2017

We have proudly worked with

“Thanks to a good cooperation with all Chinese stakeholders in the Netherlands the ARP team was able to conduct good research.

This research gave Amsterdam Schiphol valuable insights in the Cross Border E-Commerce market.”

Saskia van Pelt - Director Business Development Schiphol

“THE REPORT NOT ONLY PROVIDED A CLEAR MARKET ANALYSIS, BUT ALSO STRATEGIC ADVICE ON HOW TO BEST APPROACH FUTURE MARKET DEVELOPMENTS.”

In 2008, ZOLL Medical was introduced to the Amsterdam Research Project for the first time. The student’s research project destination for that year was Brazil – a country in which ZOLL, being a leading producer of cardiac resuscitation equipment - had promising opportunities for new market development.

After extensive preparation and on site research, the Amsterdam Research Project students produced an excellent summary of the Brazilian market. The report not only provided a clear market analysis, but also strategic advice on how to best approach future market developments. Based on the success of their first research project in Brazil, ZOLL has partnered with the students multiple times since

Ronald MeliesteVice President International Business Development

The members of the ARP team impressed us with their professionalism and dedication. They kept us well informed during all phases of the project, and especially during the field research they showed a lot of creativity in getting us the information we were looking for. At the end of the project they supplied us with a high quality report of their findings, and their recommendations will absolutely help us opening up the Chinese market for our conveyor belt products.

We highly recommend ARP’s services, and we can definitely see us working again with another ARP team in the near future!

Peter de Vries - Sales Supervisor

Board of Recommendations

Dr. A.H.G. Rinnooy Kan Former Chairman Social Economic Council

Dr. J.P. Pronk Former Special Representative Secretary General of the UN

Dr. G. Zalm Chief Executive Officer ABN AMRO Bank

Drs. D.A. Benschop Vice President Non-Operated Ventures Shell-Netherlands

Prof. dr. V. Subramaniam Rector Magnificus VU University Amsterdam

Prof. dr. K.H.W. Knot President De Nederlandsche Bank NV

Mrs. F. Karimi Executive Director Oxfam Novib

Mr. E.E. van der Laan Mayor City of Amsterdam

Mr. J. Schothorst former Chief Executive Officer McGregor Fashion Group BV

Drs. F. Sijbesma Chief Executive Officer Royal DSM NV

Mw.A. Broekers-Knol Chairman Senate of the Dutch Parliament

Drs. P. Bommel Chief Executive Officer Deloitte

F.A van Houten President Executive Committee Philips

Contact details

Amsterdam Research Project VU University / Aureus

De Boelelaan 1105 Room 8A-68 1081 HV Amsterdam The Netherlands

info@arp-vu.com www.aureus.nl/arp

Fabian Jilderda – Chairman +31 6 12 52 99 50 chairman@arp-vu.com

Annabel Keulen – Controller +31 6 24 11 60 61controller@arp-vu.com

Anton Floor – Marketing/Logistics Manager +31 6 51 54 08 15 logistics@arp-vu.com

Tessa van der Meij – Internal Affairs +31 6 30 57 10 92 internalaffairs@arp-vu.com

Bart Hoogland – External Affairs +31 6 15 21 88 12 externalaffairs@arp-vu.com

Bank Account: ABN AMRO 62.55.16.559 IBAN: NL24ABNA0625516559 BIC: ABNANL2A

Chamber of Commerce: 41205976 (Amsterdam)

www.aureus.nl/arp

faculty economics and business administration

Amsterdam Research Project

Myanmar & Indonesia

PREFACE

As you probably know best, doing business has to be to the benefice of the parties involved. So, what are the mutual advantages? Our faculty educates students in economics and business administration. They are well trained and knowledgeable. But, to be successful as academics in this globalizing world, they need more executive education and international experience.

That is exactly why I firmly support the Amsterdam Research Project, geared to the growing Myanmar and Indonesian market. The participating students are particularly interested in investigating the market conditions and sales opportunities in Myanmar and Indonesia. They carry out the assignments and research projects with great enthusiasm and frankness, supervised by senior staff members of the faculty, from the very beginning to the final report and presentation of the research results. This way, students achieve greater success in implementing their knowledge and skills, and perform better in their professional life and in society. In economic jargon, they become a real positive external effect to the business community and society. Creating these effects is our social service, and justifies government funding.

However, this is not enough, and that is why I invite you to do business with the Amsterdam Research Project 2017, by commissioning research assignments and sponsorships. To be clear: the Amsterdam Research Project has a non-profit objective by only covering the expenses.

The return on your investment is threefold, although difficult to measure in any real way. To begin with, you support our social responsibility. Second, you can take business advantages from the research results and insights gained by the students in a foreign market. Finally, you get to know our students on mission: an excellent opportunity to meet possible future employees. Then you turn the positive external effect to society into a private advantage for your company.

I kindly invite you to join us,

Prof. Dr. W.F.C. Verschoor

With a population of 260 million, Indonesia is the largest country in South East Asia and has one of the fastest growing economies in the region. And while many countries face a decreasing percentage of working people, compared to the total population, Indonesia can rely on a steady growth of the workforce for many years to come. By estimations of the IMF, more than 70 percent of the population in 2030 will be of working age: 170 million

young people.

Over the past few decades poverty rates have halved, though there still is much progress to be made. The government is attempting to reduce bureaucracy, modernize its economy and create jobs for its youth, but there are many obstacles on the way. The country copes with an infrastructure that is unreliable, over-used and ill maintained, and has a power grid that needs radical improvements. To face these challenges, the government

is determined to invest in these sectors and make opportunities in these sectors available for foreign businesses and investors.

According to the Dutch embassy in Indonesia there are many opportunities for Dutch businesses, for example in agriculture, the water sector, energy, transport & logistics and the opportunities that arise from a growing middle class.

THE AMSTERDAM RESEARCH PROJECT

For the 17th consecutive year a group of highly motivated students is bound for a country with an upcoming economy to research business opportunities for Dutch organizations.

With full support from VU University these students will conduct their research in Indonesia and Myanmar in April 2017.

The history of the Amsterdam Research Project shows extensive expertise in business consultancy and research in foreign countries. The project’s track record shows high quality results that enabled partner organizations to obtain a competitive edge overseas.

WHAT WE DO

The Amsterdam Research Project conducts research in upcoming markets, tailored to the specific needs or challenges of the partner company. The upcoming expedition will cover variety of subjects and markets in Myanmar and Indonesia. Earlier editions have delivered reports that taught organizations about the various business opportunities and enabled companies to expand their activities overseas. Common to the earlier trips, this year’s delegation will work closely together with local governments, experts and consultants to ensure quality of the outcome.

Examples of research topics: • Market analysis • Distribution and logistics • Finance or investment opportunities • Outsourcing and offshoring • Corporate social responsibility• Identification of potential partners • Import and export analysis • Market expansion opportunities

HOW WE WORK

The participating students will be assigned to a specific organization in groups of three or four. The teams will work closely together with the company and will continuously be supervised by senior staff members of VU University.

After determining the objectives the students will proceed with preliminary research in the Netherlands, followed by the field research in Myanmar and Indonesia. This period of

field research includes interviews at a variety of companies, universities,

governmental institutions and other entities of interest. All information and insights from the field research will be taken back to the Netherlands for analysis and reporting. The research group will present their findings and deliver the final reports shortly after.

WHO WE ARE

The Amsterdam Research Project consists of twenty

master and third year Bachelor students. During the course of one year these students are turned into consultants with in-depth knowledge of Indonesia and Myanmar. Senior academic staff members and professionals from the private sector provide extensive training and guidance.

With educational backgrounds varying from marketing and finance to organization strategy and consulting, the Amsterdam Research Project represents a wide variety of specializations, which results in a multidisciplinary look on organizational challenges.

In the final stages of their studies, the participating students see the Amsterdam Research Project as a perfect stepping-stone to a challenging and interesting career. As a result, they are eager to learn practical consultancy and research skills to aid them in the path towards their goals.

History shows a mutual benefit for both the students and the partner companies. Some of our students have become full-time consultants and others have even started working with a company they conducted research for.

WHY MYANMAR & INDONESIA?

Myanmar offers new and promising prospects for businesses from the Netherlands. It is a country with an incredibly rich history yet is rising up from decades of the military regime at power. In 2012 the National League for Democracy won the by-elections by a landslide. The country has been in the process of reforming ever since and will continue to do so in the near future.

With a population of 60 million people – 45 million of which are in the working age - and being positioned in one of the fastest growing regions in the world there are many prospects for business. The nation has abundant natural resources and is close to a market of half a billion people.

Economists expect that, if managed correctly, Myanmar’s economy has the potential to quadruple from 50 billion Euros in 2010 to more than 200 billion Euros 2030.

Despite the prosperous scenarios there are countless challenges the country faces. Low productivity in labor, instable government, and a crippling infrastructure are just a few of the hurdles the country has to overcome. The government is introducing special incentives for foreign corporations and capital to invest in agriculture, infrastructure, the water sector, textile and other sectors.

SUPERVISOR

Dr. Peter Peverelli was one of the first Dutch students to study in China in 1975-76. While keeping a keen interest in South-East Asia he switched from academia to a commercial career in 1985. He worked for Gist-brocades (now DSM) and later founded his own consultancy firm. His goal remains improve cooperation between European and Chinese partners. Dr. Peverelli joined VU University in 2001. He has an M.Lit. degree (Leiden University), a PhD Lit degree (Leiden University) and a PhD in Business Administration (RotterdamUniversity).

Dr. Peter Peverelli

Prof. dr. W.F.C Verschoor Dean

Faculty of Economics and Business Administration www.aureus.nl/arp

Reasons for doing business in Indonesia & Myanmar

• Economic growth • Various promising sectors • Low costs of production and wages • Rise in technology • Decreasing protectionism

What you get

• Tailored research• Extensive full-year preparation • Professionally trained consultants • Access to the university network • Up to date academic knowledge • Opportunities for recruitment