Monocle is in Jakarta this week for The Chiefs, our annual business-and-leadership conference. Our editors, correspondents, photographers and radio producers have fanned out across the Indonesian capital to visit art fairs, furniture showrooms, busy restaurants and bustling cocktail bars. On Wednesday, Monocle’s editor in chief, Andrew Tuck, and I had a breakfast meeting at City Hall with Pramono “Pram” Anung, who has been the governor of the country’s biggest city since February. The former mining executive-turned-politician had one word for foreign investors and international businesses looking to invest in Jakarta: transparency. The 61-year-old is determined to slash bureaucracy, tackle corruption and make it easier to get projects off the ground. It’s well-worn territory and there’s certainly a lot to do. But Pramono’s reputation and no-nonsense demeanour are reasons for optimism.

A business-friendly provincial government will be welcome news for the executives and entrepreneurs joining us today for the fourth edition of The Chiefs, which is our first in Southeast Asia. Two-thirds of our speakers are from the rapidly growing region. Indonesia’s domestic market will be a big talking point onstage, just as it is in many boardrooms across the continent. Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate, Vingroup, recently introduced its turquoise electric taxis to Jakarta. Meanwhile, Singapore-based ride-hailing and delivery app Grab is poised to acquire its Indonesian equivalent, GoJek. Residents might not be happy at the sight of their national technology champion being gobbled up by a neighbour but the multibillion-dollar merger will make it easier to move around and allow it to take on global giants from the US and China.

The next step for Jakarta is to put itself on the tourist map. As our editors have discovered, culture, design and hospitality are booming – and people here know how to party. Jakarta might be one of the world’s most underrated capitals. Pramono wants his city to be a “verandah”, a hub for all of southeast Asia. I would argue that it already is. Some of the shadier corners just need a good sweep – and the governor could be the man to do it.

Chambers is Monocle’s Asia editor. To hear our interview with governor Pramono Anung, as well as highlights from the conference so far, tune in to ‘The Globalist’ on Monocle Radio