Freelancer.com eyes Indonesia

Online jobs listing platform Freelancer.com is set to expand its presence in Indonesia, with company CEO Matt Barrie praising the country’s efforts to drive innovation and investment in technology.

Mr Barrie’s comments came as he and his team, including senior vice president of growth, Indonesian-born Willix Halim, played host to a delegation of Indonesian officials in Freelancer’s Sydney offices.

The delegation, headed by the Indonesian minister of trade Thomas Lembong, discussed a number of topics with Freelancer’s management, with a particular focus on touting the efforts of the Indonesian government to create a more welcoming environment for local and foreign start-ups in the country.

Mr Lembong said he was committed to making investment leaner, faster and friendlier in Indonesia. Under initiatives signed off by Indonesian president Joko Widodo, the country is looking to potentially reduce start-up capital costs and time for foreign companies to establish themselves in Indonesia.

The country recently unveiled its e-commerce platform that’s designed to reduce the bureaucratic burden for entrepreneurs

Mr Lembong also hinted at the prospect of Australian universities given the chance to establish campuses in Indonesia. Both Singapore and Malaysia have had similar policies regarding foreign universities for almost two decades and while the trend of Australian universities branching out geographically is on the wane the move signals the Indonesian government’s desire to boost its local innovation ecosystem.

Indonesia is an important market for Freelancer, with 1 million of its 18 million users globally hailing from the country.

Mr Barrie said that he was impressed by the level of activity in Indonesia.

“I am very impressed with how many people in Indonesia’s cabinet are from the private sector with domain experience directly in the sector of their portfolio,” he said.

“Why can’t we do this in Australia? It would take how Australia is governed into the 21st century and away from petty politics that is the mainstay of career politicians.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed discussing the challenges and rapid progress that Indonesia has made and will make through technology-enabled reform and “breaking taboos to get things done” with the minister,” he added.