Chris Barnes to speak at CAUSINDY 2014

Posted on by Karina Akib

CAUSINDY is excited to announce that Chris Barnes, Managing Director at ICON International, will join this year’s conference, moderating a panel discussion on economics and trade.

Screen Shot 2014-06-03 at 9.08.50 pmChris has a unique view on on this topic given his ongoing commitment to young leaders and his experience in key bilateral engagements across business and government including Indonesia Australia Leadership Dialogue, Indonesia-Australia Partnership on Food Security in the Red Meat and Cattle Sector and the Australia-Indonesia Business Council

Mr Barnes said: “I commend the founders of CAUSINDY for taking the initiative to promote relations between the emerging leaders of Indonesia and Australia. There is no doubt that the futures of both our countries are inextricably linked and greater understanding is the key to a successful partnership between us. I encourage all young professionals to get involved in CAUSINDY.”

About Chris Barnes

Chris Barnes is Managing Director of ICON Indonesia. Chris is a highly experienced practitioner in strategy, government relations (especially emerging markets), business development (financial services), public policy (trade and investment), media relations and public affairs.

Chris previously held senior roles with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, including General Manager, Business Development, International Financial Services, where he developed offshore growth opportunities in the Asia Pacific Region, and General Manager, Government & Industry Affairs with responsibility for all global and domestic government relations. He was also Senior Adviser (Political & Media) to the Australian Finance Minister.

Chris is a member of the Indonesia Australia Leadership Dialogue, the NSW Government’s Export & Investment Advisory Panel, the Indonesia-Australia Partnership on Food Security in the Red Meat and Cattle Sector and a member of the Business Partnership Group (BPG) advising the Australian and Indonesian Governments on the Indonesia Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA). He is a former National President of the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) and a former Director of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Australia. He was recognised by the Indonesian Government as a Presidential Friend of Indonesia in 2009.

Karina Akib, Co-Founder and Director

Karina currently works in Jakarta as an Associate for Boston Consulting Group. She is passionate about social entrepreneurship and prior to joining BCG, she led a product launch at Jakarta based social business RUMA which uses mobile phone technology as a tool to develop the livelihood of individuals at the base of the pyramid and also lead business development as a Director at the Inaugural Global Social Change Film Festival in Bali.