Pro Network in Indonesia: Strategies for Expats

Published on October 31, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Entering the professional world in Indonesia presents unique challenges for expatriates seeking to build a strong network. With a rich mosaic of cultures, a dynamic business environment, and linguistic diversity, Indonesia offers fertile ground for those looking to expand their professional horizons.

To maximize opportunities for interaction with local and international players, it’s essential to integrate specific strategies ranging from active participation in networking events to understanding local business customs.

Whether you want to establish lasting connections in Bandung’s textile sector or Jakarta’s high-tech startups, the key lies in the art of navigating this complex and captivating landscape with ease.

Identifying Professional Events in Indonesia

Major Conferences, Trade Shows, Workshops and Seminars in Indonesia

Indonesia hosts numerous international professional events each year that attract a broad audience of local and expatriate professionals. These gatherings are essential for integrating into the Indonesian professional fabric and expanding your network.

Event	Sectors Represented	Location	Frequency	Target Audience
Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI)	International trade, export, innovation	ICE BSD City, Tangerang	Annual	International B2B professionals
Indonesia Technology & Innovation	Technology, data, automation, cybersecurity, smart cities	Jakarta JIExpo	Annual	Tech, industry, startups
Green Industrial Transformation Indonesia	Green industry, sustainable innovation	Jakarta JIExpo	Annual	Industry, CSR, tech
Indonesia Drone Expo	Drones, robotics, innovation	Jakarta JIExpo	Annual	Tech, industry, services
SIAL InterFOOD	Food industry, equipment, ingredients	Jakarta JIExpo	Annual	Agriculture, food service, retail
Indonesia International Leather & Footwear Exhibition (iLF)	Leather, footwear, machinery, manufacturing	Jakarta Convention Center	Annual	Industry, exporters
Pacific Coatings Show	Chemicals, paints, coatings	Jakarta JIExpo	Biennial	Industry, distribution
International Internet Expo & Summit (IIXS)	Internet, telecommunications, digital transformation	Jakarta JIExpo	Annual	IT, digital, communication
ISSUP Workshop	Health, addiction, training	Various	Annual	Healthcare, researchers, NGOs

Main Sectors Represented:

• Technology and innovation
• Manufacturing industry
• Food industry
• Health and medical sciences
• Energy and green industry
• International trade
• Robotics and drones
• Communication and internet

Expatriate Anecdotes and Testimonials

“Attending Trade Expo Indonesia allowed me to meet both local decision-makers and international partners. I joined an expatriate group, and we were quickly invited to business matching sessions, where I was able to establish key contacts for my company.”

“At the Indonesia Technology & Innovation exhibition, I was surprised by the openness of Indonesian professionals in sharing their experiences. The networking workshops are very effective for directly exchanging with local entrepreneurs and learning about the market.”

“By attending SIAL InterFOOD, I was able to discover the diversity of players in Indonesia’s food industry, and the tasting sessions facilitated informal contact with importers and distributors.”

Importance of Participation

Participating in these events is essential for:

• Immersing yourself in Indonesian business culture.
• Understanding local and regional market trends.
• Accessing partnership or recruitment opportunities.
• Developing a credible professional presence in Indonesia.
• Familiarizing yourself with the country’s practices and regulations.

Practical Tips for Registration and Preparation

Registration:

• Visit each event’s official website, often available in English and Indonesian.
• Create a complete professional profile (updated LinkedIn, business card in English).
• Register online several weeks in advance to benefit from discounted rates and access to networking sessions.

Preparation:

• Prepare a clear pitch about your activities and objectives.
• Identify in advance the exhibitors and participants you want to meet.
• Download the event’s mobile app (if available) to schedule your appointments.
• Prepare materials in English and, if possible, in Indonesian.

On Site:

• Participate in workshops and seminars, even outside your sector, to expand your network.
• Join informal sessions (breakfast meetings, after-work events).
• Take time to exchange with local professionals to understand cultural specifics.

Tip:
Frame your experience by setting concrete goals for contacts and appointments at each event.
Professional integration comes through regularity and visibility at these key gatherings.

Joining Business Associations and Clubs

Joining business associations and clubs in Indonesia gives expatriates privileged access to essential professional, social, and sectoral networks for integration and business development.

Main Types of Business Associations and Clubs for Expatriates

Type of Organization	Notable Examples	Main Purpose	Services Offered
Chambers of Commerce	AmCham, BritCham, IFCCI, EuroCham, EKONID, IABC, NordCham	Support for foreign businesses	Networking events, seminars, business advice
Sectoral Professional Clubs	Indonesian Petroleum Association, Startup Weekend Bali	Bring together players from the same sector	Workshops, sector forums, mentoring
National and International Clubs	ANZA, AWA, BWA, CWA, UFE, Die Brucke, JFCC	Strengthen ties between compatriots	Cultural events, administrative support, mutual aid
Informal/Local Networks	Bali Business Network, Local Expats Bali, WhatsApp groups	Local integration, practical exchanges	After-work events, mutual aid, tips, partner offers
Charitable Associations/NGOs	Bali Children’s Project, YKIP	Social engagement, volunteering	Local projects, fundraising, cultural immersion

Membership Benefits

• Access to networking events (after-work events, conferences, thematic workshops, sector forums)
• Professional mentoring opportunities and peer experience sharing
• Local resources: legal advice, administrative support, business directories, partner offers
• Rapid social integration and moral support, especially upon arrival or for complex procedures
• Increased visibility for entrepreneurs, opportunity to present activities or find partners

Cultural Factors to Consider

• Communication in Indonesia prioritizes politeness, listening, and group harmony; it’s important to avoid direct confrontation and respect hierarchies.
• Punctuality doesn’t have the same value as in Europe: allow for some flexibility in appointments.
• Dress codes may vary by event: prioritize modesty and adaptation to the local context.
• Informal interactions (coffee meetings, lunches, discussions outside official meetings) are often key to building trust and initiating collaborations.

Practical Tips to Optimize Your Involvement

• Actively engage: regularly participate in events, offer help or lead a workshop to increase your visibility.
• Maintain online presence: join Facebook/WhatsApp groups, register on event announcement sites, share your expertise on association platforms.
• Be open and attentive: show interest in local members, understand cultural differences, and demonstrate genuine interest in the Indonesian ecosystem.
• Multiply meeting opportunities: don’t hesitate to try different networks or clubs to find those that best match your professional and personal goals.

Useful Online Platforms

• Facebook groups (“Expats in Bali,” “Canggu Community”…)
• Specialized websites (Localexpatsbali.com)
• WhatsApp networks by neighborhood or business sector

Popular Meeting Points

• Coworking spaces (Dojo Canggu, Hubud Ubud)
• Café-restaurants with business events (Deus Ex Machina, Genius Café)
• After-work events and professional workshops organized by clubs and chambers of commerce

In summary: joining a business association or club in Indonesia is a strategic move for any expatriate looking to integrate, develop their network, and succeed professionally while opening up to local culture.

Understanding Local Business Etiquette

Respecting local cultural norms is essential for success in the Indonesian professional world, where social harmony and respect for traditions play a central role in building lasting relationships and maximizing networking opportunities.

Main Characteristics of Indonesian Business Etiquette

Respectful Greeting

• Greet with a soft handshake, often accompanied by a slight nod of the head
• Use appropriate honorific titles: “Pak” for men, “Ibu” for women, and avoid first names unless explicitly invited
• Prioritize greeting the oldest people or those holding the highest rank in the hierarchy

Business Card Exchange

• Present and receive the card with the right hand or both hands
• Take a moment to examine the card before storing it carefully
• Prepare cards in English and Indonesian to show consideration for local culture
• Avoid using the left hand, considered impure

Professional Communication

• Adopt a polite and calm tone, avoid interruptions or overly direct statements
• Prioritize modesty and discretion, especially in negotiations
• Respect the hierarchical structure: decisions are often made by superiors, and it’s frowned upon to openly contradict an elder or superior

Respect for Hierarchy and Elders

• Social position depends on age, status, and seniority
• Show particular deference to people in high positions
• The opinion of elders or superiors prevails, and it’s advisable to wait for their invitation to speak

Influence of Indonesian Culture on Business Relationships

Importance of Personal Relationships

• Trust and mutual respect are prerequisites for any fruitful collaboration
• Informal exchanges about family or personal life are common and foster relationship building
• Indonesians prefer to establish a relationship before dealing with purely professional aspects

Building Trust

• Take time to get to know your counterparts, participate in social events or business meals
• Patience and listening skills are valued

Behaviors to Adopt for Successful Integration

List of Recommended Behaviors

• Greet the oldest or highest-ranking people first
• Use appropriate titles during introductions
• Exchange business cards with respect and according to local practices
• Wait to be invited before giving your opinion or starting to eat during a business meal
• Show patience in negotiations and avoid aggressive tactics
• Show interest in your counterparts’ personal life, without excessive intrusion

List of Behaviors to Avoid

• Calling someone by their first name or using “Mas”/”Mbak” without being invited
• Using the left hand to give or receive something
• Bringing up sensitive topics like politics, religion, or material possessions during professional exchanges
• Interrupting or openly contradicting a superior or older person
• Adopting overly direct or pushy behavior during negotiations

Table: Best Practices and Mistakes to Avoid

Behavior	To Adopt	To Avoid
Greeting	Soft handshake, honorific titles	First name without invitation, familiar tone
Business Card	Right hand or both hands, examine card	Left hand, neglect the card
Communication	Politeness, listening, moderate tone	Aggressive language, interruptions
Hierarchy	Respect for elders and superiors	Contradicting, ignoring hierarchy
Discussion Topics	Family, culture, local events	Politics, religion, material possessions

Practical Tips for Developing Intercultural Skills

• Research local customs before each professional interaction
• Carefully observe the behaviors of Indonesian colleagues to adapt
• Learn a few words or polite phrases in Indonesian to facilitate exchanges
• Participate in social events and get involved in community life to strengthen trust and integration
• Show patience and flexibility in decision-making processes, accepting that speed is not always valued

Mastering local business etiquette is an essential lever for integration, building a strong network, and succeeding in your expatriate career in Indonesia.

Establishing Lasting Business Relationships in a Multicultural Context

Exploring the importance of understanding cultural values in Indonesia is essential for succeeding in any professional or social interaction in this country. Respect for hierarchies and the preservation of social harmony are pillars of Indonesian society. Age, experience, and social status determine relationships, both in private and professional spheres. Elders and authority figures receive great deference, which translates into specific daily behaviors and the use of honorific titles (Bapak, Ibu) during exchanges.

Essential Cultural Values	Concrete Application Examples
Respect for hierarchies	Slight bow before elders, priority to older people during meals, not directly contradicting someone of higher rank
Social harmony	Avoid direct confrontation, prioritize diplomacy and courtesy, humble attitude and moderate tone of voice
Collectivism	Consider the group before the individual, value mutual aid and solidarity

Communication practices in Indonesia are based on politeness and indirect communication, in both verbal and non-verbal exchanges.

• Always use a soft tone of voice and avoid overly direct statements.
• Use polite phrases and titles according to the interlocutor’s status.
• Gestures are also codified: avoid pointing fingers, touching heads, or showing the soles of feet.
• The right hand should be preferred for giving or receiving objects.

In the business context, there are notable differences with Western negotiation styles:

Indonesian Negotiation Style	Western Style
Long process, focused on relationship building and harmony	Search for efficiency and quick results
Indirect communication, avoidance of confrontation	Direct communication, frontal negotiation
Decisions often made collectively and validated by hierarchy	Individual decisions or by small groups, less marked hierarchy

Personal relationships are fundamental in the Indonesian professional world. Informal meetings, invitations to meals or social events play a central role in establishing trust and facilitating business. It’s common to spend time discussing personal topics before addressing business matters.

Recommendations for successful intercultural interactions:

• Show patience: Speed is not valued; accept that decision-making takes time.
• Show flexibility: Adapt to unexpected events, accept schedule or pace changes without showing frustration.
• Value long-term trust: Invest in the personal relationship before seeking to close a deal.
• Observe and imitate local behaviors: Respect dress codes, greetings, and gestures.
• Always maintain a humble and respectful attitude, especially towards older or hierarchically superior people.

Mastering Indonesian cultural codes isn’t just about respect, it’s an essential lever for establishing lasting and effective relationships in the professional context.