VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Roem Kono encourages the active role of the Indonesian diaspora to improve Indonesia-Bosnia economic relations. The role of the Indonesian diaspora is important to help promote Indonesia and its products. This was said by Ambassador Roem Kono in a discussion entitled ‘Diaspora as Supporting the National Economy’ which took place virtually from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Sarajevo, Tuesday (19/10). He also stated that diaspora becomes a potential marketer for Indonesian products worldwide. Furthermore, the contribution of the Indonesian diaspora is also expected to help the government's efforts to explore international markets for business development.

The role of the diaspora in international economic cooperation was also emphasized by entrepreneur Dadan Irawan Sarpingi who was the speaker in the discussion. He said that the diaspora has three roles as export support, suppliers of domestic needs and investment support. Dadan thinks that diasporas also play an important role as market influencers because they are more familiar with the market in their local country. As the leader of a company engaged in the transportation sector and has penetrated into several countries, Dadan conveys his plan to expand his business to Bosnia. With the better condition of the Covid-19, now the homework is to rebuild the economy.

Meanwhile, President of the Indonesian Diaspora Network (IDN), Global, Kartini Sarsilaningsih welcomed the government's call and the intention of Indonesian businesspeople to cooperate with the diasporas. She thinks that IDN Global has also helped companies and Indonesian Micro Small and Medium Enterprises to market their products and services in several countries. But considering the limited number of diaspora entrepreneurs, Kartini expects efforts from the government, entrepreneurs and business associations to further empower the Indonesian diasporas. For example, Indonesian importers who already have a business license in another country may be able to train the diasporas from the professional instructors, students or housewives to be empowered as their marketing representatives. Kartini also emphasized that the diaspora organization that she leads is open to cooperate with all parties, including local governments who want to promote their local products in the international market.