Transcript
BuSINESS TrAVEl GuIDE TO INDONESIA
BuSINESS TrAVEl GuIDE TO INDONESIA
Some practical tips and advice for the business traveller. rECOmmENDED rEADING
Before you travel: Lonely Planet Indonesia, ‘Living in Indonesia: A Site for Expatriates’ (http://www.expat.or.id) Upon arrival: Expat Directory published by Indomultimedia (tel +62 21 7918 7008).
CREDIT: BKPM
praMBana teMple in yoGyakarta, central Java
GETTING THErE & AwAY
Jakarta’s international airport, Soekarno-Hatta, is located 35 km from the CBD and linked via a toll road. If you require transport from the airport, there is a taxi rank, or for a more comfortable ride go to the Golden Bird limousine counter in the arrivals foyer. Upon departure, you will need to pay 100,000 Rupiah (US$10.60) departure tax in cash at the airport.
If you have a tight program or are going to out-of-the-way locations, it is often a good idea to book a taxi for the full day. The cost is less than a standard hire car and driver. These all have meters and you should round up the fare by around 10%. Useful online resources: www.yellowpages.co.id and www. streetdirectory.co.id
TAxIS
Blue Bird taxis: Tel +62 21 794 1234 or 798 1001 Silver Bird ‘executive taxis’: Tel 798 1234, 794 1234 or 798 1001 Golden Bird ‘limousines’: Tel 794 4444 Email:
[email protected]
VISAS
Citizens of 11 countries, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, are able to receive a free tourist visa for a stay of up to 30 days. Citizens of 52 other countries may obtain a visa for a stay of up to 30 days upon arrival from specified ports of entry (including Jakarta International Airport). At the time of writing these include the USA, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. If you are collecting a visa upon arrival you will need to present the appropriate amount in cash (from US$10; major foreign currencies accepted) at the bureau located shortly before Immigration. For a longer visit you should apply prior to departure.
DOmESTIC FlIGHTS
Indonesia is well serviced with domestic flights between the major cities. Surabaya has an hourly shuttle service (from SoekarnoHatta) and there are frequent services to Bandung (from Halim Airport). Overbooking is a problem, so it is important to reconfirm and check in promptly.
ClImATE
Indonesia has a tropical climate, with a wet season from December to March.
TImE/BuSINESS HOurS
There are three time zones in Indonesia. Jakarta/Java is seven hours ahead of GMT. Office hours for businesses are generally 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. A lunch hour is typically taken from 12 to 1pm. Banks and government departments may close at 4pm. Ramadan: It is worth noting that the period of Ramadan is not the best time of year for doing business in Indonesia. In 2008, this month of fasting commences on 1 September and in 2009 on 21 August.
GETTING ArOuND JAKArTA
In Jakarta, taxis from the Blue Bird Group, in particular Silver Bird taxis, are recommended and can be booked from most hotels or at the airport. These are safe, generally clean and have meters.
34
BuSINESS TrAVEl GuIDE TO INDONESIA
lANGuAGE
The Indonesian language is Bahasa Indonesia. Although English is fairly well spoken in business circles, at least among more senior executives, you should establish whether you may need an interpreter for any business you intend to carry out in Indonesia. Hotel Mulia: www.hotelmulia.com JW Marriott: www.marriott.com Ritz-Carlton Jakarta: www.ritzcarlton.com Shangri-La: www.shangri-la.com The Dharmawangsa Hotel: www.the-dharmawangsa.com
SAFETY
Indonesia is currently subject to travel advisory warnings from many international governments. Although these often err on the side of caution, it is worth checking what advice your own government is issuing at the time you travel. Jakarta is a surprisingly friendly city, but you should still exercise caution if you leave your hotel or office building, most of which have a strong private security presence. You should avoid walking alone at night.
rITZ-CArlTON JAKArTA and PACIFIC PlACE
Ritz-Carlton has now opened its second property in the dazzling new Pacific Place shopping mall, opposite the Indonesia Stock Exchange (see page 13). It has 62 luxurious hotel rooms, as well as spacious residences for extended stays. With state-of-the-art amenities and excellent service there is no better place to stay in Jakarta. www.ritz-carlton.com
HEAlTH
You should drink only bottled water (this is provided in most hotel rooms). Although Java and Bali are considered malaria free, there is malaria in other parts of Indonesia. If travelling to other areas, ask your doctor whether malaria exists and what medication is best to bring with you. In any event, travel insurance is highly recommended. JTA International provides clinical, management and strategic health services to a range of clients. Tel +62 21 526 1156, www.jtai. com.au.
SPOrT/ExErCISE
Major hotels all have gyms and swimming pools. If you start to feel claustrophobic, running or walking in Monas Park on a Sunday morning is a popular pastime. There is a large selection of golf courses in and around Jakarta, most of which will charge a reasonable fee, as well as a large driving range facility right in the CBD (off Jl. Sudirman). Outside of Jakarta, there are opportunities to go mountain biking in West Java.
COmmuNICATIONS
Mobile phone: Mobile phone coverage in Indonesia’s main economic centres is good. If you bring your GSM mobile with you it will work but the roaming charges are likely to be much higher than if you obtain a local SIM card. Even on a pre-paid basis, call rates are modest and you will also gain a local number (although possibly one with more digits than you’d wish for!). Internet: Business standard hotels in Jakarta all have in-room broadband internet service, which tends to work fairly well.
TOurISm IN INDONESIA
For information on the vast array of tourism opportunities available within Indonesia a good place to start is the Indonesian Tourist Board’s website: http://my-indonesia.info n
ElECTrICITY
Indonesia’s power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz. Outside Jakarta, however, it is sometimes 110 volts. Plugs vary but are generally two-pin, European type. Business standard hotels will typically lend guests an adaptor.
EATING, DrINKING & SOCIAlISING
Business visitors to Jakarta tend to confine themselves to the larger hotels. The following are interesting stand-alone options. Café Batavia: A Jakarta institution, located in the old town (Taman Fatahillah, Jakarta-Kota). www.cafebatavia.com Aphrodite: Smart expat bar, which also serves a wide range of ‘comfort food’. Bugils (www.bartele.com) and Cazbar: Popular Dutch-style café bars under the same ownership. Cazbar (located on Mega Kuningan close to the Ritz-Carlton Jakarta) also offers free wi-fi internet. Jl.Kemang Raya is the main thoroughfare of the expat enclave of Kemang—it is full of upmarket Western-style retail outlets. For more information, try to find a copy of Jakarta 24 Magazine (www. jakarta24.com) or visit the website www.whatsnewjakarta.com.
ACCOmmODATION
Jakarta itself is very well-catered for in terms of accommodation and offers excellent value by international standards. Here is a selection of leading hotels in central Jakarta. Crowne Plaza: www.crownewplaza.com Four Seasons Hotel: www.fourseasons.com Grand Hyatt Jakarta: www.jakarta.grand.hyatt.com
indoneSia iS tHe world’S MoSt populouS iSlaMic country. wHen conductinG BuSineSS in indoneSia, it iS adviSaBle to oBServe appropriate etiquette. See weBSiteS SucH aS www.cyBorlink.coM/BeSite/indoneSia.HtM for advice
35
it’s time to invest in indonesia
experience the new investment climate in one of the world’s largest democracies
Invest in Indonesia with the assistance of BKPM, the one-stop investment promotion agency of the Indonesian Government. Why it’s time to invest in Indonesia: • New Investment Law, passed in 2007 • Domestic market of more than 235 million people • Vast and varied natural resources • Abundant skilled and cost-effective labour • Competitive tax incentives and special economic zones • Free trade zone in Batam, Bintan and Karimun islands
For further information contact: investment coordinating Board of indonesia/ Badan koordinasi penanaman Modal (BkpM) Jl. Gatot Subroto no. 44, Jakarta 12190, indonesia t +62 21 525 2008/526 9832 f +62 21 525 4945 e
[email protected]
www.bkpm.go.id 36