Future Indonesian Grain Industry Leaders Expand Networks in Australia
A new leadership program called the Indonesia-Australia Grains Value Chain Leadership Program is set to bring 25 future leaders of the Indonesian grains industry to Australia. The aim of the program is to expand their business networks and enhance their understanding and knowledge of the grains value chains in both Indonesia and Australia.
The selected participants come from various sectors including retail, foodservice, nutrition, technology, processing, and flour milling. They will have the opportunity to meet Australian industry participants, visit on-farm experiences in Western Australia and Queensland, and explore receival sites, processing and manufacturing facilities, and R&D centers.
To further enrich their knowledge, the participants will attend workshops and receive intensive training at the University of Queensland. They will be educated about the entire grains value chain from farming to transportation, handling, milling, compliance, and policy. Additionally, they will have the chance to interact with industry leaders and participants during the Australian Grains Industry Conference (AGIC) Australia in Melbourne.
The program is expected to have a positive impact on downstream production in Indonesia, benefiting noodle makers, bakeries, and feed suppliers, which consist of a significant portion of the operations in the country.
This month’s cohort of 25 future leaders is the first of three groups who will undertake the program over the next few years. The program is a collaborative effort between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-funded IA-CEPA ECP Katalis, as well as industry partners Grains Australia, the Indonesian Flour Milling Association (APTINDO), and the Indonesian Feedmills Association (GPMT).
The Indonesia-Australia Grains Value Chain Leadership Program is an important way to deepen relationships and build broader networks between our partner countries, transfer knowledge, and improve understanding in both directions, said Richard Simonaitis, CEO of Grains Australia. He emphasized the significance of developing and nurturing connections between the Indonesian and Australian grains and food industries, as exporting grain, particularly wheat, to Indonesia has been a significant agribusiness transaction for Australia for 35 years.
By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, this leadership program aims to strengthen the ties between the two countries in the grains industry. It not only provides an opportunity for the future leaders of the Indonesian grains sector to broaden their networks in Australia but also facilitates the transfer of expertise and understanding between the two nations.
