Media Release
14 September 2017
Australia’s fourth diplomatic mission in Indonesia opens today in Surabaya. The new Consulate-General will be a focal point for enhancing trade and building economic partnerships between Australian companies and those in East Java.
The new mission was announced in February 2017 by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during President Joko Widodo’s visit to Sydney.
Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson said as East Java’s commercial centre, Surabaya has one of the fastest-growing economies which is felt in a vibrant business environment, with burgeoning university and creative sectors.
“Australian companies are already well established, often with local partners in Surabaya in financial services, education, health, manufacturing and infrastructure,” Ambassador Grigson said.
East Java accounts for about 15 per cent of Indonesia’s gross domestic product and Surabaya, as Indonesia’s second largest city, is an increasingly important destination for Australian trade and investment.
Consul-General in Surabaya Chris Barnes said Surabaya has long been a key international trading hub, with its port, air and rail links attracting foreign and domestic businesses to transport their goods through the city to Eastern Indonesia and overseas.
“Kota Pahlawan is a busy, cosmopolitan centre with a buzz fed by students from around Indonesia and a constantly renewing population from a variety of ethnic backgrounds,” Mr Barnes said.
“So many people in East Java already have an Australian connection; friends, relatives or experiences through their workplaces or universities,” he said.
Australian businesses with manufacturing and processing plants are major employers in East Java. These include Coca-Cola Amatil, Blue Scope Steel, Comweld Group, Nuplex and Caterlindo. Australian services companies Ramsay Health, ANZ Bank and the Commonwealth Bank have also capitalized on Surabaya’s thriving economy.
About ten per cent of the Indonesian students studying at Australian universities and in vocational training are from East Java. Australian alumni are also experiencing great career success in Surabaya’s thriving creative and food and beverage sectors.
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