Long-Term Business Advisers Program

Implementing Organization:
Institute for International Education

In September of 2005, VEGA member organization, The Institute for International Education (IIE) implemented the Long-Term Business Advisors Program in Indonesia through its Emerging Market Development Advisers Program (EMDAP), to develop and enhance the competitiveness of the country’s private sector with the ultimate goal of promoting the growth of Indonesia's economy.

Leveraging the business management knowledge and technical expertise of recent graduate students, VEGA identified highly qualified volunteer experts to provide long-term technical assistance in support of USAID/Indonesia's Mission program needs.

The volunteers worked as Economic Policy Advisers and a Labor Policy Advisers to mobilize support and implement a strategy to help the Government of Indonesia improve the business environment and promote economic growth in the country. In addition, they worked closely with AmCham on organizational development projects to streamline services and expand membership in order to implement a more robust strategy for economic growth, and with USAID Public Private Partnership Initiatives.

LTBA Indonesia Program Achievements

USAID/Indonesia

• Led GDA Communications and Public Outreach Efforts
• Assisted Mission with GDA/Public Private Partnership Implementation and monitoring 
• LTBA Advisor researched and wrote due diligence reports for three new partnerships:

1. Olam International and Blommer Chocolate: Works with USAID/Indonesia’s AMARTA Program to help 20,000 smallholder cocoa farmers in Sulawesi.
2. HSBC Indonesia: Partner with Mission’s Health Services Program in Aceh to renovate a clinic. 
3. Gap, Inc.: Partner with USAID’s Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Initiative to assist earthquake-affected farmers and youth to generate additional income and new employment.

• Published and Presented research at a Bangkok conference on water governance.

AmCham Indonesia

• Conducted survey of the attitudes and opinions of the AmCham members regarding their outlook for the near-term business environment.
• LTBA Advisor promoted to Interim Executive Director.
• Composed an updated strategic plan for AmCham, detailing means of increasing membership and fostering linkages between the business sector and development organizations to support the overall improvement of Indonesia’s business climate.

Advisor Testimonials

“I just finished the AmCham ‘Door Knock’, which is a one-week lobbying trip to Washington DC. Along with three AmCham officers, I went to the offices of congressmen, Senators, Administration agencies, and NGOs, where we asked for consideration of the US-Indonesia relationship and for better trade relations in particular. I think we were successful in bringing attention to the US- Indonesia relationship. At AmCham, we feel that Indonesia is often neglected in Washington, and we were able to promote greater awareness. We mostly met with agreement and positive replies—this reflected a changed attitude over previous years.”

-Mark Smith
Economic Policy Advisor at Amcham Indonesia

“From learning about the challenges of integrating ethnicities, nationalist interests, religions and taking into account the historical implications of the nation, my knowledge and attempt at understanding Indonesia for all its complexity is definitely a highlight of my tenure at AmCham.”

-Michael Gonzalez
Private Sector Adviser, AmCham Indonesia

Links

USAID Country Page

World Bank Country Page

American Chamber of Commerce/Indonesia

Additional Information

Indonesia Longterm Business Advisers Program Press Release- pdf»

Longterm Business Advisers Program Brochure- pdf»