential business partners and all will continue to do business with their new Indonesian counterparts. Furthermore some of the SME companies taking part in the training programme have also been introduced to new business.

Competitive SME companies has increased productivity and revenue as well as included CSR in their business

Through-out the programme SME´s have been included. The SME companies are important for the Indonesian economy their roles as drivers and employers will only increase in the future. A part from an extensive training programme resulting in knowledge, business development and actual business for participating SME´s. The SME´s have also been put in focus for two strategic workshops where APINDO representatives from all regions have been included. The strategic workshops has resulted in new services being developed by APINDO and a 5-year plan on how to include, promote and develop SME companies has been brought forward.

International competitiveness – sustainability and anticorruption

International competiveness within the textile, fashion and interior sectors means that companies needs to include CSR and sustainability in their business – as well as being supported by their associations to do so. Therefore APINDO and CTS has partnered with APPMI/IFW to spread information and knowledge.  This focus has also facilitated the inclusion of several ministries (industry, tourism, creative economy.

A vision was brought forward and used throughout. The vision is being implemented under the headline – FASHION LOVES EARTH- and was very much a part of Indonesia Fashion Week 2014. The first of many concrete steps is to reduce the use of plastic bags and make use of recycled materials and environmentally friendly materials in the production of Indonesian fashion.

Working against corruption is becoming an imperative not only in Indonesia but all over the world. APINDOs SME chairpersons representing the 33 provinces of Indonesia has therefore created a plan of action and agreed to move forward against corruption. The action plan entails awareness, information and empowering SME companies to say no to corruption.

The fight against corruption will continue and be a focus for APINDOs national meeting in 2014 and has spread and become a part of several divisions and regional strategies.

For more information please contact Sofie Wikander- sofie.wikander@chambertrade.se