The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut has acknowledged its continued support for trade cooperation improvement between Indonesia and Lebanon. Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon Hajriyanto Y Thohari gave the Primaduta Award to Lebanese businessman and importer, George R Fattouh. The award was given for his service in helping market Indonesian products in Paris from the Middle East. The award was given at a ceremony at the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, Thursday (11/1) Fatough, is the owner of George R. Fattouh S.A.L, a business that has been importing Indonesian products since the 1980s. It has a range of products, including: palm oil and its derivatives, oil and fats (including cocoa butter substitute, fat spread, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, and lauric confectionery fats), cardboard, stationary, and school equipment. Some Indonesian products are now even available at famous retail networks, such as Spinney’s and Carrefour. In 2022, the value imported by George R. Fattough S.A.L of Indonesian products, was 981.3 million USD. This was a 149.5 million USD increase when compared to 2021. Fattouh said Indonesian products are known for their quality and are in high demand in Lebanese markets. However, he said, the challenge now is increasing freight costs due to security challenges in the region.
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Listeners, a number of delicious dishes were served to the guests of Dhaup Ageng Pura Pakualaman Yogyakarta, at the wedding reception of the youngest son of K.G.P.A.A. Paku Alam X, namely B.P.H. Kusumo Kuntonugroho with Laily Annisa Kusumastuti which was held on January 10, 2024.Head of the Customs and Accommodation Division, Dhaup Ageng Pura Pakualaman, KRT Radyo Wisroyo said that the menu served to guests was quite varied. These menus are typical menus prepared by Pakualaman Pura, Indonesian menus and western food menus were also available. All invited guests including VIP and VVIP guests got the same menu. The first menu served to welcome guests, namely two types of welcome drink, namely lime lemongrass and ginger drink with lime. The welcome drink was given when guests sat down and watched the Bedhaya Sidamukti and Bedhaya Kakung Indrawidagda dance performances. Next, they gotsnacks for appetizer such as croquettes and other light snacks. There is a snack that is considered quite special and rare called Garulina. Garulina was the opening snack at the Pahargyan Dhaup Ageng Pakualaman lunch on the first day. Garulina has been around since the era before Indonesian independence. Garulina is actually not a typical Central Javanese food. It looks like the Lapis Legit layered cake, but there is something different, because there is a special layer like vla which is made from fresh milk, eggs and sugar. To get this sweet snack, Pakulaman Temple has to place a special order from the third generation of makers who have been pioneering since the 1950s. In Jogja, Garulina is very difficult to find and is considered rare because it is not sold every day.
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students of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences at Brawijaya University consisting of Indri Dwi Fitria, Rani Elvira, Jamiilah Zahrotul Jannah, Kevin, and Alfain Homis Fadil were inspired to make a body lotion that can prevent Covid-19. They made the body lotion because it was inspired by the widespread use of hand sanitizer which actually causes dehydration of the skin so that it becomes dry. According to the students, body lotion is still the solution for most people because it has benefits to moisturize and nourish the skin. However, the use of synthetic ingredients, such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and parabens in body lotions has a negative effect in long-term use and has been proven to be toxic and carcinogenic. To overcome this problem, the five students finally made a body lotion by utilizing the flavonoid content in Moringa leaves and the skin collagen of Catfish named MORISTIN. This innovation succeeded in obtaining research funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia in the 2021 Entrepreneurship Student Creativity Week.
Indri Dwi Fitria explained that the content of Moringa leaves, such as apiin, epicatechin and hesperetin, which has a good affinity for the active side of ACE2 (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2), can inhibit the SARS-Cov-2 interaction process. In addition, the collagen from catfish skin can be used to prevent premature aging, prevent wrinkles, moisturize the skin and increase skin elasticity. MORISTIN is a skin care product that is safe, healthy and it provides more protection whithout causing side effects when used regularly.
MORISTIN is formulated as an antiseptic body lotion that is rich in antioxidants; it enables the skin to be moist and healthy, protects from UV rays and avoids the threat of bacteria and viruses. MORISTIN comes in three variants, including Orange Fresh, Choco Melt, and Vanilla Sweet which are packaged in two sizes, 250 ml and 60 ml. MORISTIN is now spread commercially in online stores and also present on the active Instagram page (@moristin.id) so that buyers can find out the latest info on the product. Indri hopes that with the presence of this MORISTIN body lotion product, it can attract people's interest to continue to apply health protocols and take care of themselves amid the Covid-19 pandemic without having to worry about side effects from using body lotion products regularly.
Indonesia and Malaysia strengthen cooperation at the border. The cooperation is expected to increase security in both regions. This was revealed by Danrem 121/Abw Brigadier General Ronny when receiving a working visit from Malaysia Military Liaison Officer (MMLO), Major Arif who is a new officer in Sintang, West Kalimantan. The visit was made to establish friendship and cooperation between the Indonesian Military (TNI) in the West Kalimantan region and the Royal Malaysian Army. The existence of MMLO in Sintang is a liaison between Indonesian Armed Forces -TNI and the Royal Malaysian Army so that the cooperation that has been built so far can be even better.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto emphasized the need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with the Sub-Regional Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) to overcome the economic and health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Airlangga's statement was delivered while leading the Indonesian Delegation at the 27th IMT-GT Ministerial Meeting which was held virtually on Friday (6/8). The meeting was attended by Minister of the Prime Minister (Economics) of Malaysia, YB Dato' Sri Mustapa Bin Mohamed, Minister of Finance of Thailand, Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Ahmed M. Saeed, and Secretary General of the ASEAN Secretariat, Dato' Lim Jock Hoi. Minister Airlangga added that his side and the Ministers of Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to ensure that all targets in the IMT-GT cooperation can be achieved and provide benefits to the community.
The Indonesian Embassy in Cairo tries to increase Indonesian coffee exports to Egypt through a “Coffee Diplomacy” promotion program in four provinces of Egypt. The embassy in its written statement on Saturday (31/7) stated that the Coffee Diplomacy activity is aimed at fostering relations and maintaining the loyalty of Egyptian importers to Indonesian coffee. It hopes that Indonesia's coffee imports will increase, both in quantity and variety, such as Robusta and Arabica. Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt, Lutfi Rauf, while visiting the Zahret El Bon Brazili coffee factory in Sharqiya Province on Thursday (29/7) explained that coffee is increasingly loved in Egypt. Therefore, it needs to intensify coffee plantations in Indonesia, which can produce selected and quality coffee beans .
According to Chairman of Zahret El Bon Brazili, Hassan Fawzy, he has carried out coffee business with Indonesia since 1985. The coffee business that he leads has been able to serve the coffee market in Egypt nationally and internationally. He expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo that continuously fosters and supports coffee transactions with Indonesia. Indonesian representatives in Cairo carry out intensive guidance to coffee companies in Egypt in a bid to strengthen friendly relations and closer cooperation from year to year. Coffee Diplomacy was continued by visiting the Vacakis coffee factory in the Alexandria area on Friday (30/7).
Several coffee companies, such as Bayt El Bon in Cairo, Knuz El Bon in Giza Province, Zahret El Bon Brazili, and Vacakis Coffee, are currently expanding to increase the processing capacity of coffee imported from Indonesia. Based on the Egypt's Central Agency for Mobilization and Public Statistics ,CAPMAS, Indonesia's coffee exports with the HS code 0901 to Egypt in the January-March 2021 period, still ranks first with a value of US$18.16 million or around Rp262.2 billion or up 6.56 percent from the same period in 2020.
Meanwhile, based on the report from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency, in the January-May 2021 period, Indonesian coffee exports to Egypt reached US$31.22 million or around Rp450.8 billion or it rose 38.74 percent compared to the same period in 2020.
A proud achievement was made by Indonesian athletes at the Tokyo Olympics. Not only medals, but also bicycles made in Indonesia make the Indonesian public proud because the quality of the bikes is trusted by world athletes. Thrill bikes made by PT Indonesia Bike Works are used for the BMX number of bicycle racing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. PT Indonesia Bike Works is a company located in Gresik, East Java. This bicycle made by Gresik was apparently used at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Two Thrill BMX Athletes representing France and Latvia who competed in the Women's BMX Race at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics used thrill bikes made in Indonesia. Both athletes are national BMX champions in their respective countries. Vineta is a UCI ranked BMX rider fourth in the world as of June 2021. He is the only representative from Latvia to participate in the BMX Race Women Elite, accompanying Helvijs Babris for the same category in Men Elite. Meanwhile, the representative from France, Etienne is ranked 12th in the world as of June 2021. This 23-year-old racer has won the World Championship BMX Race championship title.
Both rode bicycles whose brand is the same, namely Thrill Bicycle. More precisely, they will be using Thrill bikes with the Thrill Havoc series. This series itself has succeeded in becoming a capable fighting machine for BMX Race riders. PT Indonesia Bike Works was founded in 2012 to meet the demand for mid-high end bicycles. It carries its own brands, namely Thrill and Tabibitho.
A number of Padjadjaran University students are trying to help reduce a number of smokers who are addicted to smoking in Indonesia. The effort is in the form of candy innovations/lozenges. If smokers enjoy the candy, they can get rid of smoking addiction. The students are Rifky Adhia Pratama (Chemistry), Tiara Zahra Shafira (Accounting), Endang Juliansyah (Chemistry), Iis Kurniasih (Chemistry), and Kevin Reza Reynantha (Business Administration) as well as supervisor lecturer Rani Maharani, PhD. This team succeeded in making candy that contains cytisine, or a natural compound that can reduce nicotine addiction in smokers. According to Rifky, the innovation is based on the results of the team's search which found that Indonesia's smoking prevalence rate ranks seventh in the world with a smoking rate of 39.90 percent. The team is also trying to find a solution to reduce the death rate due to smoking in Indonesia. One of them is by looking for natural compounds that can reduce nicotine addiction in the brain. From the search results, it was found that the natural compound cytisine has the ability to bioactivate to prevent the binding of nicotine to receptors in the brain.
Rifky explained that nicotine is an additive that is able to bind to receptors in the brain. The impact of the binding of nicotine to the receptor is to cause an opiate effect. Based on the results of existing studies, cytisine has the ability to bind to receptors in the brain seven times stronger than nicotine. Thus, there is more cytisine bound in the brain than nicotine; it will be able to reduce the effects of smoking addiction in smokers. Cytisine compound itself is already popular in European continent as a therapy to reduce cigarette addiction. In fact, this compound has been organically synthesized and widely traded in tablet form. Unfortunately, it is still not popular in Indonesia. Rifky further explained that the team looked for natural ingredients containing cytisine compounds. Assisted by a supervisor, the team found research results that cytisine extract could be obtained from the genus Laburnum or golden chain tree in sufficient quantities.
Then, the team had the idea to formulate the cytisine into candy or lozenges. The selection of lozenges was based on the results of a study describing the side effects of cytisine tablets sold in Europe. The effects felt by consumers when taking these tablets are nausea and the feeling of wanting to vomit. Rifky also pointed out that the team chose the type of lozenges with a chewy texture (chiwi) rather than a solid crystal texture. To avoid nausea, the team also combined it with fruit flavors. It aims to increase sensation in the mouth, so the smokers can have a psychological alternative in the mouth that is able to divert activity in the mouth from the desire to smoke. The lozenges product is given the name "Kokro'' which is a syllable reversal of the morpheme “Rokok” or in English means "cigarette". Rifky explained that changing the syllables in cigarettes to "Kokro" has the hope that this product will be able to restore human health to how it used to be before smoking addiction. The cytisine content in Kokro is adjusted to the content in cytisine tablets sold in Europe, which is 1.5 milligrams. Therefore, the consumption of "Kokro" has its own dose. In addition, Kokro can also be consumed by non-smokers or passive smokers, mainly to avoid nicotine in the body. The "Kokro" product was developed as a form of implementation of the Student Creativity Program. This product was successfully funded by the Directorate General of Higher Education for the category of Student Creativity Program - Entrepreneurship. The plan for candy "Kokro" will be launched in early August.
As many as 266 Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) participated in an outreach vaccination acceleration program of Covid-19 which was organized by the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) Hong Kong in collaboration with the Hong Kong Center for Health Protection (CHP) on Sunday (01/8). This collaboration initiative is to protect the migrant workers from the threat of the Covid-19. This is in line with the encouragement of the Indonesian government that by participating in the vaccination program, it can maintain people’s health and environment and it can also break the chain of the Covid-19 transmission.
Indonesian Consul General in Hong Kong, Ricky Suhendar explained that health is an asset that must be maintained, particularly when the people work overseas. So, it is important for all Indonesian Migrant Workers in Hong Kong to get vaccinated. Consul General Ricky also conveyed to the Labor Department in order to always urge the employers so that they provide adequate rest time for workers after receiving the vaccine.
The government of Hong Kong gave special attention for the Outreach Vaccination program, including the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr. Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, JP and Dr LAW Chi-kwong, Secretary for Labor and Welfare who also attended the vaccination program. It is also the beginning of a series of commemorations of the 76th Indonesian Independence Day in Hong Kong. In line with the theme of Indonesia's 76th Anniversary of "Indonesia Resilient, Indonesia Grows", PMI in Hong Kong is expected to have resilience so that they can continuously work for the development of Indonesia.
The Indonesian Embassy in Cairo tries to increase Indonesian coffee exports to Egypt through the "Coffee Diplomacy" promotion program in four provinces in the country. In a written statement on Saturday (31/7), the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo explained that the "Coffee Diplomacy" activity was aimed at fostering relationships and maintaining the loyalty of Egyptian importers to Indonesian coffee. It is hoped that Indonesian coffee imports will increase, both in terms of quantity and type or varieties, such as Robusta and Arabica.
The demand for coffee, which is increasingly in demand and its market increasing in Egypt, of course, also needs to be accompanied by efforts to intensify coffee plantations in Indonesia which can produce selected and quality coffee beans. This was stated by Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt, Lutfi Rauf while visiting the Zahret El Bon Brazili Coffee Factory in Sharqiya Province last Thursday (29/7). The factory can process an average of 9 to 11 containers of coffee beans from Indonesia every month. The “Coffee Diplomacy” activity continued by visiting the Vacakis Coffee Factory in the Alexandria area on Friday (30/7).
Laila Karam, owner of the Vacakis Coffee Factory explained that her company imports and processes 90 percent of its coffee beans from Indonesia to meet the needs of Egyptians. The average production of Vacakis sachet coffee can reach 2 tons per day or 50-60 tons per month. The growth trend of coffee bean consumption in Egypt is predicted to continue to increase during 2021, triggered by increased industrial activity and creativity in processing Indonesian coffee in Egypt during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to a report from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency, in the January-May 2021 period, Indonesian coffee exports to Egypt reached US$31.22 million dollars or around Rp450.8 billion. This number is up 38.74 percent compared to the same period in 2020.
Over the past four years, the number of accidents and deaths on the hiking trail has been increasing. In fact, it is frequent for the rescue team to find the location of the climbing victims. To overcome these problems, five students of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) initiated the SACKER, Smart Jacket for Hiker. Talia Kamil, the team leader revealed that the SACKER is a jacket equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) component and a pulse sensor that functions to detect the location and condition of the climbers. The two components were chosen with the aim of minimizing search time in case of missing climbers.
Talia added that the way the GPS component on the SACKER works is that a sender of location signals from climbers. While the pulse sensor component itself is a heart rate sensor that is connected to an indicator light to determine the condition of the climber's heart rate. The light will turn on if the climber's heart rate is above 90bpm. In addition to knowing each other's condition, Talia added, the light is also useful to facilitate the search for climbing victims when they get lost, even at night. Later, data on the location and condition of climbers will be sent with a communication module which will be displayed on the monitor at the registration post. According to Talia, previously there have been similar ideas related to this research, including life vests and location tracking gloves. The difference is that the innovation is equipped with GPS and pulse sensors which are then packaged in a jacket.
Thanks to this brilliant idea, their team won a silver medal in the International Invention Competition for Young Moslem Scientists (IICYMS) 2021 by carryinyg the title SACKER (Smart Jacket for Hiker): GPS and Pulse Sensor – Based Smart Jacket to Monitoring Track and Condition of Hiker.
The Indonesian Embassy in Bern held again the "Remarkable Indonesia Fair" to promote Indonesian cultural products and arts in Pratteln, Switzerland on 24 until 25 July 2021. The embassy stated that the event was attended by thousands of visitors in Switzerland who wanted to enjoy summer bazaars, Indonesian culinary and products as well as performances of Indonesian traditional arts and dances. While starting the relaxation of social restrictions by the Swiss government in June, the event was held in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Bern, the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, Verein Indonesia-Schweiz, and Sinar Indonesia GmbH. The "Remarkable Indonesia Fair" is a part of the promotion effort of trade, tourism and investment in Indonesia for people in Switzerland.
Indonesian Ambassador to Switzerland, Muliaman Hadad along with Mayor of Pratteln, Stephan Burgunder opened the event officially. Ambassador Muliaman explained that the opportunity for promotion is now opened again after the government of Switzerland provided relaxation for community activities. The "Remarkable Indonesia Fair" was carried out by applying health protocols based on the government of Switzerland regulations. Since June 26, the Swiss government has begun to relax policies, including allowing events on a larger scale.
The "Remarkable Indonesia Fair" activity exhibited various Indonesian outlets/pavilions with food and beverage categories as well as non-food categories. At the event, visitors were able to enjoy Indonesian cuisine and coffee from various regions in Indonesia. They were also able to look at Indonesian traditional dance performances, such as the North Sumatra Tortor dance, Yogyakarta Golek classical dance, Balinese Pajegan mask dance, West Kalimantan Dayak dance, West Sumatra plate dance and Angklung musical instrument games. Furthermore, there was a video screening about Indonesian tourism and trade. Indonesia-Switzerland relations have been improving not only between governments but also among business people and people-to-people contacts. It is hoped that the two countries’ relations will continuously get better after all parties have ratified the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement among Indonesia and the countries of the European Free Trade Association (Indonesia-EFTA CEPA).
To welcome the 76th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesian people in the United States crossed the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco City on July 24. As many as one hundred participants from several major cities in the U.S., such as Houston, Los Angeles and cities around San Francisco, such as Richmond, Palo Alto, West Covina, were enthusiastic in the joint cycling activity organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in San Francisco.
With the spirit of "Resilient Indonesia, Growing Indonesia" which is the theme of Indonesia's 76th Anniversary, the participants could choose the August 17 route, namely cycling for a distance of 17 miles (23 km) or Maju Tak Gentar route, which is cycling for 34 miles (50 km). They eagerly explored the uphill and challenging cities of San Francisco, Sausalito and Tiburon. The participants on the August 17 route crossed the Golden Gate bridge to the town of Mill Valey and returned by Sausalito ferry to San Francisco. Meanwhile, the participants of the Maju Tak Gentar route covered a distance of 34 miles with a bicycle path that crossed the hills up and down with strong wind gusts along the bay.
The activity was held in collaboration with the Gowes Indo-SF and Gowes Indo-US and Gowes Merdeka communities. This event is the first major bicycle sport event in the U.S. which was held for the Indonesian people in commemoration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. The Indonesian Consul General in San Francisco, Simon D.I Soekarno expressed his appreciation for the enthusiasm of the Indonesian riding community in the U.S., which reflects the cohesiveness of the Indonesian people in the country.
In addition to welcoming the 76th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, this event was also carried out to strengthen the sense of unity and integrity among the Indonesian people. Simon D.I. Soekarno also invited the community and the Indonesian Diasporas to jointly carry out activities that could promote Indonesia in the United States.
In addition, as a form of concern for the situation in Indonesia, the participants were also invited to lend a hand to help deal with Covid-19 in Indonesia through a fundraising activity by the Gowes community which was held on July 25, 2021. During the activity, even though the pandemic situation in the United States had improved, the participants were still asked to apply health protocols, namely wearing masks and keeping a distance.