Indonesia

Indonesia is the 4th most populous nation in the world.
One of the 10 biggest oil-producing countries
- 1st in the exportation of liquefied natural gas.
Major importers: Japan, U.S., ASEAN, and E.C.
The government issued a deregulation in 1998 which cut import tariffs on 1,600 items, slashed the number of local taxes and fees, and allowed the import of used cargo and fishing vessels.
Economy has suffered from prolonged financial instability and crisis.
Production declined significantly as a result of accelerated inflation and high interest rates.
Indonesia is a hierarchical and collective society. 88% of the population is Muslim; 10% are Christian (Protestant and Roman Catholic), and approximately 2% are Hindu and Buddhist.
The national language is Bahasa Indonesia.
- National philosophy is Pancasila (the Five Principles), which stresses the doctrine of unity and universal justice for all Indonesians.
Major Ethnic groups: Javanese - 45%, Sundanese - 14%, Madurese - 7.5%, Coastal Malays - 7.5%, and others - 26%
Temperatures average between 61-91 degrees F with humidity ranging from 60-90 percent.

Minerals: oil, gas, coal, tin, copper, nickel ore, gold
Agriculture: rice, palm oil, coffee, tea, spices, sugar, natural rubber, shrimp and fish, cotton
Sugar
Chemicals
Foreign films
Manufactured Products: plywood, textiles, garments, shoes, processed rubber, processed food, electrical/electronic goods, and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

Target marketing messages toward group conformity. Indonesians don’t try to be different.
Indonesians are indirect in their communications. They hate confrontation and hide their anger and frustrations by smiling and backing away from situations.
Javanese people are very stable and avoid the interference of unpredictability with their calm and peaceful lives.
Rules of etiquette very important--especially demonstrating respect for elders.
Extended families are closely connected and depend on each other for support and financial aid.
Time is of little importance to Indonesians.
- Time is sometimes rounded the nearest half hour.

Businesses use electronic communication such as the Internet and e-mail.
Indonesian personnel generally rely on indirect forms of communication (figurative forms of speech, facial expressions, gestures and other kinds of body language).
When establishing relationships with the Indonesians remember patience, perseverance, and persistence.
Rubber time (jam karet) means that late meetings or missed deadlines are not necessarily an inconvenience.

Do's

Don’ts