The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut has acknowledged its continued support for trade cooperation improvement between Indonesia and Lebanon. Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon Hajriyanto Y Thohari gave the Primaduta Award to Lebanese businessman and importer, George R Fattouh. The award was given for his service in helping market Indonesian products in Paris from the Middle East. The award was given at a ceremony at the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, Thursday (11/1) Fatough, is the owner of George R. Fattouh S.A.L, a business that has been importing Indonesian products since the 1980s. It has a range of products, including: palm oil and its derivatives, oil and fats (including cocoa butter substitute, fat spread, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, and lauric confectionery fats), cardboard, stationary, and school equipment. Some Indonesian products are now even available at famous retail networks, such as Spinney’s and Carrefour. In 2022, the value imported by George R. Fattough S.A.L of Indonesian products, was 981.3 million USD. This was a 149.5 million USD increase when compared to 2021. Fattouh said Indonesian products are known for their quality and are in high demand in Lebanese markets. However, he said, the challenge now is increasing freight costs due to security challenges in the region.
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Listeners, a number of delicious dishes were served to the guests of Dhaup Ageng Pura Pakualaman Yogyakarta, at the wedding reception of the youngest son of K.G.P.A.A. Paku Alam X, namely B.P.H. Kusumo Kuntonugroho with Laily Annisa Kusumastuti which was held on January 10, 2024.Head of the Customs and Accommodation Division, Dhaup Ageng Pura Pakualaman, KRT Radyo Wisroyo said that the menu served to guests was quite varied. These menus are typical menus prepared by Pakualaman Pura, Indonesian menus and western food menus were also available. All invited guests including VIP and VVIP guests got the same menu. The first menu served to welcome guests, namely two types of welcome drink, namely lime lemongrass and ginger drink with lime. The welcome drink was given when guests sat down and watched the Bedhaya Sidamukti and Bedhaya Kakung Indrawidagda dance performances. Next, they gotsnacks for appetizer such as croquettes and other light snacks. There is a snack that is considered quite special and rare called Garulina. Garulina was the opening snack at the Pahargyan Dhaup Ageng Pakualaman lunch on the first day. Garulina has been around since the era before Indonesian independence. Garulina is actually not a typical Central Javanese food. It looks like the Lapis Legit layered cake, but there is something different, because there is a special layer like vla which is made from fresh milk, eggs and sugar. To get this sweet snack, Pakulaman Temple has to place a special order from the third generation of makers who have been pioneering since the 1950s. In Jogja, Garulina is very difficult to find and is considered rare because it is not sold every day.
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Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt, Lutfi Rauf accompanied by the Trade Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Cairo, M. Syahran Bhakti visited the head office of PT. Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia at Graha PPI in Jakarta in order to increase exports of Indonesian products to Egypt on Monday (21/10). Through a press release of the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo on Wednesday (23/10), Ambassador Lutfi hopes that the Indonesian Trading Company can support the increase in the value of Indonesian exports to Egypt through multi-stakeholder and cross-country collaboration.
Besides, the Ambassador revealed that Indonesia and Egypt have signed a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of the Joint Trade Committee, a forum created to strengthen economic relations between the two countries. He also hopes that the forum discusses efforts to improve trade relations between the two countries, and free trade agreements of both countries and cooperation in business-to-business trade schemes.
Meanwhile, the Trade Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo pointed out that Indonesia's main export products to Egypt include palm oil and its derivatives, coffee, coconut and its preparations, cocoa powder, spices, yarn, tires, vehicles and vehicle parts and pesticides. While Indonesia's main import commodities from Egypt are mineral phosphate fertilizers, dates, mineral fertilizers, drops from extraction and natural calcium phosphate.
The visit of the delegation of the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo was received by the President Director of PT. Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia, S. Hernowo. On that occasion, Hernowo welcomed the efforts to diversify the export of Indonesian superior products to the Egyptian market. He further added that until now it has continuously exported coffee bean products to the Egyptian market. Hernowo hopes to export other superior products, so as to meet the demand of Egyptian buyers, especially in the field of food products, agricultural products, and plantations.
The Indonesian Government and the Philippines Governmenŕ continue to strengthen diplomatic relations by holding the Indonesia-Philippines Health Forum which is a collaborative forum to facilitate health discussions, such as the latest trends, challenges and potential for economic and educational partnerships in the health sector.
Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines, Agus Widjojo through an official statement from the Indonesian Embassy Manila received in Jakarta on Tuesday (22/10) said that the Indonesia-Philippines Health Forum is a proof of a joint commitment to enhance health cooperation and address health challenges faced by both countries.
Ambassador Agus hopes that the forum held at the Indonesian Embassy in Manila on October 21 can build a strong foundation of collaboration in the health sector. The forum is part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year.
The Indonesian Embassy in Manila stated that the health forum is a follow-up to the mandate of the 2022-2027 Action Plan, which was agreed upon by both countries during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s visit to Indonesia in 2022.
On the same occasion, Director of Southeast Asia at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mirza Nurhidayat, emphasized that the forum was very appropriate and important, especially to continue to build cooperation in creating stronger supply chains, resilient health systems and services, and meeting the needs of the community. In addition, it was enriched by presentations from health experts.
The Indonesia-Philippines Health Forum also featured a business matching session to encourage economic cooperation while building mutually beneficial partnerships between medical device entrepreneurs from both countries.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Indonesian Medical Device Ecosystem Development Association -HIPELKI, Randy Teguh in his speech said that Indonesian health products and services have met the safety, quality and performance elements required as medical device products.
He also emphasized that with 207 competent members, the Indonesian Medical Device Ecosystem Development Association will be a valuable asset to build Indonesia's strength in exporting medical devices to ASEAN and other markets.
The Indonesian Medical Device Ecosystem Development Association brought 11 Indonesian companies to join the business matching. The association also represented 30 other companies under their umbrella, while 34 Philippine companies joined the session.
The business matching has also explored future collaborations, such as joint research and long-term partnerships in medical device trade and nursing education.
The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Athens, Greece celebrated the 79th anniversary of Indonesia's independence and 75 years of friendship with Greece through a diplomatic reception) at the InterContinental Athenaeum Hotel in Athenson Friday (18/10).
Reported by the Indonesian Embassy in Athens on Saturday (19/10), this reception was attended by the Minister of Tourism of Greece, Olga Kefalogianni and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Kostas Fragogiannis. For the first time, two Greek ministers were present together at a diplomatic reception. The event was also attended by 400 guests of honor, including government officials, ambassadors, business leaders, and members of the ASEAN Committee in Athens (ACAT).
In his remarks, Indonesian Ambassador to Greece, Bebeb A.K.N. Djundjunan emphasized the importance of shared values in democracy and a strong foundation of friendship that can support cooperation in various fields, such as trade, tourism, culture, maritime cooperation, and exchanges between peoples. Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Kostas Fragogiannis emphasized the importance of the Action Plan to Increase Economic Cooperation between Indonesia and Greece 2023–2028, while the Minister of Tourism of Greece, Olga Kefalogianni underlined the potential for tourism cooperation to strengthen relations between the two countries.
This year's celebration also marks 75 years of Indonesia-Greece relations, which are enriched by the Indonesia Expo which takes place throughout the year. The expo encourages interaction between communities through collaborative art exchanges and cultural performances, showcasing artworks from Indonesian and Greek artists that reflect the deep ties between the two countries.
The event featured various performances that highlighted Indonesia's rich culture, including traditional dances. This reception is a platform to promote Indonesia's cultural diversity and reinforce positive trends in Indonesia's integrated promotion efforts at the international level.
Indonesia-Japan Friendship Festival 2024 took place at Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, on Saturday, 19/10. The event spanned two days and featured performances by various artists from Indonesia and Japan. Indonesian artists included the band J-Rocks, Balinese musicians Balawan and Batuan Ethnic Fusion, and the Gondang Orchestra. Japanese artists included Tokyo Lagu-Lagu Kai and Hiroaki Kato, among others.
This festival is part of the “Road To Osaka 2025” initiative and serves as a continuation of the “One Heart” commemoration marking 65 years of relations between Indonesia and Japan. Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Japan, Heri Akhmadi, emphasized the significance of the Indonesia-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which encompasses cooperation in various fields, including arts and culture.
Ambassador Heri noted the importance of the Indonesian diaspora in Japan, which numbers around 180,000 people, highlighting its potential to strengthen people-to-people contacts between the two nations. He encouraged the Indonesian diaspora, along with other ASEAN citizens, to actively participate in socio-cultural activities in Japan, aiming to introduce Indonesian culture to the Japanese people. Through these efforts, a stronger intercultural understanding between the two countries can be fostered, ultimately allowing Indonesia and Japan to advance together for the welfare of their citizens.
In addition to artistic performances, the 2024 Indonesia-Japan Friendship Festival featured 90 booths showcasing specialty foods, art products, and Indonesian banking services. The event also saw the attendance of ambassadors from friendly countries, including Laos Ambassador to Japan Tuy Ry and Vietnam Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu, along with representatives of ASEAN countries.
Isner Rafael, a student of BINUS SCHOOL Simprug Junior High School, Jakarta, won 1st place in the prestigious Golden Classical Music Award music competition. Performing Zez Confrey's arrangement entitled ‘Dizzy Fingers,’ Isner beat participants from various countries.
The Golden Classical Music Award, in collaboration with the Grand Prize Virtuoso, opens the door for talented artists from around the world in the fields of strings, piano, and vocals to showcase their talents on the world stage and provides awards that can pave the way for international careers. As a result of his victory, Isner was invited to perform on the Weill Recital Hall stage at Carnegie Hall, New York, United States.
BINUS SCHOOL Simprug, as an international school that prioritizes a balance between academic achievement and student talent, provides full support for Isner in developing his abilities in music, especially piano. Through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, BINUS School instills values such as being open-minded, principled, and daring to take risks. With this approach, Isner is able to manage his schoolwork while still exploring his interests in the world of music. This shows how a balanced education can encourage students to achieve high results without sacrificing their passions.
Isner's success is not only a source of pride for himself but also an inspiration for his friends at BINUS SCHOOL Simprug. Support from his family and teachers is one of the keys to his success, enabling him to perform on the prestigious stage in the United States. This achievement proves that with enthusiasm and dedication, Indonesian students can compete and excel on the world stage. Hopefully, Isner's achievement can motivate other students to keep pursuing their dreams, both in academic and non-academic fields.
A team of students from the Faculty of Economics and Business at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta, developed an eco-friendly cement from shell waste. The product, INNOCEM—short for Innovatively Efficient Instant Cement—was created as part of the Student Creativity Program in Entrepreneurship (PKM-K). One of the team members, Vidhyazputri Belva Aqila, explained that the idea for INNOCEM started from their concern about the construction industry, which produces 37% of carbon emissions. This is largely due to the traditional use of limestone-based cement that involves environmentally harmful processes.
The development of INNOCEM aims to promote sustainable green construction in Indonesia. It also addresses environmental issues by processing shell waste that has not been optimally managed. The team chose shell waste as the raw material because it contains potassium oxide, a component similar to limestone. According to various studies, shell waste has a high potassium oxide content. Shell waste is currently abundant but not widely used, resulting in large amounts of garbage.
The high potassium oxide in shell waste makes it a promising alternative to limestone in cement production. INNOCEM is now available online through marketplaces and its official website. This product supports the development of eco-friendly construction and offers a solution for reducing shell waste.
Young Indonesians have again made achievements in the international arena, where Asri Hapsari, a student of the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), won 1st place in the Innovation Video and 3rd place in the Best Presentation in the 2024 International Youth Excursion Network competition. He and his team developed a literacy application for children called "Pintar Asuh." Asri and her team feel proud because the results of Indonesian children's ideas can beat participants from various countries. He hopes that his achievements can inspire other students to display their innovations on the world stage.
The "Pintar Asuh" Literacy Application was created by Asri and her team because they are concerned that there are still many children in Indonesia who do not have good access to literacy, especially children from underprivileged families. The "Pintar Asuh" application contains guidelines for parents in teaching their children to read and write. The method suggested by Asri and the team in the application is interactive and fun. This application is inclusive and can be used for free by the wider community.
In the International Youth Excursion Network 2024 competition, Asri managed to defeat 175 participants from Malaysia and Indonesia. The International Youth Excursion Network is an event that gathers innovations and creative ideas of young people. In addition to demonstrating innovation, each participant was also given an understanding of culture and history.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto hosted state guests and diplomatic representatives for the first time as President. The dinner was held at the State Palace, Jakarta, last Sunday evening.
The President wore a black suit and traditional black cap (peci). Brunei’s Prime Minister Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah sat to his left, and the Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sat to his right. As President Prabowo delivered his speech, the guests listened attentively.
The President greeted the guests and delivered his speech in English. Through his speech, he talked about democracy in Indonesia, and acknowledged that Indonesia is still in the early stages of experiencing constitutional democracy. He also stated that Indonesia still has much to learn. Indonesia is aware of the need to continuously improve its services and strive toward achieving democratic ideals.
Prabowo said that Indonesia wants to be the best neighbor and partner to work together for the common good, peace, and prosperity of all.
Following his speech, the President invited the guests to raise a toast, with everyone standing as he did. President Prabowo also humbly admitted that it was his first time hosting an official dinner, so he apologized for his inexperience.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Dubai hosted the signing of an important cooperation between Pondok Pesantren Darul Fiqih from Lamongan, East Java, and Dubai Blockchain Center and Sphynx Lab from New Zealand. The signing took place on Thursday, October 17.
As quoted from Media Indonesia, the event was attended by Gus Adziem, the caretaker of the Islamic boarding school; Khalifa AlJaziri AlShehhi, Co-Founder of Dubai Blockchain Center; and Zaidoun Al-Owbydi, CEO of Sphynx Lab. Indonesian Consul General to Dubai, Denny Lesmana, was also present to witness this historic event, along with Kusuma Pradopo, regional director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The signing ceremony was made even more special by all participants wearing sarongs, which symbolize the strength of the pesantren culture. This traditional costume shows that modern innovations such as Blockchain can be in line with Indonesia's cultural values.
This cooperation is part of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). By introducing Blockchain technology in Islamic boarding schools, Indonesia's young generation is invited to not only study religion but also enter the world of future technology. This aims to keep them relevant and ready for the digital era. Blockchain technology is an advanced database mechanism that enables transparent sharing of information within a business network. A blockchain database stores data in blocks that are linked together in a chain.
The signing at the Consulate General in Dubai is not just a formal agreement but also proof that tradition and technology can go hand in hand, building a better future for Indonesia.
The Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm held the Indonesian Investment Forum at the World Trade Center, Stockholm, Sweden, on Thursday (10/17). The forum was meant to share with Swedish businesspeople investment opportunities offered by Indonesia, especially in the renewable energy, digitalization, and sustainable infrastructure sectors.
The official statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm, received in Jakarta, stated that the forum brought together parties, including government officials, business leaders, and major investors from Indonesia and Sweden.
The Indonesian Investment Forum opens up space to create agreements among businesses in both countries, strengthen cooperation, and significantly increase Swedish investment in Indonesia.
The Indonesian Ambassador to Sweden, Kamapradipta Isnomo, reaffirmed that Indonesia welcomed Swedish investors by offering various opportunities in joint growth sectors. According to him, Indonesia is committed to working with Swedish companies to achieve common mutually beneficial goals, encouraging innovation, and sustainability.
In addition to discussing investment opportunities, this forum also highlighted Sweden's investment performance in Indonesia, which continues to increase.
Swedish investment realization until the third quarter of 2024 reached 172.65 million US dollars, three times the total investment in 2023 of 50.4 million US dollars. This increase reflects the growing interest of Swedish companies to invest in Indonesia, with an increasingly conducive investment climate.
This forum was enthusiastically welcomed by 34 company leaders, business leaders, program directors, and managers from various industries in Sweden. The Indonesian Embassy also invited a number of key speakers who emphasized that Indonesia is a dynamic investment destination with great economic potential that continues to grow.
The speakers were Nurul Ichwan from the Indonesian Ministry of Investment, Investment Coordinating Board; Farida Peranginangin as Head of the Bank Indonesia Representative Office in London; Zainal Arifin from the state power company PT PLN; Shinta W. Kamdani, General Chairperson of the Indonesian Employers Association; and Erik Odar as Swedish Trade Commissioner for Indonesia.
The Indonesia Investment Forum is an important step in strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations between Indonesia and Sweden. For that reason, the Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm will continue to facilitate dialogues that support economic cooperation between the two countries for a more prosperous and sustainable future.