VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia and Turkey have been strategic partners since 2011. The two countries have close relations in various fields, not only strong bilateral cooperation but also collaborating in various organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), G20, Mexico, Indonesia, Korea , Turkey and Australia (MIKTA) cooperation, and ASEAN. This was conveyed by Turkish Ambassador to Indonesia Mahmud Erol Kılıç in his remarks at the 96th Turkish National Day reception in Jakarta, Tuesday night (29/10). Considering the enormous potential of the two countries, Mahmud Erol Kılıç believes Indonesia and Turkey have plenty of room to expand relations especially in trade and industry.

"Given the high potentials of Turkey and Indonesia, as two fast developing countries, we believe that there is much room for further development of our brotherly relations, especially in the fields of trade and the fast industry. Indonesia is one of the largest trade partners of Turkey in the Asia Pacific region. This showed intensify or efforts to achieve the common target of 10 billion dollars bilateral trade volume by the year 2023," said Mahmud Erol Kilic.

Turkish Ambassador Mahmud Erol Kılıç added that relations between Indonesia and Turkey had been ongoing since the 16th century in the era of the Ottoman Empire. In the 19th century, Turkey had its Consulate General in Batavia or Jakarta. Indonesia and Turkey will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2020. (VOI / AHM)

Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), Rachmat Gobel, conveyed the 5 strengths of cooperation that Indonesia and Turkey have in establishing bilateral relations. This was conveyed by Rachmat Gobel in his speech representing the Indonesian government at the 96th Turkish National Day reception in Jakarta, Tuesday night (29/10). Rachmat Gobel said the strengths were strategic industries, trade, investment, tourism and education. In the field of strategic industries, Rachmat Gobel said that Indonesia and Turkey jointly produce Harimau Medium Tanks. While in the field of trade, the trade value between Indonesia and Turkey reached 1.79 billion US dollars in 2018, an increase of 4.7 percent compared to 2017. Gobel added, the two countries must work even harder to reach the target of 10 billion US Dollars.

"Our trade value has reached 1.79 billion US dollar in 2018, an increase of 4.7% compared to 2017. We need to work even harder to achieve the target of 10 billion US dollar in 2023 which was set by our two leaders in Ankara in 2017. For the purpose, the two countries need to accelerate the conclusion of Indonesia - Turkey Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IT-CEPA)," said Rachmat Gobel.

Furthermore Rachmat Gobel said in the investment sector, more than 50 Turkish companies have invested in Indonesia and Indonesia invested 20 million US Dollars in Turkey. In the tourism sector, Rachmat Gobel said more than 85 thousand Indonesian tourists visited Turkey in 2018 while 70 thousand Turkish tourists visited Indonesia, thanks to Garuda Indonesia and Turkish Airlines flights connecting the two countries. While in the field of education, Rachmat Gobel is happy that Turkey has become a popular education destination for Indonesian students, in which more than 1500 Indonesian students are studying in Turkey. (VOI / AHM)

Indonesia and Czech will commemorate the 70th bilateral relations in March 2020. During the relation the two countries have firm cooperation and helped each other. When Indonesia was hit by natural disasters in Sulawesi and Lombok, for example, the government of Czech helped these regions by rebuilding schools destroyed by the disasters. Ambassador of Czech to Indonesia Ivan Hotec said this on his speech at the commemoration of Czech National Day in Jakarta on Monday night (Oct 28).

“Our government has naturally brought the helping hand to the people in needs after the natural disasters on Sulawesi by significant aids and on Lombok by rebuilding elementary schools, thanks to activities of Happy Hearts Indonesia founded by the Czech personalities,” said Ivan Hotec.

Moreover, Ambassador Ivan Hotec  also explained that the government of Czech totally pays attention on natural conservation and environment in Indonesia, from Aceh until Papua. In addition, the governments of Czech and Indonesia have been very active in exchange of cultures, education and cooperation in the fields of tourism, investment, trade and technology. At the end of his speech, Ambassador Ivan Hotec, expressed his congratulation to the newly elected President and Vice President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo and  Ma’ruf Amin. (VOI/AHM)

Deputy Governor of West Sumatra Nasrul Abit believes that the international cycling race and sports tourism event of Tour de Singkarak (TdS) should be able to proffer direct economic benefits to the local residents.

Hence, the host and other regions along the race's routes should chalk out supporting events that involve small- and medium-scale industries to have impacts on the local people, he stated here on Wednesday.

He appealed to local governments to hold activities to coincide with the TdS, such as bazaars, art and cultural performances, as well as exhibitions, to attract people to visit.

Such activities can offer economic benefits and attract people to also support the implementation of the international cycling race, he remarked. West Sumatra Province is gearing up to implement its iconic sports tourism event of Tour de Singkarak on November 2-10, 2019.

The route for the 11th edition of the TdS will be expanded this year for the first time to also cover Jambi Province.

With prizes, amounting to Rp2.3 billion, up for grabs, TdS is the biggest international cycling race in Indonesia that has until now promoted tourist destinations in West Sumatra.

Foreign and domestic cyclists participating in TdS are entertained with local traditional dance performances and culinary delicacies, with the hopes of them returning one day to Indonesia with their families and friends as well as sharing their experiences on social media.

The race will have nine stages and cover 16 districts and municipalities in West Sumatra and two districts in Jambi, spanning 1,324 km.

The first stage will start from Gandoriah Beach, Pariaman Town, and conclude at the Basa Pagaruyung Palace in Batusangkar, stretching 107.3 kilometers.

The last stage will start from the Carocok Beach, Pessel, and conclude at Cimpago Beach, Padang City, West Sumatra, covering 107.7 km.

West Sumatra is optimistic of attracting 58,447 foreign tourists and 8.4 million domestic tourists this year.

The province is promoting 49 major tourist attractions, of which three have been included in the “Calendar of 100 Wonderful Events” managed by the Tourism Ministry.

The three main tourism events are Pasa Harau Art and Cultural Festival, Tour de Singkarak (TdS), and Minangkabau Cultural Festival.

West Sumatra Province is gearing up to implement its iconic sports tourism event of Tour de Singkarak on November 2-10, 2019.

The route for the 11th edition of the TdS will be expanded this year for the first time to also cover Jambi Province.

With prizes, amounting to Rp2.3 billion, up for grabs, TdS is the biggest international cycling race in Indonesia that has until now promoted tourist destinations in West Sumatra.

Foreign and domestic cyclists participating in TdS are entertained with local traditional dance performances and culinary delicacies, with the hopes of them returning one day to Indonesia with their families and friends as well as sharing their experiences on social media.

The race will have nine stages and cover 16 districts and municipalities in West Sumatra and two districts in Jambi, spanning 1,324 km.

The first stage will start from Gandoriah Beach, Pariaman Town, and conclude at the Basa Pagaruyung Palace in Batusangkar, stretching 107.3 kilometers.

The last stage will start from the Carocok Beach, Pessel, and conclude at Cimpago Beach, Padang City, West Sumatra, covering 107.7 km.

West Sumatra is optimistic of attracting 58,447 foreign tourists and 8.4 million domestic tourists this year.

The province is promoting 49 major tourist attractions, of which three have been included in the “Calendar of 100 Wonderful Events” managed by the Tourism Ministry.

The three main tourism events are Pasa Harau Art and Cultural Festival, Tour de Singkarak (TdS), and Minangkabau Cultural Festival. West Sumatra Province is gearing up to implement its iconic sports tourism event of Tour de Singkarak on November 2-10, 2019.

The route for the 11th edition of the TdS will be expanded this year for the first time to also cover Jambi Province.

With prizes, amounting to Rp2.3 billion, up for grabs, TdS is the biggest international cycling race in Indonesia that has until now promoted tourist destinations in West Sumatra.

Foreign and domestic cyclists participating in TdS are entertained with local traditional dance performances and culinary delicacies, with the hopes of them returning one day to Indonesia with their families and friends as well as sharing their experiences on social media.

The race will have nine stages and cover 16 districts and municipalities in West Sumatra and two districts in Jambi, spanning 1,324 km.

The first stage will start from Gandoriah Beach, Pariaman Town, and conclude at the Basa Pagaruyung Palace in Batusangkar, stretching 107.3 kilometers.

The last stage will start from the Carocok Beach, Pessel, and conclude at Cimpago Beach, Padang City, West Sumatra, covering 107.7 km.

West Sumatra is optimistic of attracting 58,447 foreign tourists and 8.4 million domestic tourists this year.

The province is promoting 49 major tourist attractions, of which three have been included in the “Calendar of 100 Wonderful Events” managed by the Tourism Ministry.

The three main tourism events are Pasa Harau Art and Cultural Festival, Tour de Singkarak (TdS), and Minangkabau Cultural Festival.