After two long years of meeting on line and zoom fatigue setting in, more than 40 members of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce Indonesia met face-to-face for a dinner reception with H.E. Ambassador Anil Kumar Nayar.

Held on May 11, 2022 at the Acre-Menteng, the evening get together was a sellout success as members were happy to meet again in person.

In his opening remarks, SingCham President Shoeb Kagda noted that the pandemic had affected many businesses across the world and disrupted entire industries. As the pandemic recedes and life returns to normal, new challenges are emerging for businesses with the war in Ukraine, inflation, high commodity prices and shortage of food supplies all presenting new threats.

“SingCham will continue to act as the bridge between businesses in Singapore and Indonesia,” said Mr Kagda. “Infact, we have seen new types of Singapore companies and entrepreneurs starting to come to Indonesia given its fast growing digital economy.” 

In his keynote address, Ambassador Anil shared his views and insights on a wide range of issues including the economic and political outlook for Indonesia in the coming election year; and the state of Singapore-Indonesia bilateral relations.

He emphasized that Indonesia’s current situation is hard to predict given the uncertainties in the economic climate but he encouraged more Singapore companies and entrepreneurs to do business in the country.

Ambassador Anil was also pleased to see that SingCham’s membership base had grown and diversified with many new members bringing their own uniqueness and ideas to the table.

The ambassador also announced that he was ending his term in Indonesia and would be leaving in the middle of the year for his new posting.

Following his address, Ambassador Anil answered questions from members including whether he would still wear batik once he left Indonesia to which he replied: “I will definitely continue to wear my Batik collection which I have gathered over the last 10 years.” SingCham wishes Ambassador Anil all the very best in his new posting. The Council would like to place on record our deep gratitude to Ambassador Anil for his friendship, guidance and support for the chamber during his tenure and for being instrumental in the continued growth and success of the Singapore business community