VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Hong Kong helps expand export opportunities for products of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Bali because of the large market potential both in terms of consumers and the convenience of import duties. Trade Consul of the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong Ayu Wulan Sagita, during the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) One Bali discussion related to MSME exports in Denpasar, Tuesday (15/7/2024), said one of the marketing tricks is through packaging design because the Hong Kong market segmentation is very visual. She advised 127 MSME owners in Bali who attended the discussion forum to market products that have uniqueness or are distinct from other products. She gave an example of luwak coffee products that are expected to highlight exotic coffee products if packaged attractively.

On that occasion, she also revealed the increasing export potential to Hong Kong due to the absence of tariff duty for imports or exports. She mentioned that there are only four products subject to excise, namely liquor with alcohol concentration above 30 percent, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil, and methyl alcohol.

As for transshipment cargo, it is exempt from import and export licensing requirements as long as shipping companies, airlines, and transport companies are registered with the Department of Trade and Industry. There are also 10 main export commodities to Hong Kong, namely coal, jewelry, gemstones, precious metals, cigarettes and processed tobacco, electronics, footwear, textile products, processed fish, edible-nest swiftlet, and processed food and beverages.

In addition, Indonesian MSMEs that are exporters also have diverse market segmentation that need adjustments according to the target market. The target consumers are local residents, tourists, and the Indonesian diaspora. There are around 7.5 million Hong Kong residents in 2023, 100 percent of whom live in urban areas with a high per capita income of 50,889 US dollars, and there are 34 million tourists in 2023. Meanwhile, the number of Indonesian diaspora reached 168 thousand in 2023, 95 percent of whom worked in the informal sector or as domestic assistants.

Not only that, the internet penetration rate of the local community is also relatively high, reaching 93 percent, which enables access to information. Additionally, more than 98 percent of the local products are re-exported, considering that Hong Kong is also known to be the center of international trade.

Makassar International Eight Festival & Forum (F8 Makassar), one of the leading tourism and creative economy events in Makassar City, will be held again from July 24 to 28, 2024, at Anjungan Pantai Losari Makassar with the theme "Unity."

The "Unity" theme is a continuation of last year's theme, "The Next Gen Treasure," which explains that the various languages, cultures, and differences owned by various ethnic groups have been united at F8 Makassar.

F8 Makassar was initiated by artists and cultural experts together with the Makassar City Government in 2015, aiming to change and strengthen the image of Makassar City through cultural channels. This event officially began in 2016 and has since been included in the wonderful event and is now part of the Top 10 Karisma Event Nusantara.

Throughout its journey, F8 Makassar has proven capable of raising the image and brand awareness of Makassar City in the tourism sector. Last year, 471 thousand people were recorded during the five-day event, and this year’s target is between 500 thousand and 600 thousand. Last year’s transactions totaled Rp27 billion, and this year all sectors in F8 are expected to reach a target of Rp30 billion.

President Director of PT Festival Delapan Indonesia, Sofyan Setiawan, explained that there are several innovations presented in the organization of F8 Makassar this year. One of them is that on the second day of the event, there will be treats that truly reflect the city of Makassar in five stage zones. The treats will reflect all creative industries, ranging from music, film, fashion, folks, and others who will perform simultaneously on the stages prepared.

This year, F8 Makassar will also digitize the works of creative actors from the film and fusion music subsectors, facilitating the registration of Intellectual Property Rights and incorporating them into the prepared platform. As before, F8 also provides a special stage for students in Makassar to perform.

This year, 1000 dancers will give their best performances at the opening and closing of F8. At the opening, they will perform a colossal dance called "Harmony of the Archipelago." The dance depicts the diversity of Indonesia, different yet still in harmonious unity. While at the closing, they will dance "Bunga Rampai Makassar," which is an expression of the daily life of the community in building a good Makassar for all.

The Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok supported the event "Sales Mission Thailand 2024" at Amara Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, on July 9. The event was organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, in collaboration with Indonesia's national airline Garuda Indonesia.

As quoted by the official statement of the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok on Monday (16/7/2024), the event aimed to market Indonesian tourism products after the Covid-19 pandemic to tourism players in Thailand, strengthen business networks, and increase sales of tour packages to Indonesia. Additionally, this activity aimed to provide the latest information on tourism developments in Indonesia, especially related to accessibility and infrastructure along with tourism products.

The "Sales Mission Thailand 2024" began with the performance of the "Rama Ngalana" Dance. After being officially opened by the Deputy Chief Representative of Indonesia in Bangkok, Fuad Adriansyah, the event continued with a presentation on the latest Indonesian tourism by the Head of Delegation of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Deni Priadi, and a presentation on Garuda Indonesia's connectivity by the Bangkok Branch Manager of Garuda Indonesia, Khun Riana Aplika.

Moreover, the core of "Sales Mission Thailand 2024" was the meeting between sellers and buyers. At least 16 Indonesian travel agents sold various tour packages to Indonesia to 56 Thai travel agents and tour operators. The buyers will then sell the Indonesian tour packages back to the Thai people or the international community in Thailand. According to the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, the event was enthusiastically attended by business people from both countries.

Consul General of Davao City, Agus Trenggono opened a series of activities themed "Improving the Quality of Nationality Insight and Population Administration and Children of Indonesian Descendants in Mindanao." On that occasion, Trenggono said that the Indonesian community in Mindanao, the Philippines, especially children, deserve access to quality education so that they grow into responsible and knowledgeable citizens. He also viewed that it is the duty of the government to ensure that they receive the best educational opportunities.

This activity is an initiative of the Consulate General in Davao City and was held a back-to-back way in 4 areas of Davao. They are Pagang, Lainsasi, Tupi, and Balunto, General Santos City from July 10 to 12, 2024.

Consul General Agus Trenggono also emphasized the importance of providing quality education to Indonesian citizens living in Mindanao. In his speech, he emphasized the important role of education in shaping the future of the younger generation and strengthening their sense of nationhood.

In addition, the importance of the Indonesian Basic Knowledge Course in the Indonesian enclaves in Mindanao was explained to motivate people of Indonesian descent, provide opportunities to get to know Indonesia better, and learn the Indonesian language. This activity also opens opportunities for children of Indonesian descent in these pockets of Indonesian citizens to enter the Indonesian School Davao.

On the occasion, some alumni of the Indonesian School Davao gave testimonies about life in Davao City. They shared the positive experiences and benefits they gained while studying at the school, which has helped them in their academic achievements and character development.

At the end of the event, it was announced that the Consulate General in Davao City will facilitate the pick-up of new and old students at two points, namely Lainsasi and General Santos City on July 13, 2024. This initiative is part of the Consulate General's ongoing efforts to support capacity building, to foster, and to enhance the national insight of the Indonesian community in the accredited areas.