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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The Indonesian Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan initiated its activities to promote the Indonesian economy in 2023 by holding a batik fashion show. The embassy in its statement on Thursday (26/1) stated that Indonesian Batik Exhibition and Culture activities to demonstrate modern batik clothing and to display typical Indonesian handicrafts was held at the Diplomatic Hall of the Indonesian Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan on Tuesday (24/1). Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Sujatmiko pointed out that in January 2023, his side started promoting economic activities and it received appreciation from the family of the Sultan of Brunei.
According to the information from the Indonesian Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan, the Sultan of Brunei's family and foreign diplomats were impressed by the performance of some motifs, colors and styles of batik clothes which were displayed at the event. Ambassador Sujatmiko on the occasion also conveyed that batik is one of the art works originating from Indonesia and has been recognized by the UNESCO since 2 October 2009 as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
He further pointed out that batik has entered the international market and he also emphasized the importance of the batik industry for Indonesia's national economy. Besides the family of the Sultan of Brunei and foreign diplomats, business people, media representatives and Friends of Indonesia in Brunei, they also witnessed the fashion show featuring works of batik by Indonesian designer, Frida Nursanti.
Moreover, the invitees also had the opportunity to see handicraft products, food and herbal drinks from Purwakarta Regency, West Java. The promotional activities for Indonesian products in Brunei were also enlivened by performances of thePendet dance, Payung dance,andSaman dancewhich were performed by the Indonesian people in Brunei. In addition, there was also the launch of a children's story book entitled ”the Legend of Bagendit Lake”, a collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan and the Reading Literacy Association of Brunei Darussalam (RELA). The book tells the story of the legend ofSitu Bagendit, namely one of the national tourism sites in West Java Province.
Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Teten Masduki along with Indonesian Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Muliaman Hadad inaugurated the Indonesia Trading House or ITH which is located at the Pasar Indonesia store in Aargau, Switzerland. In a statement received last Tuesday (24/1), Minister Teten Masduki gave high appreciation for the efforts to establish ITH in Switzerland, because this opens up opportunities for Indonesian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to enter foreign markets.
Minister Teten also paid attention to the use of digital market platforms or marketplaces for marketing Indonesian MSMEs’ products and connectedness with ITH networks, Indonesian diaspora, and domestic markets.
Minister Tetan also remarked that there are many MSMEs’ products that ITH can collaborate with, such as those sold at Mbloc, Pos Bloc and Sarinah. The government is also pushing the sale of spices so that they are no longer selling spices.
Minister Teten further said that the inauguration of the establishment of ITH was a follow-up to the signing of the establishment of ITH which was officially signed by the Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arsyad Rasyid on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum event on 24 May 2022.
Ambassador Muliaman hopes that the inauguration of the Indonesia Trading House (ITH) in Aargau, Switzerland can be a door for the flow of Indonesian products, both food and non-food products, to the Swiss and European markets. Ambassador Muliaman also expressed that Indonesia must think about and take advantage of Switzerland's opportunities as a doorway for Indonesian products to the European market, especially by utilizing the issue of tariffs in the Indonesia-EFTA CEPA Agreement.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson for Coordinator I, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yukki Nugrahawan Hanafi said that this ITH is the first in Europe and will continue to be developed. He also appreciates the support from the Indonesian Embassy in Bern and the Indonesian Ministry of Trade. Yukki Nugrahawan also hopes that there will be a joint solution regarding the issue of quite high logistics costs. The Indonesia-EFTA CEPA agreement that has been reached also needs to be put to good use, especially regarding tariffs.
The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Bangkok in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University and Ang Thong College of Dramatic Arts held an Indonesian Festival at the Hall of the Ang Thong College Building, in Bangkok, Thailand from 18 until 19, January 2023.
Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand and UNESCAP, Rachmat Budiman through a press release in Jakarta on Friday (20/1) conveyed that his side would like to emphasize the importance of increasing bilateral cooperation in all fields, particularly in the arts and social culture. He further pointed out that the cultural exchange of people-to-people contact must reach not only the upper class, but also all groups of the general public, involving academicians, young people, artists, students, athletes, media-people, and entrepreneurs. Besides, Ambassador Rachmat explained that the Indonesian Festival is a manifestation of efforts to improve relations between the people of both countries. This event is a forum for the younger generation of Thailand and Indonesia to get to know each other better.
Meanwhile, Director of Ang Thong College of Dramatic Arts, Associate Professor, Sompob Kheawmanee expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok for organizing this activity. It allows students to learn some kinds of Indonesian art and culture, such as how to make batik, traditional dance, Indonesian songs and music from Indonesia. He hopes that the festival will be the first step for students to be interested in and get to know more about the richness of Indonesian art and culture in the future.
The activities participated by around 800 students offline and online consisted of Indonesian dance, Indonesian language, Indonesian song workshops, Indonesian music as well as introductions to Indonesia and basic knowledge quiz about Indonesia. Moreover, there was also an Indonesian booth exhibition for 2 days to be visited by the students and university students at Ang Thong College Building.
The Teaching and Education Science Faculty of Muhammadiyah University (Unismuh) Makassar explorescooperation on education development with the US Consulate and the Global Initiatives Northern Illinois University, U.S.
The cooperation exploration was marked by a visit of the US Consulate and Executive Director of Global Initiatives Northern Illinois University USA,Prof. Eric Jones to Unismuh. The two-day visit on 19-20 January 2023 discussed every detail of the cooperation.
Dean of Unismuh Teaching and Education Science Faculty, Erwin Akib in a statement said that on 19 January, he met the U.S. Consul, Clint Shoemake.Both of them agreed to continue international relations by signing the MoU soon. Next, on 20 January, Erwin received a visit from the Executive Director of Global Initiatives Northern Illinois University for the educational cooperation development.
Executive Director of Global Initiatives Northern Illinois University,Prof. Eric Jones saidthathe will return to sign the MoU with Unismuh Teaching and Education Science Faculty. Erwin welcomed that. He schedulesanother meeting between the two to follow-up the cooperation agreement signing meeting officially.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi paid a working visit to New York, the United States. During the visit, she held meetings with a number of parties to discuss support for education in Afghanistan and Indonesia's candidacy for the Human Rights Council on Thursday (19/1).
As quoted from the kemlu.go.id, on Thursday (19/1), Minister Retno Marsudi met the U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Rina Amiri. They discussed the follow-up of the International Conference on Afghan Women's Education (ICAWE).The International Conference which was held in Bali on 9 December 2022 resulted in political commitment and concrete support for the education and empowerment of Afghan women.
Minister Retno Marsudi further conveyed the importance of exploring alternative educational methods, such as online education, empowerment of Afghan women through informal education, and dialogue between religious leaders of Islamic countries and Afghanistan.
Minister Retno Marsudi also met the Permanent Representatives of countries that are influential on the Afghanistan issue at the United Nations, including representatives from the United States, Britain, Russia and China, who are also permanent members of the UN Security Council. She also held meetings with a number of Islamic countries, such as Pakistan and Turkey, as well as donor countries like Germany and Switzerland.
Separately, Minister Retno Marsudi also met the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF. The purpose of the meeting was to ensure that the international community continues to provide vital humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
Minister Retno also met the Permanent Representatives of Botswana, Burundi and Rwanda. They discussed Indonesia's candidacy for the Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 period. During the meeting, Minister Retno Marsudi conveyed the bilateral closeness between Indonesia and each of those countries and Indonesia's track record on human rights issues.
Apart from discussing humanitarian assistance and support for women's education in Afghanistan, Minister Retno Marsudi also shared Indonesia's leadership priorities in ASEAN in 2023, namely developments in Myanmar and the Indo-Pacific region.
A total of 19 students from the Yamanashi Gakuin University (YGU) at Faculty of Business and Administration introduced Indonesian products to Japanese society, ranging fromIndonesianbatik to coffee.
One of the students, Sudo Shinya, in Tokyo on Thursday (19/1) said that he was happy to know about and introduce Indonesian spices which he then processed into Japanese cuisine. He and other students tried to make Japanese fast food, such as ginger rose ebi fried rice and Amarayaki by using spices from Indonesia. 20 dishes they made were sold out.
Meanwhile, Suzuki Hitoha introduced various types of Indonesian coffee to the Japanese people. According to Suzuki, Indonesian coffee is very good. Different aromas and tastes are characteristics that Japanese people really like. Apart from selling, he also organized a kind of Indonesian coffee workshop so that Japanese people get to know Indonesian coffee better.
The participants in the "Introduction to Seminar I & II" course with the theme of ‘Indonesia and seven participants’ from various campuses in Indonesia who are members of the student exchange program presented their efforts to introduce Indonesian products to the Japanese public, ranging from batik, instant cooking spices, fried rice, snacks to coffee.
They sold these products to the Japanese public in a festival at YGU and also in shopping centers outside the campus. Each group was accompanied by students from Indonesia.
On this occasion, Lecturer of Yamanashi Gakuin University, Higashi Hidetada explained that this activity was a collaboration with Indonesian students who took part in the "YGU Short Program".
Meanwhile, Deputy Ambassador to Japan, John Tjahjanto appreciated YGU's efforts in encouraging its students to learn about Indonesia. He added that 2023 is an important year for Indonesia and Japan because both countries celebrate 65 years of bilateral relations. To celebrate the relations, the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo is going to hold "Indonesia–Japan Friendship Day 2023" in a number of cities in Japan.
Turkey has the potential to be the non-traditional source of supply for Indonesia’s main weapon system tools due to their advanced technology. Turkey is currently the second largest power in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO after the United States.
It was an important note from the Indonesian Ambassador toTurkey, Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, during Kompas Talks dialog theme: “Silaturrahmi Virtual Diaspora Jelang Tahun Baru 2023” at Ankara on Thursday, 29th December.
In addition to Ambassador Iqbal, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Australia, Siswo Pramono, The Head of Indonesian Trade Promotion Center in Sydney, Cristophorus Barutu, and The Head of Export School, Handita Joewono, also attended the event.
According to Ambassador Iqbal, Turkey made use of their neutral position to be more assertive and to accentuate their role in the International sphere. He referred to the role of Turkey in the Russia-Ukraine war, which was accepted by both sides.
He stated that Indonesia could learn from Turkey in terms of utilizing the situation by maintaining a non-aligned stance.
Furthermore, as the largest Moslem country in the world, Indonesia needs to make use of the halal label for embracing the global halal market. One of the halal certification collaborations has been agreed with Turkey’s institution.
In terms of trade, the trade transactions between Indonesia and Turkey in the first 10 months of 2022 have surpassed the amount of the previous year’s total trades. The number itself became the highest record of USD 2,6 billion with an increase of export by 56,7 percent. Meanwhile, imports decreased to 13,9 percent, which was lower than 2021 of 46,4 percent.
For the sector of tourism, the arrival of Indonesian tourists to Turkey was higher than the opposite. The country, which is led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was one of the first countries who have opened their borders while their neighbors haven’t done a similar thing.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received ASEAN Secretary General Dato' Lim Jock Hoi and his delegation at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday. As quoted on the Antara page (30/12), Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi after accompanying President Jokowi said that Dato' Lim Jock Hoi's visit was to express his gratitude for Indonesia's support to ASEAN while Dato' Lim served as Secretary General of ASEAN. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi disclosed that the most visible and most beneficial support was Indonesia's contribution to the development of the new ASEAN Secretariat.
The construction of the new building, is expected to improve the performance of the ASEAN Secretariat. Now ASEAN meetings can be held in Jakarta, at the ASEAN Secretariat Building.
According to Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, during the meeting, the Secretary General of ASEAN Dato' Lim Jock Hoi expressed confidence that Indonesia could play a good role as Chair of ASEAN 2023. The theme for Indonesia's chairmanship namely the Epicentrum of Growth, is considered appropriate to be the focus of discussion. .
Minister Retno Marsudi explained that the Secretary General of ASEAN conveyed that economic development in each ASEAN country was quite promising. With this promising economic development, the theme of the Indonesian Chairmanship is very appropriate to put forward. She also explained that last week Dato' Lim Jock Hoi officially ended his duties as Secretary General of ASEAN and the position will be handed over to the new Secretary General of ASEAN.
Support for Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN 2023 was also conveyed by Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato' Seri Zambry. Quoting the Cabinet Secretariat website, Dato' Sery Zambry conveyed this support when President Joko Widodo received him at the Merdeka Palace, last Friday (30/12).
Malaysia believes that under Indonesia's leadership, ASEAN will continue to make progress in building a safer, inclusive and sustainable region for the benefit of ASEAN.
According to Retno Marsudi, during the meeting Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Zambry expressed his support and trust in Indonesia taking the chair of ASEAN in 2023. The Malaysian Foreign Minister said that Indonesia's chairmanship was a very strong chairmanship in the midst of quite a number of global challenges.
The new year 2023 becomes a moment for the Indonesian Embassy in Astana to welcome the 30th anniversary of Indonesia-Kazakhstan diplomatic relations.
Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, Fadjroel Rachman said that for the next one year, the activity of the Indonesian Embassy in Astana will be related to the diplomatic relations celebration.
Amid the New Year's Eve party joined by Indonesian citizens in Astana, Ambassador Fajdroel said that the embassy's vision in the diplomatic relations' 30th anniversary was bringing forward the service, innovation, and collaboration. Then, he invited those in Indonesia and Kazakhstan to join in implementing the diplomatic vision both in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
One of the collaborations is the logo for the 30th anniversary as designed by Akhri Jetendra Djachrir. This logo symbolizes the 30 years of Indonesia-and-Kazakhstan diplomatic relations. There were Garuda and Samruk joining as one, representing the unity between Indonesia and Kazakhstan. The Garuda and Samruk also mean power and dynamic motion that is ready to soar, representing a spirit of development for both Indonesia and Kazakhstan.
The 30th anniversary of Indonesia-Kazakhstan diplomatic relations was also commemorated with the signing of several MoUs namely between the Nusantara Capital City and Astana, Indonesian Youths & Sports Ministry and Kazakhstan Sports & Culture Ministry, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KADIN) and Chamber of Commerce of Kazakhstan (Atameken) as well as Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments and Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (I-EAEU FTA).
Poland probes to collaborate in the sectors of energy, environment, trade, tourism, and education with the government of East Kalimantan.
Deputy Head of Mission Embassy of Poland, Piotr Firlus has conducted a meeting with the Secretary of East Kalimantan Government, Sri Wahyuni in Samarindarecently.
Mr. Piotr Firlus is hoping that his very first visit to East Kalimantan could produce a decent collaboration between Poland and East Kalimantan.
In his official statement, Piotr Firlus stated that there are possible collaboration opportunities in various sectors,such energy, environment, trade, health, tourism, and education.
Piotr claimedthat East Kalimantan has been one of the largest coal-producing provinces in Indonesia and a coal supplier for Eastern European nations. He is expecting a more intense collaboration between both parties in the field of information technology;one of which is in the form of a scholarship program in East Kalimantan.
In the meantime, Sri Wahyuniresponded positivelyto the offer.Therefore, she also conveyedanother existing business and investment opportunity in other fields. Furthermore, her side will also sendsomeinformation about tourism, conservation of orangutans and sun bears, as well as underwater activities in hope that travel agencies in Poland could introduce the potentialof East Kalimantan.