VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that  the total trade value between Indonesia and Sweden throughout 2021 increased by 22 percent, compared to 2020,  with the strengthening of the value of exports of Indonesia to Sweden by US $251.9 million or around Rp3.6 trillion or an increase of 31.6 percent.  Indonesian Ambassador to Sweden, Kamparadipta Isnomo in a written statement to the Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm on Friday (4/2) stated that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought its own challenges in fostering economic relations among countries, including Indonesia and Sweden.

Besides,  Ambassador Kamapradipta also said  that by 2021, the total trade value and the value of Indonesia's exports to Sweden were the highest in the Nordic region. The statement also noted that the increase in the value of Sweden's exports and investment to Indonesia cannot be separated from the bilateral economic relations that have been fostered by both countries. Throughout 2021, the Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm reported that it is actively approaching many groups in Sweden both government and business sides and facilitating meetings between companies from  both countries.

Based on data from the International Trade Center (ITC), Indonesia exported five major commodities to Sweden in 2021. These goods are animal or vegetable fats, knitted clothing items, vehicles other than  tram carriages, footwear as well as non-woven clothing items.  Along with the increase in Indonesia's exports to Sweden, the value of Sweden's inbound investment to Indonesia is also growing. Sweden's main investment in Indonesia is in the health sector, transportation,information technology, textiles, chemical products ,as well as packaged food and beverage products.

Moreover, Ambassador Kamapradipta hopes that in 2022, the Indonesian Embassy can realize a lot of  collaborations that have been explored over the last two years,  including in the energy, transportation and health sectors. Furthermore, the Indonesian Embassy will also encourage collaboration with Sweden in the success of Indonesia's G20 presidency, and the development of the new capital, Nusantara.

Indonesian Embassy in Canberra Supports Indonesian Language Education in Australia

The Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, along with an Indonesian retail bookstore, provided teaching materials for Indonesian Language teachers in Australia. They made a digital Smart Library. In a written statement received in Jakarta on Friday (4/2), the cooperation signing was done by Indonesian Embassy Canberra Education and Culture Attache, Mukhamad Najib and Gramedia Marketing & Merchandising Director, Hadi Prayitno.

The smart library has books in Indonesian that can be used as a material by teachers and students. Mukhamad Najib said that the smart library has been available since 2021. However, the use was not optimal, because of limited books.

Najib further said that considering the enthusiasm of the teachers, the Indonesian Embassy is committed to increasing the number of books and titles so that they can be used by more learning levels of Indonesian language in Australia. He hoped the teachers could have more reading materials. As a result, the learning quality in class improves.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Consul General in Sydney, Vedi Kurnia Buana said that Australia has more Indonesian language learners outside Indonesia. He hoped that the Smart Library can enhance the Australian students' interest to learn the Indonesian language.

Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Albania and North Macedonia, Iwan Bogananta at the end of last year collaborated with a culinary expert, William Wongso to introduce Indonesian culinary culture and richness through the 'Rendang Goes to Europe' program. Ambassador Iwan also succeeded in realizing an investment agreement with Bella Ltd, a leading company in Bulgaria to distribute Rendang to other regions in Europe with an investment worth US$ 3 million.

On February 3, 2022, Ambassador Iwan Bogananta visited Botevgrad, a city in western Bulgaria about 50 kilometers from the capital, Sofia. It is planned to build a Rendang factory area to approach market access, including Serbia, Turkey and Greece.

Ambassador Iwan also stated that this effort is a form of support for the 'Indonesia Spice Up The World' program, which was launched by President Joko Widodo. In his speech when launching the program some time ago, President Joko Widodo was determined to restore the glory of Indonesian spices, which has been so popular in the world since centuries ago. According to the President, the superiority of Indonesian spices must continue to be promoted throughout the world.

After the success of the Rendang, in the future, cooperation of other Indonesian potential products will be developed.  

Amid the increasingly incessant emergence of various kinds of electric vehicle (EV) innovations, especially those of the motorcycle type, electric motorcycles produced locally by domestic innovators have re-emerged. It is Nusa Khatulistiwa, an electric motorbike with a sturdy form presented by Nusa Motors based in the Kebon Jeruk area, West Jakarta. This electric motor offers a different appearance and speed from the local electric motors of its predecessors. Nusa was founded by two of its founders, namely Domex Mandey who occupies the position of CEO and Tomi Gunawan as Chief Innovation Officer. Domex Mandey believes Motor Nusa will become a new point for the automotive industry. Currently, it is seeking funding from venture capital companies for further development.

Meanwhile, Tomi Gunawan, Chief Innovation Officer, said that the limitations make him more passionate to create; maybe now it doesn't make it the fastest or cheapest, but his side is sure to be more enthusiastic to develop an innovative product that was previously impossible to be possible. Currently, Motor Nusa Khatulistiwa is targeting the motor sport segment. Don't be surprised if you see it looks dashing like a big motorbike. This motorbike also comes in two versions, namely the Basic variant which has a maximum speed of 150 km/hour, and the TooFast variant which can be driven up to a speed of 200 km/hour. The engine embedded in the Basic variant is supported by a 10 kWh lithium-ion cell battery and is capable of completing a distance of up to 180 kilometers on a single charge. Meanwhile, the TooFast variant is equipped with a 14 kWh lithium-ion cell battery which makes it capable of driving up to 250 kilometers on a single charge.

The process of developing and completing the Nusa Khatulistiwa motorbike took two years. In its cultivation, they fully employ domestic workers. Nusa Equator itself is claimed to be the fastest electric motorbike in the Southeast Asia region for now. Regarding the purchase process, electric motorcycle products targeting the premium market can be carried out starting in February 2022. Nusa Khatulistiwa is expected to become a new point for the automotive industry that can go global. For the price of Nusa Khatulistiwa, the Basic variant is offered at Rp140 million and TooFast is priced at Rp180 million. Manufacturers also offer full customization for body color, motorcycle seats, speed, battery, brakes, and wheels.