From 1st – 5th June 2015, I accompanied the new Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Director for the UK and Europe, Pak Nurul Ichwan, on a 5-day roadshow of the UK, with trade and investment promotion events organised in Glasgow, Hull, Birmingham, Bristol and London.

The roadshow, conducted in collaboration with the British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (BritCham) and Bank Indonesia, generated significant exposure around Indonesia’s trade and investment opportunities, with a total of more than 220 organisations attending the five events.

The companies attending the events came from diverse sectors, ranging from renewable energy, scientific instruments and beverages to fisheries, agribusiness and textiles.

The events featured presentations from BKPM (jointly delivered by Pak Nurul and myself in my capacity as Head of the EU Desk at BKPM), BritCham and Bank Indonesia. Companies with experience of investing in Indonesia also presented their stories during the roadshow. These companies included the world-leading recruitment consultancy Michael Page, the diversified conglomerate Swire Group, the car interiors firm Transcal and the digital communications firm Dog Digital.

These presentations outlined the opportunities Indonesia offers as well as a realistic assessment of the conditions and challenges that potential investors need to consider, resulting in highly-interactive Q&A sessions at each event.

*The speaker panel take questions at the event in Bristol on 4 June. Panellists from left to right: Mr. Chris Wren (BritCham), Pak Nurul Ichwan (BKPM), myself and Ibu Elsya Chani (Bank Indonesia).*

Following the seminar at each event, a series of 1-on-1 meetings were held between companies looking to invest in or export to Indonesia. These resulted in the identification of some interesting investment leads in the fisheries, scientific devices, renewable energy and manufacturing sectors which are now being explored further.

Outside of the conference rooms, the roadshow was an excellent opportunity to introduce Pak Nurul to some of the finer aspects of British culture! In Hull, our event coincided with the launch of the Chamber Expo 2015 which was opened with great pomp by a traditional English town crier, complete with bell and parchment!

*The delegation meet up with Hull’s Town Crier, Michael Wood, at the opening of Hull’s Chamber Expo 2015.*

Then in London, the delegation was treated to a private dinner in the Houses of Parliament, kindly hosted by the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Indonesia, Richard Graham MP. This dinner offered an excellent opportunity for stimulating discussions on Indonesia’s investment potential and challenges with some of Britain’s key economic development officials and business leaders.