Blackmores, Kalbe Join Forces in New Indonesian Venture

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson has welcomed the new partnership between Australian company Blackmores and Indonesias Kalbe that will allow new vitamin products to enter the local market.

Blackmores will initially supply eight products in Indonesia through the joint venture, the Australian Embassy here said on its official website on Saturday (Sept. 3).

Ambassador Grigson said while the two companies shared many values, it was the small differences between them that had generated the creativity needed for such a partnership.

"Blackmores experience shows the importance of Australian companies choosing the right local partner to do business in Indonesia," Ambassador Grigson added.

The Blackmores - Kalbe partnership was sealed during Indonesia Australia Business Week in November 2015, when 360 Australian businesses travelled to Indonesia to build collaborative partnerships with Indonesian companies and explore investment opportunities.

Blackmores CEO Christine Holgate has thanked the Indonesian Government and Australian Embassy for their support in finalizing the partnership.

"We will be launching with eight products and will have 25 products by the end of the year," Holgate informed.

She explained that Blackmores had chosen to partner with Kalbe as it was a major supplier of pharmaceutical products and has an institute to train people in natural health care products.

She hoped that Blackmores would be able to leverage Kalbes training processes and its strong representation in shopping centers throughout Indonesia where it has health centers giving advice on natural health products. (WDY)