ASEAN Director Addresses South China-Indonesia Summit in Shenzhen

On January 17, Marco Förster, ASEAN Director at Dezan Shira & Associates, participated remotely in the “Expert’s Briefing on Indonesia and Southern China Future Trajectory,” an event hosted by the Consulate General of Indonesia in Guangzhou. The offline event took place in Shenzhen and was moderated by Dr. Ben Perkasa Drajat, Consul General, and attended by Mr. Parulian Silalahi, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, and numerous corporate representatives from South China and Indonesia.

Marco’s presentation, “Shifting Supply Chain Dynamics: Opportunities for FDI in Indonesia,” provided a comprehensive overview of Indonesia’s evolving role in global trade and investment flows. He highlighted Indonesia’s expanding consumer market, pointing to notable investments such as Haitian’s recent factory establishment in Bekasi, which underscores the country’s potential as a critical manufacturing hub for the region. He emphasized that Indonesia, with its growing population and vast resource wealth, presents significant opportunities for foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in consumer goods and infrastructure sectors.

Another focus of Marco’s presentation was Indonesia’s strategic importance in the global transition to electric vehicles (EVs). He discussed how the country’s rich nickel reserves are central to the production of EV batteries, a key component of the decarbonization agenda. By encouraging foreign investors to process nickel locally, Indonesia aims to become a central player in the global EV supply chain. Marco’s insights on Indonesia’s long-term economic vision were bolstered by a broader discussion on the shifting supply chain dynamics in Asia.

The session sparked lively discussions on the comparative market attractiveness of Vietnam and Indonesia, with attendees sharing their perspectives on how Chinese clients view these emerging markets. The event served as a valuable platform for identifying key opportunities and challenges for businesses looking to expand in Southeast Asia.

More resources:

• To discuss with Marco or get his slides, please contact: marco.foerster@dezshira.com
• Why BYD, GAC Aion, and Citroen are Betting Big on Indonesia’s EV Market (EN / CN)
• Publication: An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2025