The Business Travelers Series: Navigating Indonesia & Malaysia

Explore Business Opportunities in Southeast Asia’s Fastest-Growing Markets

Are you looking to expand your business or export strategy in Southeast Asia? Join us on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. EST, this one-hour virtual event will help you navigate the unique cultural, logistical, and strategic challenges of doing business in Indonesia and Malaysia—two of the region’s most dynamic and accessible economies for U.S. companies.

This session is part of our Business Travelers Series, designed to prepare professionals for international business travel and cross-cultural collaboration.


Webinar Details:

Sponsored by:

Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM EST

Location: Live Virtual via Zoom
Cost: VAGTC Members - $15 | Non-Members - $25

Register for The Business Travelers Series: Navigating Indonesia & Malaysia


Why Focus on Indonesia and Malaysia?

With a combined population of over 310 million, these two nations represent powerful market potential for Michigan businesses:

Indonesia

  • Largest economy in Southeast Asia with a GDP of $1.32 trillion (2022)
  • Rich in natural resources and strategically located along major global trade routes
  • A democratic nation with growing regional autonomy and business opportunities in energy, tech, agriculture, and infrastructure

Malaysia

  • An upper middle-income country with a well-developed infrastructure
  • English is widely spoken in both business and consumer environments
  • U.S. exports to Malaysia exceeded $18 billion in 2022, spanning sectors like electronics, medical equipment, and industrial tech
  • Consistently ranked as a business-friendly, cost-effective export market

What You’ll Learn: Business Travel and Cultural Best Practices

Gain actionable insights and practical knowledge to prepare for success when traveling for business or forming partnerships in these markets. This session will address how to respectfully and confidently operate in different cultural and professional environments.

Topics include:

  • Key Country Overviews & Market Entry Considerations
  • Business Meeting Protocols & Relationship Building
  • Cultural Etiquette: Gift Giving, Greetings, and Hospitality
  • Business Attire Standards in Southeast Asia
  • Communication Styles & Language Expectations
  • Effective Negotiation Tactics in Indonesia & Malaysia
Navigating Indonesia and Malaysia

Who Should Attend?

This webinar is ideal for:

  • U.S. companies exporting to Southeast Asia
  • Business professionals traveling to Indonesia or Malaysia
  • Trade consultants, supply chain managers, and international sales teams
  • Government, education, and nonprofit professionals involved in international market development

Whether you're an experienced global business traveler or preparing for your first overseas engagement, this session will equip you with the cultural intelligence and market awareness to thrive.

Why This Session Matters

Succeeding in international business takes more than great products—it requires cultural fluency, strategic planning, and relationship-building skills. With Southeast Asia’s economies growing rapidly, now is the time to understand the opportunities—and avoid the missteps—that come with cross-border business.

Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM EST

Location: Live Virtual via Zoom
Cost: VAGTC Members - $15 | Non-Members - $25

A link to the virtual training will be sent to registrants 24 hours before the start of the session.

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VAGTC's Live Virtual Training Policy - Van Andel Global Trade Center’s (VAGTC) reserves the right to record live virtual training sessions for archival purposes, on-demand library purposes, or makeup sessions for paying registrants who may have missed a session due to extenuating circumstances. Live virtual training sessions will not be recorded for attendee distribution purposes following the session. Global trade is an ever-changing landscape and VAGTC believes offering live virtual training where attendees can ask questions and receive responses in real-time is crucial for the success of learning trade topics and is an added value for those attending these events. Read the full policy here.


Ready for the Next Steps?

Automation Alley invites small and medium-sized companies in Michigan to join their trade mission to Indonesia and Malaysia (with a Singapore option). Meet face-to-face with prospective customers and partners in Southeast Asia, the world’s fastest-growing region.

Learn More



Page last modified March 28, 2025