The big read
In a bid to pump up its trade and investment connectivity with ASEAN, Australia has announced an eye-watering $2 billion in funds that will be available to boost its companies’ involvement in green energy and infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia.
Indonesia to receive a lion share of this investment but more to do to attract investment
Indonesia has some work to do to provide investment confidence including simplifying licensing, offering tax incentives for green projects, providing a stable framework for renewable energy tariffs – all game-changing steps.
How can SMEs look to get around the opportunities?
The South-East Asia Investment Financing Facility (SEAIFF) managed by Export Finance Australia will provide loans, guarantees, equity and insurance for projects that would boost Australian trade and investment in Southeast Asia.
- The involvement of the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) and other support mechanisms within the initiative could offer SMEs resources for capacity building, including training in best practices, sustainability standards, and operational efficiency. This could raise competitiveness and readiness to engage in larger projects
- Australia will launch Investment Deal Team hubs in Singapore, Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City, with additional Deal Team representatives across the ASEAN region
- A $19.2 millionAustralia-Southeast Asia Business Exchange has been launched to help Australian businesses identify and capture commercial opportunities. A deal team will visit Singapore and Malaysia in April with a focus on driving trade and investment in the clean energy transition.
- Austrade ‘Landing Pads’ for tech companies will be expanded to Indonesia.
This is a five-part series looking at the opportunities for businesses across the Australia – Southeast Asia corridor. The insights are powered by Via Group: a communications agency focused on supporting international businesses with their cross-border communications needs across Asia. You can check them out at wearevia.com
See other stories in this series
- The Australian Government has launched a strategy to deepen economic relationships with Southeast Asia
- How Australia is investing in ASEAN-based start-ups
- Southeast Asia is rolling out regulations around cyber, data, privacy as the region dials up digitisation
- Amidst soft economic conditions, SEA governments are ramping up SME support programmes