Rudiantara Invites Australian Investors and Venture Capital to Invest in Indonesian Startups

In the second event Indonesia Australia Digital Forum 2018 (IADF 2018), the Minister of Communication and Information, Rudiantara, emphasized that holding this forum for the first time in Indonesia, it is hoped that it will attract more investors' attention and interest. venture capital from Australia to invest in Indonesia.

"I see that currently many foreign tourists use hotels, air and land transportation reservations and also buy various souvenirs from Indonesia. If all these processes are digitized, I believe they can become captive market."

Rudiantara added that the number of tourists who come to Bali alone every year can reach around 1,3 million people. This potential can improve the digital economy if implemented.

"Currently there are not many Australian investors and VCs who provide funding to startups from Indonesia. My focus is of course on programs the nextunicorn for Indonesian startups. For that, after this forum, I will hold a special meeting with investors from Australia and Indonesian startups that have potential."

Improving relations between the Australian government and Indonesia

Also present at the event were Minister of Social Services and Deputy Prime Minister for Digital Transformation Australia Michael Keenan. On this occasion, Keenan said that currently the relationship or relations related to Indonesia's digital economy with Australia is not optimal. With this event, it is hoped that the relationship will be even better.

"The Australian government has always looked outward, and welcomes the opportunities that exist to strengthen current relations. I see that this opportunity is wide open, especially in terms of improving the digital economy in Indonesia."

When asked which startup category the Australian government is targeting to invest in, Keenan was reluctant to mention and reiterated the huge potential to build relationships and build business relationships in Indonesia.

The Indonesia Australia Digital Forum 2018 event lasted for two days, discussing four interesting themes. Among others are smart city, digital health, cybersecurity and creative industry. The event presented startups and telecommunications to technology companies from Indonesia to Australia. Among them are Medico CEO Grace Tahir, Managing Director of Kejora Ventures Andy Zain to Co-Founder and CPO Ruangguru Iman Usman.

- Disclosure: DailySocial is the media partner of Indonesia – Australia Digital Forum 2018 (IADF2018)