VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

India's mission to ASEAN held a bazaar involving 120 ASEAN-India MSMEs, Sunday (09/10/2022), in Jakarta. This year's bazaar is titled "ASEAN-India Diwali Bazaar and Painting Exhibition".

Indian Ambassador to ASEAN, Jayant N. Khobragade said the bazaar was held as a series of celebrations of 30 years of ASEAN-India friendship. Various arts and cultural events also enliven the celebration, both in India and in ASEAN countries.

“We have reached 30 years of relationship together. So, to celebrate ASEAN-India friendship, we are holding a number of activities here," said Jayant.

Not only that, but his party also held natural and substantive festivals, such as today's bazaar festival. In addition to organizing an artist camp, artists from their 10 ASEAN member countries will go to India to paint with local artists.

“Then, we will hold an exhibition in Indonesia at the beginning of next year. There is also a music festival in India where bands from each of their ASEAN member countries will go there,” he added.

Organizing a start-up festival involving dozens of Indian and ASEAN start-up companies in Bogor next month. It will also celebrate the three decades of friendly relations between the two regions.

“We will start the festival from 27 to 30 October in Bogor, which will present 50 entrepreneurs from India and 20 from ASEAN member countries. You will see right away they will show their startup," he explained.

On the same occasion, Liuli's Founder, Ida, joined the Diwali Bazaar for the first time. He hopes to market various products made from woven bags that he processes.

“I want to be better known outside the Indonesian community, to brand my products, and get a wider network. Not yet officially (exported), but many of my buyers are from the United States, Melbourne (Australia), and Germany,” said Ida

Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Economic Community, Satvinder Singh, stated that the Diwali Bazaar is a testament to India's commitment as a dialogue partner. He assessed that the event could strengthen friendly ties with ASEAN.

“This is the collective spirit under the ASEAN-India action plan to implement for peace, progress, and mutual prosperity. This bazaar promotes many SMEs and Medium Enterprises from ASEAN and India,” said Satvinder Singh. (RRI)