Some of our closest friends shared their hopes and expectations for 2020. We’re very much looking forward to a positive, successful and constructive year ahead as we enter the year in stronger partnerships.
H.M.A Owen Jenkins
Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Indonesia
I start my first full year as Ambassador here with a spring in my step. With new political clarity in the UK, we have a strong base to deepen even further our relationship with Indonesia and with ASEAN. Personally, I’m a keen climber. I hope to explore more of Indonesia and climb some peaks this year. And maybe Arsenal will improve their form!
H.E. Olivia Leslie
Ambassador of Ireland to Indonesia
In 2020 I want to see more Irish companies opening up in Indonesia, building on great progress in 2019, which included the opening of Brown Bag Films in Bali and Synergy Flavours here in Jakarta. I want Indonesians to get the opportunity to engage more with Irish culture and we’re working on some projects—watch this space!
H.E. Jari Sinkari
Ambassador of Finland to Indonesia
I wish 2020 will be remembered as a year that advanced peace and tolerance in Indonesia. Our 65-year-long friendship makes a solid ground for cooperaton in education, energy and forestry.
Building smarter societies contain exciting possibilities for both Finland and Indonesia.
H.E. Peter Schoof
Ambassador of Germany to Indonesia
2020 is a very important year because Indonesia will be celebrating 75 years of independence. Germany will also celebrate 30 years of reunification, so there will be a lot for us to celebrate. Next year will be very special for the relationship between Germany and Indonesia. We will have Indonesia as the official partner country at the Hannover Messe, which is the world’s leading manufacturing technology fair. I wish our two countries will continue do deepen their relationship in the coming year.
Scott Hanna
President of American Chamber of Commerce, Indonesia
In partnership with USAID, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and EY, this year AmCham completed our second survey of total American foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia.
In 2014 for our first report, we also asked the companies at that time about their investment plans for the next five years. Companies then said they were prepared to invest an additional $61 billion, but that these investments would depend on the investment climate.
Of that projected $61 billion, this year we learned that there was a total of $36 billion invested in the past five years. This was enough to keep the United States Indonesia’s largest source of FDI, but certainly far short of the $61 billion that had been projected.
Having reflected on the achievements of 2019, we also pause at year-end to think about the future. I believe the gap between these two FDI figures is an indicator of our 2020 mission: working with the Government and other key stakeholders to unlock the potential for American investment to help Indonesia achieve its goals for economic growth and continuing our role as the leading partner for improving the prosperity of the Indonesian people.
Andrew You
Industry Advisory Director of INACHAMHK
It has been an amazing year in relocating to Jakarta and i believe 2020 will be a year that would exceed my expectations professionally and personally in this exciting market. We might be living in a crazy world but don’t forget to enter the new year with a grateful heart regardless!
Kerryn Filmer
President of Australia and New Zealand Association Jakarta
My hope is that every child here in Jakarta and all over the world gets the chance to have a formal education, because this creates knowledge, opportunities and ultimately better living conditions.
I want to contribute some of my time and teaching skills by volunteering at a local kampung school. I also want to discover more of this wonderful city, and amazing country, the friendly people, the delicious food and the beautiful countryside. Finally, I want to spend time in 2020 with family and friends here in Jakarta and Sydney.
Kari B. Dickson
President of American Women’s Association Jakarta
My hopes and expectations for 2020 for AWA is for all our members to be healthy and happy as well as for AWA to make a difference in as many Indonesian lives as we can. As far as my own hopes and expectations for 2020 is to live the best possible life I can and have a positive influence on every person I meet!
Rev. Alan Wood
Vicar at All Saints Anglican Church, Jakarta
So little time yet so many things to do. The dilemma for many of us, but in the year ahead I want to try to be more loving, kinder, gentler and more helpful to meet the needs of others. This is an investment of time and energy which abundantly blesses both the giver and the receiver.
A.P. Singh
Principal of GMIS Jakarta
In 2020 all of us should pledge to strive towards generating more awareness and take some steps to save the environment. Our next generation should not suffer a bad environment.
Antarina S.F. Amir
Founder & CEO of HighScope Indonesia
I hope the government will make a continuum and an integrated curriculum from preschool to high school, so it will prepare our youth for the real-life skills they will need and be ready to take on jobs that do not exist yet.
I hope that teachers understand that life skills outcomes are as important as subject outcomes; therefore, they need to be taught carefully within a comprehensive system.
Dan Benzaquen
General Manager of Pullman Jakarta Indonesia
On a professional level, I expect a more dynamic and stable marketplace where the number of visitors and investors increases to diversify and improve our business. I expect for the Pullman Jakarta Indonesia team to fulfil its promise in delivering out of the ordinary experiences. I hope for a fruitful 2020 in sustainability with an improvement in education, development and environmental awareness. And I hope for a more peaceful year not only for us in Indonesia but around our beautiful planet.
On a personal level, I hope for a healthy and happy year to everyone around me especially my wife and baby. I expect a good challenging year in seeking achievement on personal goals and essentially, I hope to lead my team in Pullman Jakarta Indonesia to greater satisfaction, results and pride.
Fintan O’Doherty
General Manager of The Sultan Hotel & Residence Jakarta
I wish I and my Indonesian team to continue to develop personally and professionally to ensure The Sultan Hotel & Residence continues to build on its enormous success in 2019 and becomes the largest and leading Luxurious Residential Conference and Wedding Venue in this wonderful Capital City. I also hope for a happy and peaceful and prosperous year for us all and that we will contribute together to the betterment of our society and the promotion of a Green and Sustainable Environment. To all your readers, best wishes for 2020 for a great Happy Prosperous and Healthy New Year and to all at NOW! Jakarta from everyone at The Sultan Hotel & Residences Jakarta.
Carlos Monterde
General Manager of Fairmont Jakarta
With the newly elected government and its new RE-ENERGIZED cabinet, I hope in 2020 we will see a more stable political and economic situation. The expectation is of course that it will attract more investment to the country, which will bring positive impact to the overall business growth.
And one thing that I am very passionate about, I wish for a cleaner Jakarta in 2020. I’m happy to see more and more people are getting conscious about the issue and try to put efforts to contribute to the environment in their daily routines – by bringing their own shopping bag, refusing to use plastic straws and carrying their own reusable straws, carrying own tumbler to get a coffee, and many more. Celebrating the end of 2019, at Fairmont Jakarta we gave away almost 30 bicycles to our colleagues. Hopefully we see more PEOPLE CYCLING to work in 2020 – not only for cleaner Jakarta but for healthier wellbeing, too.
Freddy Triono
General Manager of The Grove Suites by Grand Aston
Wishing you a fresh start with renewed energy, health, confidence and blessed throughout the New Year 2020. Life full of joy and good prosperity also happiness, and success in the coming year and always. Happy New Year!
Brendon Meppem
General Manager of Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta Gajah Mada
My wish for 2020 is for it to be a peaceful, stable and successful year. I look forward to seeing a continuation of strong international visitor arrivals and domestic travellers and the ongoing progress, extension and completion of infrastructure projects in Jakarta.
Mario Stanic
General Manager of Royal Tulip Gunung Geulis Resort & Golf
To continue to develop Royal Tulip Gunung Geulis as the no. 1 resort in the area and within our company worldwide. Personally, I aim to be happy and healthy and continue to improve my Bahasa Indonesia
Satish Kumar
General Manager of JW Marriot Hotel Jakarta
To continue to develop Royal Tulip Gunung Geulis as the no. 1 resort in the area and within our company worldwide. Personally, I aim to be happy and healthy and continue to improve my Bahasa Indonesia
Arun Kumar
General Manager of The Westin Jakarta
As we move into 2020, I am looking forward to a more stable Indonesian economy with a healthy GDP growth. The industry at large is hoping for a big surge in corporate activity as both local and foreign companies continue expansion in Indonesia. On the personal front, I am hoping to spend more time this year with my wife and kids, time is flying, and the kids are growing quickly. I take this opportunity to wish everyone happy holidays and a healthy and fun filled New Year 2020.
Rhys Challenger
General Manager of Pullman Jakarta Central Park
2020 is expected to be a very encouraging year, on the back of the difficult and challenging 2019. All financial indicators are telling us it will be a very optimistic year. We are seeing business confidence return and this is very positive for Jakarta and Indonesia. I hope we have a good solid year, not just for our hotel owners and Accor, but most importantly for my team. They have been resilient in 2019 and I want to see them being happy and rewarded even more in 2020.
Personally, my hope is to bring health and happiness to my family. We hope to explore more of Indonesia and make memorable moments in this beautiful country.
This article is originally from paper. Read NOW!Jakarta Magazine January 2020 issue “In with the New”. Available at selected bookstores or SUBSCRIBE here.
