期刊文獻：中印尼文經協會年刊2013年刊

Arief Fadillah Optimistic about

Arief Fadillah Optimistic about

Indonesia’s Business Relationship

with Taiwan

Interview with Arief Fadillah, Representative, Indonesian Economic and Trade Office to Taipei 

ust having started his new life here in Taiwan since mid-October this (2013) year, Mr. Arief Fadillah, newly posted as Representative of the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office to Taipei, expressed his firm faith in bilateral business relationship between Indonesia and Taiwan in light of the warm and friendly reception over the past few days. In light of long-established and strong mutual cultural and business relationships, Fadillah said, there are still new horizons for the two countries to explore, and his office will make every effort to promote Indonesia and increase
networking between Taiwanese and Indonesian businesses.

Indonesia exported more than $7 billion in goods to Taiwan and was ranked as Taiwan’s 11th biggest import source in 2012. For the same year, Taiwan’s exports to Indonesia were about $5 billion, and Taiwan ranked as Indonesia’s 12th import source. Taiwan’s 2012 investment in Indonesia was $6,470 million, sharply up from the previous year’s $2,432 million. As both the trade and investment volume of the first half of this year already exceeded half of the total amount of last year, and due to Foxconn’s aggressively planned investment in Indonesia, Fadillah believes that there are sure to be further improvements for bilateral trade and business between Taiwan and Indonesia for the whole year.

Attractive Domestic Market and Gateway to ASEAN Countries

In terms of area, Indonesia, with its more than 17,000 islands combined, is the largest of ASEAN countries. The country’s production of energy, palm oil, mineral, and other natural resources is the biggest in the ASEAN region. Its GDP ranks 16th in the world. More than half of its over 200 million population earn middle-class income. Whether skillful labor force, investment climate, its great domestic consumer market, or as a stepping stone to access nearby ASEAN countries, Indonesia is no doubt the top choice for Taiwan’s businesses.
Although Taiwan’s investment in Indonesia is composed mostly of traditional industries such as paper, textile, and electronic components, Fadillah would be pleased to see more investment from information technology, green technology, yacht, and other Taiwan’s high- esteemed industries. He was glad to learn about the strong yacht industry base in southern
 

Taiwan and expressed his interest in visiting shipyards there. “We have more than 17,000 islands in Indonesia, and that contributes to the high development of our country’s helicopter industry. Taiwan’s yachts provide another attractive transportation choice,” he suggested. Of course, he also promised to encourage local Indonesian big companies to visit and seek cooperation opportunities in Taiwan.
 

Friendly Cultural Ties and Business Environment

According to Fadillah, long-time continuous cultural exchange has been the strong basis for the ever-improving business relationship. Taking himself as example, he said, “I have been in Taipei for only a few days. However, I am perfectly used to the weather and food here. I enjoy the small hills around my new house in Neihu district when I jog there every morning. Everything is friendly here. Among the three cities in which I have ever worked overseas, Taipei is the best. It can be said to be my second home.” He even enrolled his three children in Taipei’s public school instead of more popular international schools. “I want my child to get acquainted with the local people, local culture, and the language. In my view, Chinese is becoming the most powerful language in the world,” he said.
Fadillah spoke highly of the variety of delicious food and restaurants in Taiwan. Not only is the flavor just in line with his taste, but there are also plenty of Halal food (special Muslim food), to his surprise. He laughed and said, “Most of the VIPs from Indonesia arrived in Taipei about late night. But it is never difficult for us to find some good place for dinner.”
According to Fadillah, there are currently more than 215 thousand Indonesian workers and 3,000 Indonesian students in Taiwan. Most of the women married to Taiwanese men are from Singawan City of Calimatan Island, which is also a sister city of Taiwan’s
Yangmei City. By the way, not a few Taiwanese business persons have settled in Indonesia, and there are also Taiwan schools in Jakarta. “We have the same feelings and emotions,” he said. “With such a strong hard-to-break cultural relationship, the formation of regional economies such as ASEAN, etc. presents no big threat to Taiwan’s business development in Indonesia.”
Fadillah is optimistic about the next year, which is sure to be full of activities. As a new arrival, he would like first to visit the local information technology factories and shipyards. He is more than happy to cooperate with local trade associations in arranging trade and investment missions
and is even thinking about an Indonesian festival to promote Indonesian culture. In addition, he is eager to help Taiwan’s businesses establish a foothold in Indonesian market by finding them suitable partners. “To save time in dealing with varieties of trade regulations, industrial standards, cultural differences, and special business practices,” Fadillah has stated his office can “serve as a gateway for Taiwan.”  He said, “Compared to Washington, D.C. of the U.S.,
which is more focused on diplomatic and trade policies, I see real business here in Taiwan.” ■