Description:

Wayne Forrest, President of the American Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, will discuss the recent history of Indonesia’s commercial relations as a backdrop to what President Jokowi will need to do to facilitate the 7% growth necessary to bring employment to the millions of students who enter the work force every year. Mr. Forrest will outline several over arching themes that bring coherence to understanding the confusing world of economic policymaking in the world’s 4th largest democracy. He will sprinkle his talk with personal examples from his 25 years working with US companies who have tried to enter the Indonesian market and failed as well as those that have succeeded. This talk will provide an opportunity to hear the perspective of someone whose daily job is to help organizations and people from two quite different countries form lasting connections.

Since 1987 Wayne Forrest has been Executive Director and then President of the American Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, a private not for profit membership organization based in NY. Founded in 1949, the Chamber has been the principal US business organization devoted to promoting better commercial ties between the US and Indonesia. With a national membership of over 160 members, the Chamber assists new entrants and established players develop and strengthen their business ties with Indonesia.

AICC's counterparts in Indonesia are the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (AMCHAM) and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN).