City of Cockburn Council’s innovative trade collaboration with Indonesia has earned it a commendation in the 2023 National Growth Areas Alliance (NGAA) Excellence and Innovation Awards.
Recognition came in the award’s ‘Partnerships – Building Connections’ category and
was accepted by City of Cockburn Acting CEO, Daniel Arndt at the NGAA National
Congress in Adelaide last week.
The award recognised the City’s unique pioneering international partnership with Indonesia, particularly its strategic focus to foster trade connections between Cockburn and Indonesian blue economy, shipbuilding, maritime, education, training, health and medical sectors.
The City’s first major step in connecting with Indonesia was the launch of the Cockburn-Indonesian Digital Exchange Forum, a half-day event in December last year that linked almost 100 local industry leaders to their counterparts in Indonesia via teleconference.
The forum provided participants with specialist presentations across a range of industries of mutual interest to Cockburn and Indonesian representatives, including the blue economy and defence, health, and education.
Its success inspired the Council-led 12-18 March trade delegation of 12 Cockburn-based business delegates to connect with a variety of leaders and promote bilateral trade in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Surabaya.
After identifying local businesses facing worker shortages and the need for mature supply chains in WA, the Council proactively sought to help forge ties between Cockburn and similar Indonesian cities, strengthened by the Indonesian-Australian Comprehensive Economic Exchange Agreement (IA-CEPA) formed in July 2020.
The IA-CEPA creates a framework for Australia and Indonesia to unlock the vast potential of the bilateral economic partnership, fostering economic cooperation between businesses, communities and individuals.
Council says the trade delegation was a success, with seven out of 12 Cockburn-based businesses reporting a high likelihood of starting a business partnership with Indonesian counterparts as a direct result of the six-day program.
Mr Arndt said the City’s program was a shining example of how local government could
effectively collaborate on an international level to support economic development and
growth of its industry sectors.
“It’s also a testament to the power of international partnerships and their contribution to economic growth and community development, and a great template for other growth councils to follow,” Mr Arndt said.
The Council says it is excited about the future prospects between Cockburn and Indonesia and other strategic locations throughout Asia.