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Business Directory Launch Increases Export Access Jakarta, March 2, 2005 – The Australian Government and the International Finance Corporation’s Program for Eastern Indonesia SME Assistance (IFC PENSA) together with the Astra Foundation, today launched a web-based business directory for small and medium size enterprises under the name www.indo-bizlinks.com. The partnership aims to open market access for small and medium enterprises to promote their products overseas. “If SMEs conduct their own promotion to other countries it can be quite a breathtaking experience because the cost can be quite expensive,” said the Chairman of Astra Foundation Krisni Murti MS. “Therefore it makes sense if SMEs collaborate under one roof.” Up to now, the business directory has 642 members from various industries such as manufacturing, agribusiness, handicraft and tourism. “When the directory first started, it had only companies that had business relations with Australia,” said Robert Brink, Second Secretary, Development Cooperation, Australian Embassy. “Now it’s time for these SMEs to have broader access and transactions. For that, we entrust IFC PENSA to develop and take the directory forward so that it will be more useful for SMEs in Indonesia.” The business directory provides a free promotion service for SMEs that provide correct and accurate company and product information. The directory is managed by YDBA with a team of one person each in information technology, database administration and marketing. Daily activities include data collection of SMEs, active promotion to overseas and domestic markets and being on-call to mediate any business negotiations. PENSA General Manager Chris Richards said the directory was a concrete realization of our commitment to develop SME. “We hope the relationship will provide opportunity for YDBA to play a role as facilitator between SMEs and buyers, provide assistance and access to the banking sector,” he said. The Business Directory Center launch was held at the Dharma Bhakti Astra Foundation Gallery by the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprise’s International Relations Staff Expert Ir. Sri Ernawati. The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) manages the Australian Government's official overseas aid program. Through AusAID, the Australian Government will spend at least $A193.8 million in 2004-2005 to assist Indonesia reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. Australia’s development cooperation program focuses on selected sectors agreed with the Government of Indonesia, including education and training, health, governance, and water supply and sanitation, and has a particular focus on the poorest provinces of eastern Indonesia. AusAID has committed $A4 million to support PENSA's program of support for small and medium sized enterprises in eastern Indonesia. Program for Eastern Indonesia Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Development (PENSA) is IFC’s technical assistance facility supporting small and medium enterprises in Indonesia. IFC is the private sector arm of the World Bank Group. The PENSA facility has a five-year mandate and has been co-funded by IFC and the governments of Australia, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the Asian Development Bank with initial funding commitments of $23 million. Dharma Bhakti Astra Foundation YDBA was established by PT Astra International in 1980 to realize Astra’s vision of building a strong national industrial community in the face of globalization through Astra’s partnership program. YDBA, together with companies in the Astra Group, have provided guidance, education and training in marketing, general management, and finance. For further information, contact:
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