Navigating emerging markets: the synergy between strategic intelligence and legal services

Abadi Abi Tisnadisastra
ATD Law, in association with Mori Hamada, Jakarta

Introduction

Emerging markets such as Indonesia present both substantial opportunities and formidable challenges for foreign investors. While the country’s vast market and sustained economic growth attract global interest, its regulatory environment is often marked by overlapping, ambiguous and rapidly changing rules. Navigating this landscape requires more than conventional legal advice; it calls for a nuanced understanding of governmental processes, policy trends and effective engagement with the relevant regulatory authorities.

The origin and mission of the Strategic Intelligence Service

Launched in 2023 and fully operational since 2024, the Strategic Intelligence Service was conceived and developed in response to the persistent difficulties faced by foreign investors in Indonesia. These challenges include inconsistent regulations, limited access to reliable public information and the complexities involved in terms of engaging with government bodies. Recognising these obstacles, the Strategic Intelligence Service was designed to bridge the gap between legal analysis and the practical interpretations of the law adopted by government authorities.

Diverse expertise that provides comprehensive solutions

The Strategic Intelligence Service operates through a multidisciplinary team comprising legal professionals and experts with extensive experience in regard to dealing with the Indonesian government. This in-house capability sets the Strategic Intelligence Service apart from comparable functions in traditional law firms, which often rely on external consultants when dealing with non-legal matters.

Key features of the Strategic Intelligence Service include:

• policy monitoring and analysis: the team systematically tracks and monitors cabinet discussions, ministerial documents and publications and policy indicators in order to anticipate regulatory changes and assess their potential impact on clients;
• cross-ministerial intelligence gathering: by cross-referencing information from multiple ministries, the Strategic Intelligence Service provides clients with a holistic and accurate understanding of the regulatory landscape; and
• targeted government engagement: rather than relying on general help desks within government ministries, the Strategic Intelligence Service identifies the specific directorate or official best positioned to deal with the client’s matter, ensuring more efficient and authoritative responses to questions.

The synergy between legal and strategic intelligence teams

A hallmark of the Strategic Intelligence Service is the close collaboration between lawyers and strategic intelligence professionals. While the legal team interpret the existing laws and regulations, the intelligence team contextualises them within the broader policy landscape. This integrated approach enables the development of tailored strategies for client engagement with government authorities, particularly in situations where regulations are ambiguous or open to interpretation.

Practical impact and case studies

Since its launch, the Strategic Intelligence Service has achieved remarkable success. It was quick to attract investors and demonstrate its significant value. For instance, a company facing difficulties in obtaining a business licence in Indonesia sought assistance from the Strategic Intelligence Service. Following a thorough investigation by our legal team, it was determined that certain requirements were the responsibility of an external third party rather than the company itself. By effectively presenting this finding to the relevant government authorities, we clarified the company’s position, helped to remove the bottleneck and facilitated the making of significant progress towards securing the licence. Such regular and strategic engagement with government authorities not only addresses clients’ needs, but also contributes to enhancing the broader investment climate through proactive participation in policy discussions within the context of the most appropriate legal framework. This approach marks a new frontier in legal business practice, enabled by the Strategic Intelligence Service. The service provides comprehensive support across all stages of the investment process, from initial legal advice to engagement with relevant stakeholders, ultimately helping to turn investment opportunities into tangible outcomes.

Addressing the realities of the Indonesian regulatory environment

Despite Indonesia receiving a relatively favourable score in the World Bank’s B-Ready assessment[1] compared to other countries in the region, investors continue to face significant practical challenges when entering the Indonesian market.

The Strategic Intelligence Service enables investors not only to comply with the current regulations, but also to anticipate and adapt to forthcoming regulatory changes. This proactive approach is essential in a jurisdiction where the regulatory landscape is fluid and often unpredictable.

Innovation and industry recognition

The Strategic Intelligence Service has been shortlisted for the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Asia-Pacific 2025 awards in the Innovation in Business Operations category. This recognition underscores the growing importance of integrating legal services with strategic intelligence in regard to today’s evolving professional services landscape.

Conclusion

The evolution of legal services in emerging markets requires a shift away from traditional models. The Strategic Intelligence Service embodies this transformation by offering a unique blend of legal acumen, policy insight and government relations expertise. For investors seeking to unlock the full potential of the Indonesian market, this integrated approach provides a decisive advantage, ensuring compliance, fostering effective engagement with government authorities and enabling informed, strategic decision-making.

By embracing the synergy of legal and strategic intelligence services, law firms can deliver future-ready solutions that empower clients to navigate the complexities of emerging markets with confidence and precision.