Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Alok Sharma to launch “technopreneur” project in Indonesia

The innovative scheme was launched by the Minister for Asia during a visit to Indonesia.

A generation of “technopreneurs” is set to be created in Indonesia in a joint UK-Indonesia project launched by the UK’s Asia Minister Alok Sharma MP, as part of the expanding trade relations between the two countries.

The innovative scheme was launched by the minister during a visit to Indonesia on Tuesday 11 October 2016.

The project will fund training to encourage young scientists and engineers to drive innovation, and is part of a wider package of measures to increase joint work on science and technology.

Alok Sharma said yesterday:

South East Asia is a key region for the UK. We are natural partners, with the regional powerhouse economies, and in addition to trade, already work closely on areas from peace and security to science and technology. This exciting project to bring on a new generation of technopreneurs will drive forward areas where we can work together.

As the UK prepares to leave the EU, we have a unique opportunity to become a global leader in free trade and to intensify our trading relationships with Indonesia and this dynamic region. Last year alone, our bilateral trade in goods with Indonesia increased by nearly 5% to £1.62bn.

Indonesia is a partner country for the Newton Fund – the UK’s £375m official development assistance fund that aims to promote research and innovation cooperation.

Mr Sharma will finalise the collaboration agreement between the Indonesian Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education and the UK Royal Academy of Engineering, which will provide fully funded intensive training for Indonesian “technopreneurs”, as well as innovation grants for joint projects on technology improvements worth £800,000.

Almost 3,000 Indonesians already study in the UK, and the Minister will meet a number of graduates whose studies were funded by the UK’s Chevening Scholarship scheme.

He met Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister Fachir to discuss potential trade opportunities and UK expertise as Indonesia prepares to host the 2018 Asian Games. The Ministers also discussed a range of foreign policy issues from our cooperation on countering violent extremism to Indonesia’s welcome role in the Middle East Peace Process.

Further information

  • The Newton Fund aims to promote the economic development and social welfare of either the partner countries or, through working with the partner country, to address the well being of communities.
  • Indonesia is a partner country for the Newton Fund – the UK’s £375m official development assistance fund that aims to promote research and innovation cooperation.
  • In Indonesia, the Newton Fund has been re-launched as UK-Indonesian Science and Technology Fund in March 2016. Newton Fund provides joint funding for research and innovation in partnership with the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, the Indonesian Science Fund and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

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