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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As many as 100 booths offering products of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and creative industries at the Indonesian Businesswomen Association (IWAPI) Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, became a bridge in connecting Indonesian and Malaysian businesswomen. Through this event, business actors from both countries expanded their markets and established strategic cooperation. Coordinator of Economic Functions of the Indonesian Embassy, Hendra Purnama Iskandar, after the opening of the exhibition on Monday (23/9/2024), mentioned that the 100 booths were filled by IWAPI members and their Malaysian partners. This activity is fully supported by the Indonesian Embassy as part of efforts to increase economic cooperation between the two countries ahead of the organization’s National Work Meeting.
Moreover, Hendra conveyed that Indonesian women entrepreneurs have the opportunity to showcase their products and services at this exhibition. He also hopes these products can enter the Malaysian market through business matching sessions. Some of the excellent products on display included modest fashion, accessories, and traditional fabrics or wastras. Hendra Purnama Iskandar affirmed that the potential to expand the market in Malaysia is very large. He believes that entrepreneurs from both countries, who share many cultural similarities, can easily establish cooperation. As allied countries, various aspects such as culture and tradition serve as supporting factors in the partnership.
The wife of the Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Kiki Hermono, officially opened the Indonesian Businesswomen Association (IWAPI) exhibition and business matching activities. In her remarks, Kiki explained that IWAPI, as the largest organization of women entrepreneurs, has contributed significantly to developing the fighting spirit and welfare of women, especially in the economic sector. She hopes that the exhibition can open up greater market opportunities, including providing opportunities for networking with business people in Malaysia, so that Indonesian women entrepreneurs become more empowered and successful.
In addition to being attended by 1,200 members of the organization, the event was also attended by IWAPI founder Dewi Motik Pramono and Chairperson of the IWAPI Central Executive Board, Nita Yudi. Their presence is proof of their full support for the women entrepreneurs participating in this exhibition.
The Indonesian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, held a diplomatic reception to celebrate the 79th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.
Through an official statement received in Jakarta on Saturday (21/9/2024), it was disclosed that the activity was attended by around 500 guests, consisting of a number of vice ministers, members of congress, governors, mayors, diplomatic corps, CEOs, company owners, rectors, deans, Colombian figures, and the media.
Also present were partners of the Indonesian Embassy in Bogota, who are members of Amigos de Indonesia (Friends of Indonesia), who admire the diversity of Indonesian culture and gastronomy.
The diplomatic reception, held in the Centro Cultural Gimnasio Moderno hall, featured various regional dances from Indonesia. They were performed by around 120 Colombian dancers. It was a collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy and a number of schools, from elementary school to university in Bogota.
The Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia, who also serves Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Tatang Budie Utama Razak, in his speech, conveyed the history of Indonesia and the progress achieved to date.
According to him, Indonesia has now become one of the countries advancing in the fields of economy, development, infrastructure, and technology.
On that occasion, a video was also shown about pluralism, democracy, and progress in various fields, including the development of Indonesia’s New Capital City, Nusantara. Many guests expressed their desire to visit Indonesia, as well as entrepreneurs who want to cooperate with Indonesia.
The invited guests were entertained with the atmosphere of the Indonesian night by watching art performances and enjoying Indonesian gastronomy.
President Joko Widodo launched the Wanagama Nusantara forest to support the development of the new capital city -Nusantara in the City Forest Zone B of the Government Centre Core Area in East Kalimantan. The declaration of the education and research forest, which will be managed by Gadjah Mada University, was marked by the signing of a charter in Kayu Sukai by President Joko Widodo, and witnessed by Rector of Gadjah Mada University and someMinisters. After the declaration of Wanagama Nusantara forest, President Joko Widodo along with his ministers symbolically planted trees and released several birds followed by the Ministers, UGM Rector, students, partners and communities around Nusantara Capital City.
Wanagama Nusantara is an interdisciplinary and educational research forest development ecosystem that is initiated by Universitas Gadjah Mada in collaboration with the Authority of the Nusantara Capital City and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The forest is located in the core area of the Nusantara Capital Government Centre with an area of 621 hectares. For the initial stage, an area of 28 hectares was developed. Of the total area, in the future there will be expansion by deforestation based on zones. Some of them are tropical forest zones, energy forests, forests for pharmaceuticals, and forests for eco-tourism.
Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada Prof. Ova Emilia hopes Wanagama Nusantara supports the vision of the Nusantara Capital City as Forest City. In addition, he also hopes that Wanagama Nusantara will become a window of the tropical world, with the main programme, including the development of educational forest zoning, the development of the Institute for future life, restoration, reforestation and enrichment planting. The existence of Wanagama Nusantara is certainly part of Universitas Gadjah Mada's commitment in supporting the development of the Nusantara Capital City as a sustainable city.
As an educational and research forest, Wanagama Nusantara Forest is integrated with various disciplines and faculties at Universitas Gadjah Mada. This forest is also expected to be a model of tropical rainforest restoration in regulating hydrology and microclimate in the Nusantara Capital City as well as conservation of native species of tropical rainforests from extinction in the future.
The Indonesian Embassy in Sofia is celebrating 68 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Bulgaria at the National History Museum, a museum that records the journey of the Bulgarian nation and state towards democracy.
Quoted by Antara, Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Albania and North Macedonia, Iwan Bogananta, through an official statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Sofia on Sunday (15/9), said that the occasion was also a momentum to reflect and project closer diplomatic relations that are concrete for the two communities.
Ambassador Iwan further also said that during his four years in charge of the Indonesian Embassy in Bulgaria, the total trade between Indonesia and Bulgaria and the number of Bulgarian tourists to Indonesia increased by almost 50 per cent. Bulgaria has also supported Indonesia in various nominations for a number of positions in international institutions, such as at IMO, ITU, and UNESCO.
Ambassador Iwan Bogananta also claimed to actively echo the focus of the Indonesian Government's programmes; one of which is attracting investment to the new capital, Nusantara -IKN.
The Indonesian Embassy in Sofia facilitated the signing of an investment Letter of Interest (LoI) in the food and beverage sector amounting to US$50 million, equivalent to Rp771 billion, between Bulgarian entrepreneurs and the Indonesian Ministry of Investment in 2023.
Another concrete diplomatic achievement is that as a result of the working visit of the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy to Bulgaria in June 2023, Bulgaria is designated as a hub for the Indonesia Spice Up the World programme for the European market.
This was then followed up with the facilitation of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Marketing Mission with a total trade agreement of US$3 million equivalent to 46.2 billion rupiah in November 2023.
According to Ambassador Iwan, to support the Golden Indonesia 2045 target, future bilateral relations between Indonesia and Bulgaria will focus on strategic industries, technology and education.
This year's diplomatic reception at the Indonesian Embassy in Sofia was attended by more than 200 guests from the central government, local governments, accomplished business people, education and arts communities, and the Indonesian diaspora in Bulgaria.
The guests were treated to dance performances of West Sumatra and West Kalimantan by Pesona Mawar Nusantara, the strings of Maya Hasan's harp, and the strains of Iskandar Wijaya's violin.
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Beijing, China, promotes Indonesia’s tourism at the Ninth Colorful World-Cultural Exhibition of Countries along the Belt and Road in Shougang Park on Friday (13/9). As reported by rri.co.id, this exhibition, organized by the Beijing Municipal Government, showcases various countries connected by China’s Belt and Road initiative.
The Counselor for Information, Social, and Cultural affairs at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, Dewi Avilia, stated that this is Indonesia’s second participation in the International Exhibition post-Covid-19 pandemic. Indonesia’s participation aimed to raise Chinese awareness of Indonesian tourism, especially the Wonderful Indonesia program.
In The Ninth Colorful World-Cultural Exhibition of Countries along the Belt and Road, the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing promoted five super-priority tourisms designed by the Indonesian Government. The five destinations are Borobudur in Central Java, Toba Lake in North Sumatra, Likupang in North Sulawesi, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, and Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara.
In addition, the Indonesian Embassy also promoted various local products. One of the featured products is agarwood (kayu gaharu), an authentic Indonesian product that attracted visitors. Indonesian food and beverages also drew great interest. Dewi Avilia addedthat the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing even brought the sellers or vendors directly from Indonesia.
Despite thousands of visitors attending, the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing hoped that public interest in Indonesian booths would continue to increase throughout the event. In the previous event, Indonesian booths attracted around 2.000 visitors for five days. Dewi Avilia hopes that this year, the visitors can exceed 2.000 people.
UArtes Gamelan Ensemble led by Dr. Andrey Astaiza showcased their original composition titled "OM", that combines gamelan traditional melody with a modern improvisation. That was stated in the written statement of the Indonesian Embassy in Quito on Monday (16/9).
Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Heri Akhmadi, said that the Jak-Japan Matsuri (JJM) 2024 festival, which was held on the 14th and 15th of September in Jakarta, reflects the friendship between the people of the two countries.
During the opening ceremony of Jak-Japan Matsuri (JJM) 2024 in Jakarta on Saturday evening (14/9), Ambassador Heri Akhmadi stated that the most important aspect of the friendship between two countries or nations is actually reflected by the friendship between the people of those countries.
According to Heri Akhmadi, the brotherly relationship between the people of Indonesia and Japan is key, and the Matsuri is a good way to get to know, appreciate, and respect fellow brothers. He added that a similar event, Matsuri Indonesia 2024, will also be held by the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo on the 17th and 18th of October.
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, Masaki Yasushi, said that this year's JJM became one of the symbols of friendship and cultural exchange between Japan and Indonesia. Ambassador Yasushi explained that JJM 2024 carries the theme ‘Exploring Japan,’ which presents various booths that showcase unique and distinctive products, culinary delights, and culture from various regions in Japan, such as Aichi Prefecture and Fukuoka.
The annual event, which was first held in Jakarta in 2009, serves as a platform for Indonesians and Japanese to deepen their bonds and foster the friendship between the two countries.
Jak-Japan Matsuri features Japanese and Indonesian cultural arts, such as the Mikoshi Parade. Mikoshi, meaning the house of god, is paraded on the shoulders of dozens of people and is usually performed at certain festivals or during the summer. There are also performances from Indonesian artists like JKT48 and Fatin, as well as Japanese performers like Jam Heads, Batten Girls, and DXTEEN.
The angklung art and Mikoshi parade attracted a lot of attention at the event, which also provided a consultation area for those interested in working in Japan.
Photo credit: indonesia.travel
Indonesia won the title of Asia's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination at the 2024 World Travel Awards held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 in Manila, Philippines. This title was previously given to Japan, Thailand, and Sri Lanka in previous years in turn. This year, several other countries nominated for the category of Asia's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination are China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The World Travel Awards is an award event for countries for their excellence in various sectors of the tourism industry. Awards are given annually based on votes from professionals in the travel industry and the general public.
Thanks to its geographical location, Indonesia offers extraordinary natural wealth. From majestic active volcanoes to lush tropical forests, and beautiful coral reefs in the ocean. All of these are the main attractions for adventure tourists. The characteristics and experiences of each adventure tourism object are different in each place, from trekking in the mountains such as Rinjani, to rafting on the fast-flowing rivers of Kalimantan. In fact, Komodo Island offers a rare experience with conservation tourism, where tourists can see Komodo dragons in their natural habitat.
Indonesia doesn’t only rely on its natural beauty, but also continues to innovate in developing authentic adventure tourism experiences. Currently, global travel agents are contributing to promoting adventure tourism in Indonesia. Quoted from Antara, the international travel agent Interpid Travel focuses on direct interaction with local communities and traditional accommodation. They are targeting to increase the number of tourists to Indonesia to 20,000 people in 2030 and 4,000 tourists in 2024, with special tourism in Sulawesi, Raja Ampat, Kalimantan, and Flores.
Photo credit: kemlu.go.id
The Indonesian Embassy in Colombo/ Sri Lanka/ presented a Buddha statue/ a gift from Indonesia to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka/ Dinesh Gunawardena/ in Colombo//
Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives/ Dewi Gustina Tobing/ said/ the statue is a symbol of the deep cultural and spiritual ties that unite the two countries// Dewi explained/ in Indonesia/ Buddha has become a source of inspiration for wisdom// This statue reflects the values of peace/ compassion/ and enlightenment that are the core of Buddhist teachings//
According to a written press statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Colombo received by the Antara state news agency in Jakarta/ Saturday (14/9)/ the statue was given by the Chairman of the Indonesian Theravada Sangha/ Bhikkhu Sri Pannavaro Mahathera/ to be handed over by Ambassador Dewi to Prime Minister Gunawardena for the Dharmayathanaya Vihara in Colombo/ on Thursday (12/9) local time//
Head of Dharmayathanaya Temple/ Bhikkhu Elle Gunawansa Thero/ also witnessed the handover of the statue depicting Buddha in a meditating position//
The Buddha statue was made by an Indonesian sculptor in Muntilan/ near Borobudur Temple in Magelang/ Central Java/ following the basic guidelines for Buddha statues at Mendut Temple//
The statue is made from a block of good quality andesite stone/ weighing one ton and 140 centimeters high//
Regarding the gift of the Buddha statue / Prime Minister Gunawardena expressed his gratitude to Indonesia/ especially the Buddhist community in the country/ for the gift of the high-quality statue//
The gift of the Buddha statue from Indonesia to Sri Lanka symbolizes the good relations and brotherhood between the two countries that have existed since the 8th century//
Photo credit: kemlu.go.id
Today’s Miscellany takes you to the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan, to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Indonesian students from Al-Ya’lu Elementary School in Malang City, East Java province. Theyhave successfully brought honour to the nation in the international arena.
On September 10, 2024, the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan had the honor of receiving a special visit from Al-Ya’lu Elementary School students at the invitation of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan.
They wereinJapan to celebrate their achievement as the first winner in the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Japan - Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Award - SEAMEO Japan-ESD Award 2023. In this prestigious competition, they competed with 115 schools from various countries in Southeast Asia with innovative projects that focus on environmental conservation through renewable energy.
The Coordinator of the Socio-Cultural Information Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Muhammad Al Aulaalongwith the Education and Culture Attaché, Amzul Rifin, stated that this achievement reflects the role of Indonesian champion students as unofficial ambassadors of the country.
According to Al Aula, the students of Al-Ya'lu Elementary School in Malang City have shown the world thatThey have high creativity that is not only benefitsl for the surrounding environment but also contributes to creating a cleaner earth.
Furthermore, Al Aula also emphasized the importance of continuing to work and achieve achievements in various fields. He emphasized that the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo will continue to provide full support for the concrete efforts of the nation's children who can make achievements on the international stage, especially in Japan.
In the SEAMEO Japan-ESD Award 2023, Al-Ya’lu Elementary School stood out with their project in the Environmentally Friendly Behavior Innovation category. A 10-year-old Niki Ilahi along with her friends, managed to amaze the jury with programs,such as bamboo pellets and a micro hydro system for hatching duck eggs.
Their achievements brought a good name not only to the school,but also to Indonesia as a whole, showing that the creativity and environmental awareness of Indonesian children from an early age excels in the international arena.