VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia is trusted again to be the Official Partner Country Hannover Messe 2023. This is a golden opportunity for national branding and encouraging the improvements in Indonesian manufacturing capability and digital infrastructure development. That was stated by Indonesian Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita during the Contract Signing of Indonesia Partner Country Hannover Messe 2023 in Jakarta on Monday (6/12). He further remarked that Hannover Messe 2023 is expected to open the world's eyes about Indonesia's great potential in industry to build partnership towards the 4.0 industry.

The contract signing was done between Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita and Chairman of the Board Deutsche Messe, AG Jochen Köckler. Minister Agus Gumiwang said that Indonesia's participation in Hannover Messe 2023 will strengthen Indonesia-Germany bilateral relations. 

At Hannover Messe, Indonesia can be not only a benchmark towards the latest 4.0 technology, but also a presenter of Indonesia's latest capability in manufacturing technology. The multi-dimensional economy of Indonesia and Germany is not limited to trade and investment. Another strategic sector that supports bilateral economic cooperation is development that includes health, environment, social climate and labor, energy, infrastructure, and transportation. He added that the Hannover Messe 2021 resulted in some business agreements.

This needs to be monitored continuously so that it can be realized. Minister Agus Gumiwang also remarked that during Hannover Messe 2023, Indonesia will prepare itself optimally to showcase the country's industrial capability. Indonesia's participation in Hannover Messe is also to contribute to the post-pandemic global economy.

Meanwhile, German Ambassador to Indonesia, ASEAN, and Timor Leste, Ina Lepel who joined the signing said that Indonesia-Germany bilateral trade has a long history. German industries have been in Indonesia for more than one century. Ambassador Ina Lepel is optimistic that Indonesia-Germany economic relations will be stronger in the next years and decades. The global megatrends, such as electric vehicle, renewable energy, and digitalization offer a great investment potential for both countries.

Cheese is one of the most famous dairy products from Europe. Although famous from Europe, Indonesia also has locally made cheese products. Besides Dangke from Enrekang, South Sulawesi, there is also Dali Ni Horbo from Tapanuli, North Sumatra. In the Batak language, "Dali" means Milk, while "Horbo" means Buffalo. So, it means Buffalo Milk. Indeed, this food is made from buffalo milk. The tradition of processing buffalo milk has been carried out by the ancestors of the Batak people. Dali ni horbo or another name, Bagot ni horbo has become the daily menu of the Batak people and is one of the menus for home cooking.

To make Dali Ni Horbo, the buffalo milk is milked and then processed in the traditional way, without preservatives and chemical substances. After the milk is finished, the milk is boiled for 10 minutes. Then, it is added with pineapple juice and papaya leaves. This method is done to help the milk to thicken while reducing the fishy smell. As the milk boils, the bubbles that are floating on the top are separated and the milk will slowly begin to thicken. After boiling, Dali Ni Horbo can be cooled and ready to eat.

Once cooked, Dali Ni Horbo looks white and solid like tofu with a strong milky aroma. This Dali or Bagot Ni Horbo can be consumed directly because it has gone through the ripening process. However, this Batak Cheese will be even more delicious if it is cooked with arsik spices. Arsik is a typical Batak cuisine that also uses the typical Batak "Andaliman" seasoning. If one day you visit North Sumatra, Dali Ni Horbo can be found around Lake Toba, Samosir Island, Tarutung, Parapat area, and traditional markets in North Sumatra. The price is also affordable, starting from Rp. 5 thousand to Rp. 15 thousand per piece.

A group of students from Universitas Gajah Mada -UGM devised an idea of developing tiles that are capable of generating electricity. This idea succeeded in bringing them to 2nd place in the ITS Eco Business Plan Environation 2021 competition held recently. This idea is motivated by the large number of electricity needs in Indonesia. Currently, the electricity in Indonesia is generated from several sources, such as hydroelectric power, steam power, solar power, wind power and geothermal power. In addition, it is also necessary to use other energy to generate electricity; one of which is through the innovation of electricity-generating tiles.

One of the team members, Bahana explained that in the competition, his team carried a product development concept called ‘Floor Electric Generator (FELECTRIG). Floor Electric Generator is an alternative power generator innovation that utilizes human footsteps. According to Bahana, FELECTRIG is in the form of tiles placed on the floor in various public places, such as tourism attractions, malls, airports, and other crowded places for visitors. This tile can convert the footsteps of people who pass through the floor into electricity which is used for electronic devices, such as lamps.

Bahana added that in the future, they will continue to develop these products. As a result, their products can be more useful, especially in presenting alternative electricity supplies.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in New York held the annual cultural festival that is Indonesian Street Festival (ISF) as the culmination of the 76th anniversary of Indonesian Independence with the theme "Indonesia is Resilient, Indonesia Grows".

Taking place on a hybrid basis, ISF 2021 began with an award ceremony as a form of appreciation to the New York City Government and Indonesian partners, namely the American-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, US-ASEAN Business Council, US Chamber of Commerce, Freeport, FedEx, UPS, Deloitte and Gojek Indonesia for the grant and delivery of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) consisting of 176 ventilators and more than 50 containers containing PCR Test Kits and medical gowns.

In a written statement received in Jakarta, Wednesday (8/12), the Indonesian Consul General in New York, Arifi Saiman delivered his remarks and this was followed by remarks and appreciation to the New York City Government and US businesspeople by Major General TNI Agoes Joesni and thanks from the Chairman of the BUMN Foundation for Indonesia, Harjawan Balaningrath.

Meanwhile, acceptance speeches were delivered by Aissata Deputy Commissioner for Partnership and Operations, MB Camara, New York City Government General Counsel, Sarah Friedman, and President of the American Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, Wayne Forrest.

The ISF 2021 highlighted congratulations from Guruh Soekarnoputra, and Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations in New York, Mahendra Siregar. There were a number of excellent programs and events to promote Indonesian products, culinary, arts and culture in the United States and the world while supporting the livelihoods of the Indonesian Diasporas in the working area of the Consulate General in New York.

The ISF 2021 was also enlivened with music, culture, and cuisine, including direct performance of the Indonesian Consulate General in New York, the Indonesian Gastronomy Association (IGA), Indonesian Culinary Enthusiasts (ICE), and virtually from Swara Mahardika Indonesia, Nusantara Kreasindo, Saung Budaya, and DWP PTRI New York (the Dancing Queens).

All participants who were present also performed Angklung together and Poco-Poco dance.

In addition, there was also a bazaar that served a variety of Indonesian products and cuisines from various business groups, restaurants and the Indonesian Diaspora community on the east coast of the United States. Moreover, there was promotion of Indonesian creative products, such as ornaments and products produced by Micro-Small-and-Medium Enterprises -MSMEs.

The 2021 ISF event was held in collaboration with the Indonesian Consulate General in New York, Permanent Mission of the Republic Indonesia, the Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC and the Indonesian people in New York, especially Perwakrin USA, IDN Greater New York and the Nusantara Foundation.