G&R Airtime: our Indonesia-focused podcast

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Episode 28 - Navigating our recruitment process

Tune in to uncover insider tips and embark on a career journey with G&R. Listen to our recruitment team as they answer the frequently asked questions and share valuable insights into our recruitment process.

This episode is delivered in English.

Download episode 28

Episode 27 - Indonesian startups in a changing investment climate

The current global economic sentiment has affected the fundraising efforts of Indonesian startups, especially in later funding rounds, as companies encounter challenges in justifying their previous valuations. There is a notable shift occurring in the mindsets of both investors and founders, with an increasing focus on profitability and EBITDA as key performance measures. In this episode, we delve into the evolving dynamics of Indonesian startups.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 26 – A primer to Indonesia digital banks

Episode 25 – The legal tech revolution

This week on G&R Airtime we ask the question: “what is legal tech and how is it revolutionising the legal profession?” We are joined by two associates from our London office, Sean Magner and Ryan Turner, to discuss the different types of legal technology that are available in the market and how we have used them in the course of day-to-day transactions. Listen to this episode as we explore:

• The reasons behind the recent demand for innovative legal tech solutions;
• The benefits that can be reaped by lawyers who embrace legal technologies; and
• How legal tech is transforming the landscape for provision of legal services.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 24 – Legal advisors and consultants – two sides of the same coin

G&R Airtime is joined by Sally Dewar, CEO of A&O Consulting, to talk about how consultants can add significant value to businesses when it comes to interpreting and implementing legal advice in a way that fits strategically with their business model. Sally discusses how A&O Consulting, Allen & Overy’s regulatory consulting business, was established out of client demand for considered and practical advice on how to comply with legal requirements but also advice on how to achieve their business objectives in the most efficient and cost-effective way. Listen to this episode to find out more about: 

• How consultants can work closely with legal advisors across a range of mandates in order to help a business to effectively implement legal advice;
• Specific examples of how A&O Consulting has supported businesses and organisations to execute growth plans whilst ensuring they comply with regulatory requirements; and
• The benefits of engaging a consultant at the outset of a mandate to ensure that appropriate solutions can be sought.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 23 – Indonesia’s position on the global stage

In this episode of G&R Airtime we are joined by Paul Hemming, Managing Partner of Wellington Capital Advisory, to discuss the current state of Indonesia’s economy in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and provide our insights into what the future holds for Indonesia as a significant player on the global stage. In particular, we discuss:

• Indonesia’s economy on a macro level and what to expect in the short/medium-term;
• How the Indonesian Government has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic and what Indonesian companies are currently doing in response to the pandemic;
• The impact of the pandemic on M&A activity and our expectations for the future; and
• How companies can move forward and plan for a post-pandemic world.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 22 – Meet Caroline Riady: Healthcare and leadership in turbulent times

As part of our Women’s Network series, this week on G&R Airtime we are joined by Caroline Riady, CEO of Siloam Hospitals Group which is the single largest private hospital group in Indonesia. Caroline shares her experiences of leadership in the healthcare industry and talks to us about:

• The path that led to her career as CEO of a major private hospital group;
• How she balances her work and home life;
• Lessons she has learnt which help her in her role as CEO as well as some of the challenges she has faced; and
• How Siloam Hospitals Group has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and what the Group has been doing in response.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 21 – Indonesia’s proposed Omnibus Law: the impact on foreign investment into Indonesia

This week on G&R Airtime we take a closer look at the potential impact of the draft Omnibus Law on foreign investment into Indonesia. In this episode we discuss:

• an overview of the investment section of the draft Omnibus Law and concerns raised to-date;
• whether the proposed changes are likely to achieve its aim of making it easier to do business in Indonesia, and thereby increase foreign investment;
• the potential impact on small and medium sized businesses; and
• the actions the Indonesian Government could take to protect local businesses.

NOTE: this podcast and previous episodes were recorded prior to the enactment of the Omnibus Law in Indonesia and therefore the views expressed in these episodes are based on the draft legislation.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 20 – Indonesia’s proposed Omnibus Law: a new business licensing regime

Staying on the topic of Indonesia’s proposed Omnibus Law, this week on G&R Airtime we discuss how the new law will affect the business licensing regime in Indonesia. Under existing laws, it can be difficult for businesses and investors to know what permits and licenses are required, how to obtain them and in what order they should be applied for. The Omnibus Law aims to simplify and streamline the business license process across almost all business sectors. In this episode we discuss:

• The main areas of change that can be expected in the business licensing regime;
• Whether the new provisions address investors’ concerns around the existing complexity in relation to licensing;
• The potential effect on investor appetite to establish businesses in Indonesia; and
• Some key issues that have been raised in relation to the proposed changes.

NOTE: this podcast and previous episodes were recorded prior to the enactment of the Omnibus Law in Indonesia and therefore the views expressed in these episodes are based on the draft legislation.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 19 – Indonesia’s proposed Omnibus Law: an employment perspective

Following on from last week’s episode, this time on G&R Airtime we are diving a little deeper into the provisions of Indonesia’s proposed Omnibus Law and in particular we look at the section dealing with employment. We analyse the proposed provisions and discuss what they could mean for employers and employees, with a focus on:

• The areas of employment law that the proposed bill covers;
• Why some of the changes are considered to be controversial and what the main concerns relate to;
• The impact the proposed changes could have on investors and employers in relation to common employment issues; and
• Steps employers should take in the event that the bill is enacted.

NOTE: this podcast and previous episodes were recorded prior to the enactment of the Omnibus Law in Indonesia and therefore the views expressed in these episodes are based on the draft legislation.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 18 – Indonesia’s proposed Omnibus Law: what to expect

In this episode, G&R Airtime discusses Indonesia’s proposed Omnibus Law, which aims to consolidate numerous provisions across various industry sectors into one, overarching law. It is the first time that the Indonesian government has proposed this type of law. The aim is to simplify and streamline the existing legal landscape with the hope of attracting foreign investment and boosting the economy. In this podcast, we summarise: 

• The background and rationale for enacting this new law;
• The key areas that are covered by the proposed law and what the main changes are;
• The current status of the proposed law and what needs to be done in order to enact it; and
• Some of the concerns raised about the implications of the proposed law and why some commentators are opposing it.

NOTE: this podcast and previous episodes were recorded prior to the enactment of the Omnibus Law in Indonesia and therefore the views expressed in these episodes are based on the draft legislation.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 17 – What’s driving Indonesia’s electric vehicle industry?

This week’s episode of G&R Airtime examines Indonesia’s competitive edge in the electric vehicle industry, but also the challenges players in this sector face. In particular, we discuss:

• Indonesia’s competitive edge vs. the global electric vehicle industry;
• The key provisions of Presidential Regulation No. 55/2019 on ‘Acceleration of Battery Electric Vehicles Program for Road Transportation’, and Government incentives that have been introduced to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles;
• Electric vehicles vs. hybrid vehicles;
• The main distribution channels for electric vehicles and the challenges these pose to players in the Indonesian market; and
• The economic developments needed to encourage continued development of this industry.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 16 – Indonesia’s e-commerce sector: latest regulatory insights

This week G&R Airtime turn their attention to the flourishing e-commerce market in Indonesia. With more and more Indonesians buying goods and services online and with increased investment flowing in, the e-commerce sector is said to have great potential for growth and development. Factors driving this growth include a growing middle class, greater access to mobile technology, a greater number of fintech and alternative finance options and increased foreign investment. In this episode, we speak to Niki Satyapeni, associate in our Corporate team, to learn more about this rapidly rising sector. We discuss:

• What is meant when we use the term ‘e-commerce’;
• The current state of the e-commerce market in Indonesia and why it is attracting foreign investment;
• The new regulations introduced by the Ministry of Trade relating to both foreign and domestic e-commerce companies selling goods and services in Indonesia through online platforms which are due to come into force in November 2020; and
• Some of the challenges faced when doing business in the e-commerce sector.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 15 – Insights into financial services M&A activity in Indonesia

This time on G&R Airtime we provide an overview of M&A activity in the financial services sector in Indonesia. We are joined by Kenna Safrudin, a former counsel in our corporate team in Jakarta, who provides a summary of the legal and regulatory framework for financial services M&A transactions. We discuss the following:

• The fundamental elements of M&A transactions in the financial services sector;
• The key regulatory provisions which are relevant to these transactions;
• An assessment of current financial services M&A activity; and
• The practical steps involved in a typical transaction.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 14 - A career in law – perspectives from an international law firm

This week we speak to our very own head of Human Resources for the Jakarta office, Sani Pradipto, to find out what it takes to be a successful lawyer and to discuss how law firms, in particular Allen & Overy, are adapting their approach to recruitment and retention of their employees in an ever-evolving business world. In this episode we delve into a range of topics, including: 

• What it’s like to work for an international law firm;
• How law firms are using people analytics in the recruitment process to identify the most suitable candidates;
• What a typical career path for lawyers at an international law firm looks like;
• How law firms can help to develop talent and ensure a healthy working environment, including the importance of mental health; and 
• Diversity, equity and inclusion and the role of the employer in ensuring equal opportunities at work. 

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 13 – Practicalities and pitfalls of convening an electronic General Meeting of Shareholders for Indonesian public companies

In this episode of G&R Airtime, we discuss the recently issued regulations relating to electronic General Meetings of Shareholders (e-GMS) in Indonesia, a matter of great interest to public companies given the current restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. To address some of the previous uncertainties relating to the process for holding an e-GMS and in light of the prevailing social distancing measures in place, the Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) issued two regulations following the outbreak of Covid-19: OJK Regulation No. 15/POJK.04/2020 and OJK Regulation No. 16/POJK.04/2020. In this podcast, we discuss:

• The process for holding an e-GMS under the new regulations;
• The practicalities of holding an e-GMS and what companies need to do in order to comply with the regulations;
• The pros and cons of holding an e-GMS and some common obstacles that companies encounter; and
• The role that legal advisors can play in ensuring companies are equipped with the knowledge and understanding in order to effectively hold an e-GMS.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 12 (Part 2) – Face to Face with Andri Wardhani: Women in Tech

Listen to the second part of this episode in our Jakarta Women’s Network series, in which we continue our discussion with Andri Wardhani, associate at Golden Gate Ventures, a venture capital firm investing across Southeast Asia. We hear more about her perceptions and insights into the representation of women in the tech industry and she shares some advice for women looking to embark on a career in tech.

This episode is delivered in English and is divided into two parts. Download Part 2 below.

Episode 12 (Part 1) – Face to Face with Andri Wardhani: Women in Tech 

This is the first episode in our Jakarta Women’s Network series. The aim of this series is to open up a dialogue around a range of topics relating to women in business in Indonesia. In this episode, we are joined by Andri Wardhani, associate at Golden Gate Ventures, which is a venture capital firm investing across Southeast Asia. The firm invests in internet and mobile startups across many sectors, including e-commerce, payments, marketplaces, mobile applications and SaaS platforms. In this episode we talk to Andri about:

• her experiences of working in the tech sector and in particular, a venture capital firm;
• the challenges women face in reaching senior leadership roles in tech companies;
• how venture capital firms can play a role in addressing the lack of representation of women in tech; and
• her advice for women looking to embark on a career in tech.

This episode is delivered in English and is divided into two parts. Download Part 1 below.

Episode 11 – A closer look at Indonesia’s employment law in light of Covid-19

This week on G&R Airtime, our lawyers discuss employment law and regulations in Indonesia and address some of the many questions that employers are facing as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this episode, we explain the legal and regulatory framework affecting:

• Employers’ ability to impose measures to reduce salaries;
• Termination of employment contracts, including the circumstances in which an employer is entitled to terminate the employment and whether employees are entitled to compensation;
• The position relating to sick pay and sick leave, in particular in the context of employees having to “self-isolate” as a result of the pandemic;
• What the situation is for those employees who are not able to work from home; and
• How the pandemic will affect working norms going forward.

Episode 10 – Recent development relating to private placement of debt securities and sukuk issuances in Indonesia  

In Episode 10 of G&R Airtime, we provide a brief overview of the recent regulatory framework relating to private placement of debt securities and sukuk issuances in Indonesia. Listen to our experts as they discuss:

• The requirements of the relevant regulatory provisions relating to private placement of debt securities, including the issuance of convertible bonds, and sukuk issuances in Indonesia;
• The issues that arise in practice in complying with the relevant regulation, as well as concerns market participants have about its implementation;
• What the OJK has done to address these issues and concerns, and in particular the recent letter issued by the OJK to clarify implementation of the regulation; and
• What the market outlook for private placement in Indonesia is in light of the OJK’s approach.

This episode is delivered in English.

Episode 9 – Restructuring in Indonesia under the shadow of Covid-19

This time on G&R Airtime we are discussing the loan restructuring regime in Indonesia. With the Covid-19 pandemic putting additional pressure on companies to perform in severely challenging conditions, it is vital that companies are aware of their options when they find themselves in financial distress. In this episode, we consider:

• The restructuring regime in Indonesia;
• Considerations that companies and banks should take in to account when embarking on a loan restructuring;
• Measures that the Indonesian government has put in place in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to support companies and banks; and
• The key legal stages of the restructuring process and what role legal advisors play.

This episode is delivered in Bahasa Indonesia/English.

Episode 8: Indonesian unicorn and decacorn companies – going public 

The decision to go public is a significant milestone in the development of a company, which has the potential to offer exciting new opportunities and propel the company to a new level. This week’s episode of G&R Airtime analyses the start-up scene in Indonesia and discusses the pathway to an initial public offering (IPO) for unicorn and decacorn companies. We explain:

• The current landscape for start-ups in Indonesia;
• The potential benefits of an IPO for unicorn and decacorn companies (and their shareholders);
• Some of the key considerations that should be taken into account when deciding whether to pursue an IPO;
• What key stakeholders can do prior to an IPO to protect their rights;
• What is meant by a “dual class share structure” and the legal implications of adopting such a structure before conducting an IPO; and
• Our views about what could be done to improve the IPO process in relation to the Indonesia Stock Exchange.

This episode is delivered in Bahasa Indonesia/English. Download episode 8

Episode 7: Spotlight on sovereign bonds and state debt

This week’s episode of G&R Airtime shines the spotlight on the current state of affairs in relation to sovereign bonds and sovereign debt, with a particular focus on Indonesia. This topic has received a lot of interest, as the Covid-19 pandemic has intensified the challenges faced by many sovereigns and their creditors. In this episode, we will discuss:

• What a sovereign bond is;
• Why governments might decide to issue sovereign bonds;
• The recent issuance by the Republic of Indonesia, including the rationale behind this in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic;
• The process of a typical sovereign bond issuance and what the role of legal advisers is; and
• Some of the key legal factors to consider when issuing Indonesian sovereign bonds.

This episode is delivered in Bahasa Indonesia.

Episode 6: The status of e-signatures in Indonesia

With large numbers of people around the world working from home, the question of how you can practically and validly execute documents is one which has troubled many. Getting it wrong can have serious and irreversible consequences. In this episode, we discuss the legal status of e-signatures in Indonesia, and in particular: 

• What constitutes an e-signature?
• Whether the courts in Indonesia would recognise and enforce agreements executed by e-signature.
• Who can effect an e-signature?
• What documents can be signed by e-signature?
• What should parties consider from a practical perspective before electronically signing a document? 

Season one: fintech in Indonesia

The number of Fintech and tech based start-ups coming out of Indonesia in recent times has been significant. Global investors seeking the next big thing have taken notice of the Indonesia macro-economic story, which sees a young, growing, tech-savvy, middle-class consumer looking to achieve their dreams and, in the process, leapfrog old technologies. Investors are fighting over which start-ups to invest in. 

In season one of G&R Airtime, lawyers from Ginting & Reksodiputro, in association with Allen & Overy, together with guest speakers, will uncover the current commercial and legal fintech or tech development trends in Indonesia as well as the fintech regulatory landscape in order to highlight potential opportunities and challenges for both investors and start-ups.

Episode 1: Fintech series - welcome

In this episode, G&R Airtime shares a sneak peek into what to expect from the podcast series.                                                                                                                               

Episode 2: #LocalHero – Kopi Kenangan: the rising star

In this episode of G&R Airtime’s Fintech Series, we speak to James Prananto, COO and co-founder of Kopi Kenangan, one of Indonesia’s homegrown coffee chains, about the company’s journey and impressive growth including: 

• How they started out and lessons learned along the way; 
• The company’s ambitions for growth; 
• How they approached the issue of funding;
• What they look for in investors;
• The role of e-money and e-payments in their business; and 
• Advice for young entrepreneurs when starting their own business. 

This episode highlights things to consider when starting a business from a commercial perspective, and provides useful insight into the increasingly important role of fintech in modern business. 

Episode 3: The rise and future of e-Money, e-Payments and e-Wallets in Indonesia

G&R Airtime unpacks the jargon behind e-Money, e-Payments and e-Wallets, and discusses their related developments and regulatory requirements in the face of Indonesia’s desire to move to a cashless society.

Listen to find out more about:

• The difference between e-Money, e-Wallets and e-Payments
• The regulatory bodies that govern fintech in Indonesia and their compliance requirements
• How relevant regulations have evolved over the last three years in Indonesia and expectations for the future
• A deeper look into e-Money including the restrictions you need to be mindful of when entering the e-Money business and
• What happens to e-Money when it is stored by an issuer. 

Episode 4: #LocalHero – Akseleran: peer-to-peer lending in Indonesia

Hear from Ivan Tambunan, CEO and co-founder of one of Indonesia’s leading peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms, Akseleran, about the P2P market and what is important for borrowers and lenders when venturing into this space.  In this episode, you will hear about:

• Why Akseleran evolved from an equity crowd funding platform into a purely P2P lending platform
• Ivan’s thoughts on ‘financial inclusion’ and his plans to fill Indonesia’s SME funding gap
• The challenges P2P lenders face when seeking investors, but also how the company is looking to protect its investors from non-performing loans
• The regulatory landscape for P2P platforms and OJK’s desire to curb illegal P2P players
• Advice for future P2P startups, including what to look for in a VC investor

Episode 5: Understanding cryptocurrencies and their future in Indonesia

The world of cryptocurrencies can sometimes seem daunting and complex to the uninitiated. In this episode of G&R Airtime, our hosts go back to basics on cryptocurrency and discuss:

• Characteristics of cryptocurrency, its risks and how this has impacted various regulations in Indonesia;
• How a typical cryptocurrency transaction plays out in practice;
• What is blockchain and how does it work in reality?
• Stable coins and whether they are a form of e-money or a cryptoasset in Indonesia; and
• How the regulators in Indonesia view cryptocurrency.

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