Press release 24.5.2012

Finpro to expand to the Indonesian growth market

Finpro is to open a trade center in Jakarta, Indonesia. Lured by its rapid economic growth, the first Finnish companies have already launched operations in Indonesia. According to Finpro's survey results, the country offers particularly good growth potential in the cleantech and energy industries.

"Indonesia has been a constant promise and we have been expecting it to make a breakthrough significant enough to start doing business there. Over the past couple of years, the atmosphere has clearly changed. This is a good time for Finnish companies to grasp the growth opportunities available in Indonesia", says Jari Hietala, Finpro's Head of Region in charge of Asia. The opening of the trade center is financed by the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy.

The rapid economic growth in Indonesia relies on such factors as the deregulation of business restrictions and foreign investors' trust. The Indonesian population of over 240 million people is gaining in wealth and consuming more than ever. Despite the rapid growth, there are fewer than 20 Finnish companies currently operating in the country in such fields as forestry, energy, cleantech and ICT.

"The few Finnish companies that are present in Indonesia have succeeded in gaining new growth in the market. Now, we call for more extensive attention towards the country. Our survey indicated that the most interesting industries in Indonesia from the Finnish business perspective are cleantech and energy. The large population and increasing wealth generate a significantly increasing demand in such sectors as ICT and healthcare. In addition, the country is making substantial investments in basic infrastructure", Hietala tells us.

High expectations

Finpro's assignments in Indonesia and in all of Southeast Asia have increased significantly over the past few years. In the near future, Hietala hopes to see an increasing number of Finnish success stories in the fastest growing market in the world. One of the Finnish companies expanding to Indonesia is Chempolis, a developer and provider of environmentally friendly biorefining technologies.

"In the next few years, we are expecting significant investments in biomass, which is currently not utilized at all in Indonesia. The sugar, palm oil and pulp industries entail potential for as many as several dozen new biorefineries. We aim at starting our first technology deliveries next year", says Pasi Rousu, President, Chempolis Asia & Pacific.

Hietala from Finpro wants to remind companies of the various financing opportunities available for starting operations in Indonesia. For example, the Energy and Environment Partnership program funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland supports Finnish companies' expansion by financing their initial projects. Finpro serves its clients in Indonesia in cooperation with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in the spirit of the Team Finland. The goal is to support international success of Finnish companies, boost exports and increase sales in the region.

For further information:

• Jari Hietala, Head of Region/Asia, Finpro, +358 20 469 5761, jari.hietala(a)finpro.fi
• Pasi Rousu, President, Asia & Pacific, Chempolis, pasi.rousu(a)chempolis.com
• Outi Torniainen, Senior Vice President, Communications and Marketing, Finpro, +358 40 512 1375, outi.torniainen(a)finpro.fi

Finpro is a globally operating organization which promotes the growth and success of Finnish companies on the international market. Finpro networks locally and internationally in order to benefit its customers and partners. Finpro has more than 370 experts working at 68 locations in nearly 50 different countries.

Finpro opens up future opportunities in international markets. Our competence and services accelerate our customers' success during the different phases of internationalization; we enable them to be in the right place at the right time with competitive concept, products, and services. Along with assignments for companies, Finpro runs several major international projects, such as clean technology Cleantech Finland, Future Learning Finland for education export, and the FinNode network of innovation organizations.

Further information about Finpro is available on our website at www.finpro.fi.