When closing the books after Q2 2007, it feels comforting to see that the Indonesian economy is stable at the moment. My general feeling when talking to different SBA members, no matter line of business, is that the outlook for 2007 is very positive.

We have seen declining interest rates for the last 9 months that has been supporting investment growth as well as an increase in private consumption. The inflation is around 6%, which is well within the government's inflation target, and we also see the IDR keeping strong vs. the USD. These macro factors are fundaments for a continuous growth for our existing SBA member companies, as well as it should attract new Swedish ventures into RI!

2. SBA News

The SBA Networking cocktail (every 2nd Wednesday every month) will be at Club Macanudo in Shangri-La Hotel, from 19.00 to 21.00 on Wednesday August 8 and we offer free flow of drinks (wine, beer, whiskey, soft drink) between 19.00 and 21.00. The self cost is IDR 100,000 per person. No prior registration needed, just come. Sponsor this time is club Macanudo themselves, therefore there will be a complimentary fresh rolled cigar for everyone that wants.

In our last board meeting, it was decided that SBA would try to engage a bit more in social events. We therefore welcome all members to come with suggestions on what would be beneficial for the Swedish community. Send your thoughts to my E-mail: michael_olsson@bmolsson.net.

Friends,

I'm sitting and writing these words on the west coast of Sweden (rainy, cold and windy of course) and it is with great joy I have just read Sten Tolgfors' reflections over Indonesia.

http://www.expressen.se/debatt/1.706963

Indonesia did make a very strong impression on the Swedish minister of Foreign Trade. His reflections in both media as well as in speeches are very positive and really encourage a further increase of the trade, but also points out the major obstacle, which is the lack of knowledge about RI and its Moslem society. He emphasizes on the importance for EUs member states to bridge and fill the gap by continuously supporting investments and trade, which will also further strengthen the worlds 3rd largest democracy!

2. SBA News

The SBA Networking cocktail (every 2nd Wednesday every month) will be at Club Macanudo in Shangri-La Hotel, from 19.00 to 21.00 on Wednesday July 11 and we offer free flow of drinks (wine, beer, whiskey, soft drink) between 19.00 and 21.00. The self cost is IDR 100,000 per person. No prior registration needed, just come.

Our last Swedish Business Luncheon, with the SBY spokesman Pak. Andy Mallarengeng, showed us a relaxed and confident representative for the current president. In short, despite some setbacks and a hard time to drive through issues in the parliament, he believed that SBY was doing what he set out and he will be re-elected.

Climbing the ladder of importance!

Last year we grew Swedish exports to Indonesia by close to 50% and this year we aim to become the largest export market in the region. This is being recognized back in Sweden and recently Indonesia was visited by a Swedish trade delegation, headed by Sten Tolgfors, Minister for Foreign Trade of Sweden.

SBA had the opportunity to meet up with the delegation for a breakfast meeting, where we had a very positive discussion about Indonesia and the opportunities to further increase Swedish trade in the country. Interesting was also to feel the strong interest from both Svensk Exportkredit as well as Exportkreditnämnden, to offer us their services.

SBA’s appreciation goes to the Swedish embassy that during the visit facilitated SBA’s and its’ members possibility to meet up both with the delegation in both a formal as well as informal way.

2. SBA News

The SBA Networking cocktail (every 2nd Wednesday every month) will be at Club Macanudo in Shangri-La Hotel, from 19.00 to 21.00 on Wednesday June 13 and we offer free flow of drinks (wine, beer, whiskey, soft drink) between 19.00 and 21.00. The self cost is IDR 100,000 per person. A separate invitation will be sent out.

We also would like to invite everyone to join us as members. Contact me for more information.

The SBA Nordic networking cocktail (every 2nd Wednesday every month) will be at Club Macanudo in Shangri-La Hotel, from 19.00 to 21.00 on Wednesday April 12 and we offer free flow of drinks (wine, beer, whiskey, soft drink) between 19.00 and 21.00. The self cost is IDR 100,000 per person. A separate invitation will be send out.

The new board started of with a board meeting where long discussions where made on how to intensify the activities for SBA the coming year. It was decided to improve the cooperation with the Embassy and the monthly Swedish Business Luncheon will be jointly handled. Note that there will be a separate invitation list for that and you need to have your company registered at the Embassy or be a SBA member to get the invitation. For more information on the Luncheon, send a mail to me.

It was also decide to fresh up the web site, make a mission and vision statement, increase the activities on promotion of Swedish Export, cooperate with Swedish business communities in ASEAN and improved dialogue with the members. We also invite you all to participate in the reforms by sending in suggestions to us on what you need and would expect from SBA in the future.

We also would like to invite everyone to join us as members. Contact me for more information.

2. European News

The next networking event will be on May 2 at Mandarin Oriental. Contact EuroCham for registration and/or more information phone: (62 21) 521 16 50 / fax: (62 21) 521 16 51 email: info@eurocham.or.id. There will be a cocktail event every first Wednesday of the month from now on. Don't miss it.

The SBA Nordic networking cocktail (every 2nd Wednesday every month) will be at Club Macanudo in Shangri-La Hotel, from 19.00 to 21.00 on Wednesday April 12 and we offer free flow of drinks (wine, beer, whiskey, soft drink) between 19.00 and 21.00. The self cost is IDR 100,000 per person. A separate invitation will be send out.

The Annual meeting went of in Shangri La Hotel. With 15 members and Embassy staff present it was a great success. A new board was appointed as the tradition let us know. New chairman is Bengt Thornberg (Ericsson) and we thanked Ilpo Saarisivu for an exciting 2 years. New Treasurer is Stefan Meurling, vice chairman Per Brandt and secretary Michael Olsson. Additional members of the board are Ilpo Saarisivu and Per Thuresson with the deputies Ola Dalman and Staffan Synnerström.

The annual SBA delegation for winter activities had a splendid time in Åre and on the way over the event, a presentation on Swedish Foreign Department was made on the current situation in Indonesia and how we can increase export and trade. The presentation was attended by 15 representatives from Swedish Foreign Department, Exportrådet, SEK, EKN and others.

2. European News

The next networking event will be on April 4 at Mandarin Oriental. Contact EuroCham for registration and/or more information phone: (62 21) 521 16 50 / fax: (62 21) 521 16 51 email: info@eurocham.or.id. There will be a cocktail event every first Wednesday of the month from now on. Don't miss it.

The annual meeting for EuroCham was held at Mandarin Hotel and it was attended by 30 members. Old chairman Jean Francois Fichaux was thanked for his time and the new elected chairman Hans-Josef Schill was welcomed for a new exciting year. He expressed his vision for increased cooperation with the bilateral chambers, increased work on the sectorial working groups and increased amount of members. The new board: all vice chairmen Philippe Armand, Leonard van Hien, Michael Olsson, Peter Vogt, Dieter Ziulkowski, Luigi Gastel and Clifford D. Rees as treasurer. The bilateral representatives remain as before. More information on this can be found at the EuroCham web site at www.eurocham.or.id.