ASEAN-BAC Indonesia’s Post

The ASEAN-BAC Indonesia team had a lunch meeting with Max Bulakovsky from OECD - OCDE Global Relations and Cooperation Directorate for the South Asia and Southeast Asia region, to explore potential future cooperation between Indonesia and the OECD. In preparation for Indonesia's accession to the OECD, ASEAN-BAC Indonesia aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and policy dialogue with the OECD and BIAC to raise awareness among the Indonesian business community to play a proactive role in this progress. ASEAN-BAC Indonesia has expressed its full support and aims to work closely with the OECD Headquarters in Paris for this initiative. In addition, ASEAN-BAC Indonesia has also been very active in the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP) to further promote OECD best practices in the region.

On May 17, 2024, Yohanes Lukiman, Policy Manager of the ASEAN-BAC Digital Transformation Working Group, participated in the Asia-Pacific Financial Forum and the ASEAN-BAC Southeast Asia Conference 2024. His session, titled "Regional Framework to Expand Financing for MSMEs' Sustainable Transition," highlighted the critical need to expand financing for MSMEs to support their sustainable transition. The conference, held in Bangkok, Thailand, was themed "Creating a Digital, Sustainable and Resilient Regional Ecosystem to Empower MSMEs". It focused on key priorities for ASEAN and APEC, including digitization, inclusiveness, connectivity, SME capacity building, access to finance, and sustainability. We would like to congratulate ASEAN-BAC Thailand for the successful hosting of this event. The event highlighted the critical role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within the Asia-Pacific Financial Forum (APFF) and explored the fundamental components that strengthen the growth and resilience of these important businesses.

We would like to extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes to the Lao PDR ASEAN-BAC 2024 Chairmanship! In early January, ASEAN-BAC Indonesia attended the 99th ASEAN-BAC Meeting and the 23rd Joint Business Council (JBC) Meeting in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. This was the first Council Meeting under the Lao PDR ASEAN-BAC 2024 Chairmanship with the theme "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience". Laos' chairmanship of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council will focus on six priority areas: 1) Digital Transformation 2) Sustainable Development 3) Health Resilience 4) Food Security 5) Trade and Investment Facilitation 6) Connectivity and Supply Chains. ASEAN-BAC Indonesia is committed to upholding the unity, centrality, and inclusiveness of ASEAN, and we look forward to getting to know the Joint Business Council better and working together to strengthen economic ties and promote cooperation among ASEAN member states. 

As our chairmanship comes to a close, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed sponsors, dedicated Knowledge Partners, invaluable media partners, and exceptional production partners for their unwavering support during the 2023 Indonesian ASEAN-BAC Chairmanship. The success of the ASEAN-BAC Summit would have been unattainable without the invaluable assistance and insights provided by our sponsors and partners. Throughout the year, we have delved into our five priority issues through our esteemed Platinum, Silver, and Gold sponsors, getting to know their mission and contributions to the ASEAN-BAC vision. It has truly been an exhilarating and enriching chairmanship. Finally, thank you to everyone here who have continued to support our Chairmanship through this channel. We wish for next year’s ASEAN-BAC Chairmanship great success and fruitful outcomes.

Another look inside the extravagant ballroom of the ASEAN Business Awards 2023! Check out the stunning performances, our ABA 2023 winners, and some familiar faces from influential business leaders and figures from around the world. Stay tuned for more behind the scenes!

At the ASEAN Climate Forum, we spoke to some of the most influential people shaping climate policies and advocating for change in the region. Climate action and sustainable development remains to be at the top of the ASEAN-BAC agenda. The time for action is upon us, and we were privileged to have dedicated Roleplayers championing this vital cause during the forum and beyond.From integrating net-zero plans, exploring just energy transitions, and divesting from fossil fuels, there is plenty to be done for the betterment of the planet. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Roleplayers for infusing the forum with their unwavering passion and motivation. It is through collaborative efforts, bridging public and private sectors, that we can boldly confront this global challenge.  

At the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit, we had the privilege of speaking to Zhengjun Zhang (Jun), Vice President of Huawei Asia Pacific (Public Affairs and Communication). During his panel discussion, “Envisioning ASEAN’s Economic Future: Trends, Transformations, and Triumphs,” VP Jun Zhang delved into the opportunities of digital economy within ASEAN. Yet, merely providing digital services is but one aspect. For genuine digital transformation to take root, companies must take the additional step of educating consumers about the technology, unlocking the full potential of human capital and resources. In this interview, VP Jun Zhang underscores the paramount importance of collaboration in realizing such transformative endeavors. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the diverse array of Roleplayers who converged from around the world, both within and beyond ASEAN, to engage in forward-thinking discussions about the future direction of policies and business decisions. To all those who contributed to making this weekend's events exceptionally memorable, we offer our sincerest thanks.