Industry and Retail

Efforts are under way to transition the economy from one based on the export of raw materials, particularly hydrocarbons, to more advanced production. Recent trends show that this push is gaining traction, as Indonesia’s GDP grew 6.1% in 2010 despite a 2.3% contraction in the oil and gas sectors. The country aims to become an industrialised country by 2025. To facilitate this transformation, state planners have identified six core sectors capable of contributing significantly to Indonesia’s GDP, and divided the country into six “economic corridors” that will focus on a specific set of industries for which they are most suited. Infrastructure development will be key to industry’s success. This section includes interviews with Sudhamek AWS, President Director, GarudaFood; John Gledhill, President Director, HM Sampoerna; and Suryo Sulisto, Chairman, Indonesia Chamber of Commerce (KADIN); and a viewpoint by Fransiscus Welirang, Director, Indofood.