Japanese join hands with S.E. Asian firms to boost business prospects

Japanese firms eying retail and manufacturing sectors in South East Asia, are joining hands with local partners.

MINISTOP, Japan's largest retail group, recently forayed into the Indonesian market by opening its first outlet in Bintaro, south of Jakarta, in cooperation with its Indonesian franchise holder, PT Bahagia Niaga Lestari.

The company, which already runs 2,320 convenience stores in 5 countries in Asia including Korea, Philippines, China, Vietnam and Kazakhstan, is planning to open 10 outlets in Indonesia this year.

Nugroho Setiadharma, President Director, PT Bahagia Niaga Letsari, said: We have experience in the retail business, but convenience store is not only the retail business but also involving a logistics business and logistics business is basically what we are lack of. That's why we are looking for a strong partner to work together with us. We first open today, the first MINISTOP in Indonesia. MINISTOP of Japan support us fully, with all the skills and experiences that they have, they sent their all the stuff here to help us to establish our first store.

The Japanese firm is optimistic about emerging markets in Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country.

Naoyumi Miyashita, President, Representative Director, MINISTOP Co. Ltd. said: "To start a business in retail one should choose the right partner who has thorough knowledge about the region. Though many issues exist, but we keep our faith and work closely with local partners for success in the business."

In the manufacturing sector too, Japanese firms are strengthening bonds with local partners in South-East Asia.

Japanese Gas appliances maker, Rinnai has completed its 25 years of existence in Indonesia since it established the Chikupa Plant in suburbs of Jakarta in 1988.

The company continues to grow its business with Indonesian partners, and has established its second plant at Balaraja this year to meet the growing demand.

Hajadi A. Arifin, Marketing Director, PT Rinnai Indonesia, said: "First, we believed that we chose the right partner. Rinnai Japan has been in this has appliances business for many years. So we believed that they have the expertise, they can produce the very good quality products, and we believed that the product is suitable for Indonesian market. But not at the beginning, but now we realized that the gas appliances are very important products for Indonesian family."

The Japanese firms have a great opportunity to tap the markets of emerging economies, including India.

Be it retail or manufacturing -Japanese firms have advanced technology and expertise that they can share with their business partners.