Facilitate understanding of Political and Economical complexities of doing business in Indonesia

CEO Forum

Indonesia Country Program

Our members can plan their strategies based on the best business intelligence in Indonesia. Delivering the news behind the news, CastleAsia's Indonesia Country Program is an exclusive corporate monitoring program for CEO’s that facilitates a deeper understanding of the political and economic complexities of doing business in Indonesia.

Meetings

The Indonesia Country Program (ICP) is a briefing program and CEO Forum for senior executives that we have been operating for over 30 years. The program’s value is provided through regular reports and a dynamic meeting program that offers frequent opportunities for members to interact with their peers and share their perceptions, problems and outlooks. It provides a private forum where senior executives are briefed on important developments by government officials, national leaders and other experts. The program offers a unique opportunity for a private exchange of views on major policy issues, experiences and practical business concerns with other directors and country managers from various industries with a range of business objectives.

The common denominator among our members is the necessity to stay on top of the fast pace of change in Indonesian business conditions and to understand the implications for managers. Our members are leading multinational and local corporations represented by senior management only. Many of the world’s largest companies have used CastleAsia’s services and are a member of the ICP.

Reports

The reports that Indonesia Country Program members receive are:

Political Pulse (weekly) Weekly 6-7 page report with updates on changes in Indonesia Politics, nominations, Party information and news highlights. The Pulse offers focused, common-sense analysis of the latest political and policy developments in Indonesia. The report provides an insider’s view of the machinations of government, parliament and political parties for business executives who want a more comprehensive understanding of Indonesia’s political complexities. Click here for more details or to download a recent issue.
Executive Highlights (fortnightly): A five-page report highlighting Investment information, Industry specific information, regulatory issues, mergers & acquisitions. Click here for more details or to download a recent issue
Consumer Sentiment (monthly): A monthly 4-5 page summary of benchmark surveys by Bank Indonesia and Danareksa measuring consumer views on economic prospects, future plans and expectations. The report also reviews Bank Indonesia’s monthly retailers’ survey of key trends in the retail sector, and recaps the latest trends in the automotive industry. The Consumer Sentiment is essential for anyone doing business in Indonesia’s demanding consumer markets. click here for more details or to download a recent issue.
Macro Monitor (monthly): This 4 page, monthly data sheet update consolidates the latest economic data on trade, exchange rates, consumer prices, bank lending, the capital markets and other key statistics in one report. Designed for financial managers and executives, the Macro Monitor is an indispensible, up-to-date reference guide to Indonesia’s economy. Click here for more details or to download a recent issue.
Asia Pacific Executive Brief (monthly): A thirty-page report consisting of a Global and Regional Outlook and detailed information covering 14 countries in the Asia Pacific region; Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Australia, New Zealand. Click here for more details or to download a recent issue.
ICP Monthly Business Alert (monthly): A three-page report with updates on political and policy issues to watch, the market outlook and key risks. Click here for more details or to download a recent issue.
ICP Instant Indicators (monthly): A graphic report covering inflation, exchange rates and the stock market index. Click here for more details or to download a recent issue.

Please contact us for more details about the CEO Forum or for an information package.

Testimonials - What Executives say about the ICP

Service Industries

"Being a member of the Castle’s Indonesia Country Program has been extremely useful in getting a complete picture on what is really happening in a not easily predictable or transparent country. Jim Castle's research and analysis usually shows to be accurate and timely.”
Ali Budiardjo, Nugroho, Reksodiputro Law Firm, Oene Marseille

“ICPAsiaCastle is the radar screen an Industry leader needs in order to navigate the profound, uncertain and often direction- changing wind of Indonesia’s environment”
Anugerah Pharma Lestari / Zuellig, Santiago Garcia

“I have been a member of the Jim Castle Group for over 3 years now and have found the weekly breakfast meetings with the diverse group of Presidents and Directors, to be both inspiring and extremely helpful in doing business in Indonesia and understanding the hurdles that most of us have to go over. The weekly, monthly and quarterly updates are also very useful for long range planning and views & are both well written and precise in their information.”
Managing Director, Damco, A.P. Moeller- Maersk Group, Paul G. Griffiths

"CastleAsia provides a very relevant and pleasant interaction with Indonesian and foreign business members where strategic information can be shared and discussed in an open yet confidential manner providing insights not found elsewhere"
First Secretary Economic and Trade section, Delegation of the European Union to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, Walter van Hattum

Consumer

“The CastleAsia ICP provides a unique blend of timely, objective analysis complimented by business-to-business connections. The virtual and physical interaction managed and delivered by Castle Asia not only provides keen insight into a generally opaque business environment, but also serves as a highly efficient and effective platform for translating the Indonesian outlook to business partners in other parts of the world. Our membership delivers high value for money and we leverage our participation in multiple ways within and outside Indonesia. We can highly recommend active participation in the program.”
President, PT Lion Super Indo, Michael Waller

"Incisive. Insightful. Powerful. CastleAsia’s ICP cuts through the clutter to provide absolute gems of info and market intelligence. Nobody does it better......and honestly, no company should go without it."
Group CEO, PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk., V. P. Sharma

Banking/ Finance/ Insurance Sector

“The ICP Breakfast Program provides me with an excellent informal and off-the-record opportunity to exchange information with my peers. At the same time, the regular flow of press clippings, economic updates and emails keeps me up to date with current events and assists me in addressing the questions of offshore parties. Finally, membership has yielded numerous opportunities for new business.”
CFO, PT Bank Central Asia, Eugene K. Galbraith

“The Indonesia Country Programme is a valuable source of timely and unbiased information on all sectors of the economy, as well as on key political movements. The mix of research and quick reports are easy to read and assimilate, giving me key economic data at my fingertips. The regular breakfast briefings and other meetings are a good source of information, lively discussion and an opportunity to discuss issues and ideas with people from all sectors. Jim and his team are always willing to help and discuss issues. Overall an essential programme for business leaders in Indonesia.”
President Director, PT Bank Permata Tbk, David Fletcher

Manufacturing

“ CastleAsia always presents a realistic and most-updated view of Indonesia’s macro-economy, political situation and business environment, which can help us make sound decisions daily. ”
President Director, PT Dow Indonesia, Hideki Horito

“Castle Reports are timely, accurate and focused. Our leaders find these reports very valuable and we use these frequently to help us prepare our macro forecasts. The business environment changes quickly and we can rely on Castle reports to point out potential challenges and opportunities, extremely important in this information age. The breakfast meetings allow for good interaction and discussion amongst various industries regarding common issues.”
Country Manager, Pfizer Indonesia, John Hoeft

“As a newcomer in Indonesia and a new member, ICP provides a good understanding on the economic and political situation in Indonesia. The program of Breakfast Briefings, the regular flow of data and Forecasts, E-mail Alerts and monthly letters are highly appreciated for our development. Thank you to the CastleAsia team”
President Director, PT Michelin Indonesia, Jean Pierre Kopp

"Castle Asia ICP has provided BlueScope Steel with an in-depth analysis of Indonesia's political and economic environment for many years. We rely on this analysis when preparing budgets, forecasts and capital expenditure decisions. From time to time we have also utilized Castle Asia to provide us with an analysis of specific market information to assist us in making crucial business and investment decisions. On two occasions we have also called on Jim to provide a personal briefing for our Board of Directors and on these occasions Jim’s detailed understanding of the Indonesian economy has helped us explain the intricacies of the Indonesian market.”
Vice President Corporate and External Affairs, Bluescope Steel, Karina Lucia

“ICP gives us more than a quality report about economic and political situation in Indonesia. It gives us great insights on what’s going on in Indonesia, both at the macro and micro level, and an excellent networking opportunities among various business players from both national and multinational companies.”
President Director, Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Healthcare, Djagad P. Dwialam

“What does Jim and his team provide: Up to date information on political, economical, social and demographic facts and trends, published in a well structured easy to comprehend way, including background information and undercurrents; news, valid and value information shared and discussed during the Breakfast Meetings, attended by senior members of first class local and international companies, and an excellent, almost unlimited source of information on specifics, if needed.”
President Director and CEO, PT Siemens Indonesia, HP Haesslein

" We regard our participation to Jim Castle program as extremely useful in understanding Indonesia fast moving and complex environment. Jim's relevance of analyses contributes to our comprehension of structural streams, keeping us ahead of the game. The quality of information sharing between participants during the breakfast sessions combine openness, friendship and high responsibility in utilization of this information. A great program, a positive mindset and very pleasant group of people."
President Director Danone Aqua / Tirta Investama, Bernard Ducros

“ICP provides a good understanding and insight on the economic and political situation in Indonesia, plus a valuable networking opportunity."
Country Managing Director, DuPont in Indonesia, George Hadi Santoso

“In a Global Market, business is becoming increasingly competitive. Business Managers cannot make lonely decisions in isolation. We need to make decisions in consultation to avoid failure. CastleAsia is a Professional Institution which plays a key role in providing valuable information to its members. They offer an opportunity for the Business Community to meet, discuss & exchange ideas relevant to Strategic Business Issues.”
President Director, Energizer, Sunil P. De Alwis

“ICP is an indispensable compass in Indonesian fast-changing environment, with real-time access to the market pulse (weekly alerts) but also insightful access to the business leaders’ community (roundtables and monthly breakfasts).”
President Director, L’Oréal Indonesia, Jean-Christophe Letellier

“Having been seconded to Indonesia twice and having worked here altogether for more than 15 years, I can underline the complexity of the working conditions in Indonesia. In this setting, CastleAsia fully manages to provide me very quickly reliable information on the ever changing business environment. Not only important political, economical, financial or monetary policy information are covered, but also very specific aspects for my business - the FMCG industry.Jim Castle, with his very long and extensive Indonesia experience also very much understands the local culture which is paramount for doing business in Indonesia.”
Former President Director, PT Perfetti van Melle Indonesia, Roy Widosuwito

Energy, Oil & Gas, Power, Mining

“CastleAsia’s Indonesia Country Program is an outstanding resource for businesses of all sectors in Indonesia. The email service publications and reports are great sources of data in a market where such indicators are difficult to come by. The weekly briefing sessions provide not only the expert insights of Jim Castle and his team, but also an opportunity to hear from business leaders from sectors across the economy. Understanding a country as large, diverse, and expansive as Indonesia has never been easy, but the rapid change of this young democracy on the move makes it an even more daunting task. We would strongly recommend CastleAsia’s Indonesia Country Program as an invaluable asset in undertaking this challenge.”
Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice President, PT Freeport Indonesia, Daniel Hughes

“Castle Asia’s program of Breakfast Briefing Meetings, Forecasts and Regular e-mail Alerts has given me very valuable information about Indonesia’s business, politics, economy and society. Jim Castle’s wide network of players from various sectors give a unique opportunity to network with real business players on current business challenges. The Friday Breakfast Roundtables are particularly useful for exchanging experiences and issues with others”.
President Director, Statoil Indonesia, Tor Fjæran

“Provides clear and valuable insight into economic and political aspects of doing business in Indonesia”
President & General Manager, Marathon International Petroleum Indonesia Limited, John A. Bates

“The Castle Asia Country Program is a unique forum and mandatory for any Company or Executive wishing to stay abreast of all issues, political, economic and social. It satisfies a broad landscape agenda as well as focused industry sectors. Jim’s personal unemotional and pragmatic insights alone are reason enough to be a member of ICP.”
CEO, G-Resources, Peter Albert

"The CastleAsia ICP provides a tremendous networking opportunity and discussion forum with industry leaders over key investment and operating issues. This together with CastleAsia's deep economic and political analysis and insight adds value to EMP's own strategic planning and decision making."
President Director & CEO, Risco Energy, Chris Newton

"I try not to miss a single weekly roundtable breakfast for top executives hosted by Jim Castle. These events provide me with a real-time sense of what is happening (or not happening) in various sectors of the economy, thereby giving me a comprehensive overview of the Indonesian economy as it unfolds. This exchange of views and experience among peers is definitely the best way to keep abreast of developments that are relevant to decision-making in business."
Managing Partner and President Director, Kiroyan Partners, Director PT Agincourt Resources, Noke Kiroyan

"TJP is an Indonesian company and all the members of management are Indonesian and have access to all publications in bahasa [Indonesia], but why did we join ICP? The answer is simple: it helps us eliminate the garbage information and select what is relevant to the industry!"

“Being a 100% Indonesian company, we still believe that the ICP products are indispensable for corporate planning.”
President Director, Trans Javagas Pipeline, Joseph Dharmabrata