VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy promoted five Super-Priority Destinations and strengthened awareness of the Wonderful Indonesia brand in the Chinese market at the Indonesia Fair 2024. The event took place in Beijing, China, last Saturday (17 August), while celebrating the 79th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.

Indonesia Fair 2024 is the largest exhibition of Indonesian products and culture in China, organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Beijing.

In this activity themed ‘The Ultimate Melting Pot of Indonesia’, The Ministry along with Rumah Atsiri Indonesia, which is one of Wonderful Indonesia's Co-Branding partners, held workshops on Indonesia's ethnic herb products, distribution of tourism promotional materials, and information services.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, in a statement in Jakarta on Monday (19/08), said that Chinese tourists contributed more than 787 thousand visits in 2023 or an increase of 365.19 per cent compared in 2022.

Meanwhile, Chinese foreign tourist visits in 2024 are expected to increase to reach a target of around 1.5 million visits.

According to Minister Sandiaga Uno, the participation in the Indonesia Fair 2024 activity is expected to encourage an increase in Chinese foreign tourist visits to Indonesia and contribute to the achievement of the target of 14.3 million foreign tourists in 2024.

Meanwhile, Regional Tourism Marketing Director I of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Raden Wisnu Sindhutrisno, said that the the participation in the event aims to increase awareness of Wonderful Indonesia and sustainable tourism among Chinese tourists.

Wisnu also hopes that the participation at Indonesia Fair 2024 can generate interesting media coverage from influencers and Key Opinion Leaders, who attend as exhibitors, including through the Chinese social media platform, Kuaishou.

The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore bestowed the Adinata Award to Professor Tommy Koh in Singapore on Saturday, August 17th. As reported by the official website of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore, Suryopratomo, conveyed the Adinata Award to Professor Tommy Koh for his significant contributions to improving bilateral relations and cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore. Professor Koh actively writes and speaks at various forums on ASEAN and other important issues. Singapore respects and appreciates individuals and organizations that make substantial contributions to the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Singapore. According to Ambassador Suryopratomo, the Adinata Award serves as a reminder to continue contributing and to inspire others to do the same, thereby further strengthening the relationship between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Professor Tommy Koh expressed his highest appreciation for the award given to him. He expressed hope that Indonesia's economy will continue to advance, that peace and harmony will persist, and that Indonesia will remain committed to ASEAN and play a leadership role within the organization. Professor Tommy Koh has been an Ambassador-at-large at the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1990 and is also a Professor of Law at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is well known both domestically and internationally as a skilled negotiator and seasoned diplomat.

Moreover, Tommy Koh played a major role in the establishment of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), alongside former Indonesian Foreign Minister Mochtar Kusumaatmadja. UNCLOS is particularly significant for Indonesia, given its status as an archipelagic nation. Since 2021, the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore has presented the Adinata Award as a form of appreciation to Singaporean entities or figures who have made significant contributions to strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Singapore in various sectors.

Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to Indonesia, Mohamed Trabelsi, in Jakarta, expressed his desire to foster diplomacy between Tunisia and Indonesia, especially through jazz music. This statement was made during the 2024 FreedomsJazz Festival held at Auditorium Abdulrahman Saleh RRI, Central Jakarta, on Saturday (17/8/2024).

Mohamed Trabelsi revealed that he had discussed the potential of collaborating with Tunisia with the Head of Voice of Indonesia RRI, Soleman Yusuf. According to Trabelsi, his association would be very pleased to improve musical ties between Tunisia and Indonesia, be it through exchanging programs, creating a collaboration program for music, and so forth.

Moreover, Mohamed Trabelsi explained that Tunisia has a long history and tradition of jazz music. He added that many famous jazz singers visited Tunisia to perform jazz music, including Dizzy Gillespie and Al Jarreau.

On this occasion, Mohamed Trabelsi also expressed his admiration towards Indra Aziz's jazz performance at the 2024 FreedomsJazz Festival. Indra Aziz performed a song called "A Night in Tunisia", originally sung by Dizzy Gillespie during the Second World War, with a mesmerizing jazz atmosphere.

The Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi, in collaboration with the Honorary Consul of Indonesia in Kampala, Uganda, organized the 39th Trade Expo Indonesia to attract buyers and foster business connections. Indonesian Ambassador to Kenya, Mohamad Hery Saripudin, highlighted that this year's event is particularly special due to the inclusion of a seminar, business meetings, and the promotion of educational cooperation. These elements reflect the embassy's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Uganda.

In a press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi received in Jakarta on Friday (August 16), Ambassador Saripudin emphasized Uganda's significant potential as a trade, investment, and educational partner for Indonesia in the African region.

The Expo also served as a platform to promote higher education in Indonesia. The Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) Yogyakarta participated online, offering scholarship programs and educational partnerships to prospective Ugandan students.

Rendra Kusumawardana, the Economic Functionary at the Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi, noted that most of the products sought by Ugandan entrepreneurs were available at the Trade Expo Indonesia. If Ugandan businesses require additional suitable partners, the Embassy and Expo organizers are prepared to facilitate these connections.

The promotional event aimed to introduce the Expo as Indonesia's largest trade exhibition to Ugandan entrepreneurs, allowing them to explore superior Indonesian products and establish business collaborations.

The Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi also used this opportunity to present prospects for pursuing higher education in Indonesia to Ugandan citizens, whether independently or through scholarship programs.

The TEI event attracted nearly 100 Ugandan entrepreneurs from various sectors, including food and beverages, agriculture, household goods, automotive, and defense industries. According to the Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi, the Expo promotion received a positive response and is expected to strengthen Indonesia-Uganda trade and investment relations while opening new opportunities for both countries in the long term.