September 28 - October 2
Transcription
September 28 - October 2
EQUATOR I N D O N E S I A N N E W S -J U LY 2 01 1 , V O L . X I V/07 EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA BELGRADE - SERBIA World Batik Summit September 28 - October 2 - 2011 - Jakarta - Indonesia World Batik Summit 2011 will be held in Jakarta Convention Center on September 28th – October 2nd, 2011. The following activities are the highlight program of World Batik Summit 2011. Int ernat ional Conference The theme for this international conference will be: “Indonesia: Global Home of Batik”. the Program will be include the plenary session and site visit workshops in different representative locations around the city, such as Jakarta Textile Museum, Parang Kencana Workshop. This international conference will be held on September 28th-30th, 2011. Gallery of Honor International Leaders, celebrities, fashion leaders, etc featured in Batik will be featured in the photo gallery (Gallery if Honor). This Gallery will be held on September 28th-30th, 2011. Bat ik Buyers Meet Sellers This program objective is to provide opportunities for international buyers to meet face to face with Indonesian sellers, in order to increase products selling. Exhibit ion This exhibition will be produced as part of the World Batik Summit 2011 presenting all Batik products such as Batik Gallery from Batik collectors, batik art and crafts, batik interiors, batik workshop, jewelry, accessories, fashion, etc. This program will be held on September 28th and October 2nd, 2011. Gala Dinner and Fashion Show The fashion show will be held simultaneously with the Opening Night Gala Dinner. The fashion show will invite top Indonesian and international fashion houses whose works have featured batik such as Deanoor (Malaysia), Kouru (Japan), Saksit (Thailand), Hermes (Paris), Lu Kun (Shanghai/China), Indonesian Designer Ramli, Sebastian Gunawan, Anne Avantie, Carmanita, Bi Batik, Chossy Latu, Parang Kencana. Culture Performance, Angklung, Topeng Cirebon, Bedoyo Dance and Jaipong Dance. Children Performance “I Love Batik”, History of Batik/Operate Story Batik, Slide Show Tribute by Iwan Tirta. This program will be delivered in an Indonesian athmosphere of food and culture, on September 29th, 2011. http://indonesia.worldbatiksummit.com Ambassador’s Note July 2011 Distinguished readers, In this edition, the month of July has been marked through several sport and social activities, all in the spirit of facing the celebration of the 66th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia that will be commemorate next month in August 17, 2011. This is a tradition in all over the Indonesia as well as in many Indonesian communities all over the world, and I am very happy that our Embassy’s activities also has been participated by many respected Embassy’s counterparts, friends from media, as well as members from Friendship Association of Serbia and Indonesia “Nusantara”. In this edition, we are also presenting one of the Indonesia’s export commodities cocoa. Indonesia now is the third largest producer of cocoa in the world after Ghana and the Ivory Coast, and has become a significant supplier of the world’s market and I hope it will also enter the market of Serbia considering that the economy cooperation between Indonesia and Serbia is surely going to increase in the year to come. South, Southeast and West Sulawesi are the main production areas of cocoa in Indonesia that contributed 75% of the total Indonesia’s production. Mostly are exported through the Makassar in South Sulawesi, which is also one of the topic of this edition in the section of Indonesia’s tourism. Last but not least, the month of July also has been marked with the celebration of the Indonesian Children’s Day every 23 of July that was participated by over 70 children from the Indonesian community in Belgrade as well as the children of Embassy counterparts and friends. The celebration of this event was the main part of the ‘Folk’s Festive’ (Pesta Rakyat) and decorated with 100 red and white balloons written with “I LOVE INDONESIA”. On that day, the balloons were released up on the blue sky of Serbia, with the massage of love and hope for the future generation. In this spirit, we also would like to extend special thank to former Editor-in-Chief of the magazine “Equator”, Mrs. Ance Maylany, that has completed her tenure at our Embassy and who had contributed a great effort and passion to every editions of our magazine through 3,5 previous years. On behalf of the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade, we wish her and her family every success in new assignment and always in the spirit of traditional friendship of Indonesia and Serbia. Semuel Samson EDITORIAL BOARD Highlights RI to broach joint ASEAN visa issue at ministerial meeting TNI in Lebanon receives UN peace madals ASEAN, nuclear weapon states to resume talks RI likely to become East Asia auto parts industry base Telkom wins five awards from Finance Asia State budget 2011 records Rp 56,9 trillion surplus Lampung to host Tourism Indonesia Mart & EXPO 2011 Wakatobi opens registration for undersea photo contest Indonesia Pearl Festival 2011 in Jakarta, October 12-16 04 05 07 08 09 10 12 13 15 Focus RI boasting to become economic leader in Asia Bali Cocoa Conference boon to RI’s industry Sail Komodo or Sail Derawan 2013 16 18 20 Business Indonesia’s best export products: Cacao 22 Travel Makassar, South of Sulawesi 24 Embassy Activities facing the celebration of the 66th Independence of the Republic of Indonesia Afternoon gathering with Head of Mission of the ASEAN countries Friendly luncheon with the Serbian press Meeting the Serbian Defense Minister Indonesian student received certificate awarding of the scholarship “The World in Serbia” 26 SUPERVISOR H.E. Semuel Samson EDITOR IN CHIEF Ariana Yulianti BOARD OF EDITORS Zamardi Eko Himawan Col. Agoes Joesni Indah Mekawati Yudi Tetra Mulya RESEARCHERS Eni Diponegoro Friedo Hubert LOGISTIC & DISTRIBUTION Prima Setiani Dono Legowo Published by: Social & Culture Section Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Bulevar kneza Aleksandra Karadjordjevića 18 11040 Belgrade - Serbia Ph. 3674062, 3635666 Fax. 3672984, 3574239 [email protected] www.kemlu.go.id/belgrade 34 34 35 35 PHOTO ON THE COVER: Indonesia is the third largest producer of cocoa in the world after Ghana and the Ivory Coast, and the most significant cocoa bean supplier in East Asia. Indonesia’s biggest competitive advantages include its low cost, high production capacity (availability of supply), efficient infrastructure and open trading/marketing system (business environment). EQUATOR is a compilation of news taken from National News Agency (ANTARA) and other news sources from Indonesia. The contents does not reflect particular policy or position of the Embassy of the Republic Indonesia and its beholders. The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia takes the privilege to sort out news material taken from the above mentioned sources and presented in accordance with the coverage of the materials (political & security, economy, social & culture and international relation issues). Highlights Eighty countries to attend sustainable development CONFAB in Solo Solo, Central Java - As many as 250 delegates from 80 countries has gathered for a “High Level Dialog on the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development (HLD IFSD)” on July 18, 2011. The 250 participants are from 80 countries, 10 UN agencies, 21 major groups and 17 non-governmental organizations The meeting is organized by the United Nations Conference for Sustainable Development (UNCSD) as the organizer of Rio+20 and the Indonesian Government through the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, the environment Minister`s expert staff for economic and sustainable development affairs, Dana A Kartakusuma said. The meeting was opened by Indonesia`s Environment Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta at 9 am on July 19, 2011. He said the dialog was held with the aim of collecting inputs from participants for the development, reform or revitalization of IFSD formulation. He said the results of the meeting would be contributed to the Rio+20 process. The attendants to the high level dialog include decision makers, UN officials and epresentatives from various regional and international organizations with sustainable development portfolio. Others include civil community representatives, researchers and experts for exchange of views. The 250 participants are from 80 countries, 10 UN agencies, 21 major groups and 17 non-governmental organizations. “The Solo meeting is an important step for pushing a more effective environment institutionalization. This was the initiative of Indonesia and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA),” he said. He said through the initiative it was hoped the reform process of of sustainable and environment development at global levels would be started. The importance of the dialog for Indonesia is it is hoped it will revitalize sustainable development efforts not only at global but also national and lo- cal levels. “The Solo meeting will be a historic milestone in the process of sustainable development institutionalization,” he said. He said the meeting would focus on issues related to the IFSD for the consideration of wider institutional reform options namely the strengthening of the international institutional framework for sustainable development. Apart from that, he said, focus would also be given to creating a new umbrella organization for sustainable development, the strengthening of “United Nations Environment Programs” (UNEP) and improvement of international and regional framework for sustainable development. He said the results of the dialog would be put in a report to be made by the Indonesian government with support from the UNSCD secretariat. The document will be used as inputs for the formulation of compilation texts for discussions the second intrameeting for Rio+20 in December 2011, he said. RI to broach joint ASEAN visa issue at ministerial meeting Jakarta - Indonesia has brought up the issue of instituting a joint ASEAN visa system at an ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) on July 16-23, minister said. “The idea to adopt a joint ASEAN visa system for visitors from outside the ASEAN region will be discussed during a Ministerial meeting in Bali. The concept of a joint visa system will resemble the Schengen visa system adhered to by some European countries,” Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said on July 14, 2011. However, the Minister said a joint ASEAN visa system could not be implemented soon because it must be discussed further by related officials in the future. He said the joint ASEAN Visa system would enable visitors from countries outside ASEAN to travel in the ten member countries of ASEAN with a single visa. “We want countries outside ASEAN to 4 Equator - July 2011 see this organization as a single place to visit,” he added. Some ASEAN countries have since 2005 been issuing free visas to visitors from fellow ASEAN member countries. Of the 10 members namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia only the last three countries have not yet implemented the free-visa policy. Earlier, the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) comprised of member tourism organization from the 10-member nations of ASEAN, is busy lobbying their respective governments to adopt a policy of a single visa valid for all ten countries as a critical step of turning ASEAN into a single tourism destination. According to ASEANTA`s Vice-President, Elly Hutabarat, the idea of a single ASEAN visa received widespread support from the governments of the association but has encountered problems in moves towards the actual implementation of the measure due to the varying immigration and visa policies among the 10 countries. Highlights TNI in Lebanon receives UN peace medals Jakarta - The Indonesian military contingent Garuda grouped in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was awarded a UN Peace Medal for its full dedication and responsibility as UN peace keeping force. The peace medal had been given to the 282-member contingent from various units under the command of UNIFIL commander of the Indonesian contingent Col. Yulianta and the representatives of the five task forces. Also presenting the medals was Mission Support Director Girish Sinha, western sector Commander Brig Gen Gualtiero Mario De Cicco and Unifil Military Task Force Commander Rear Admiral Luiz Henrique Caroli. On the occasion, UNIFIL Commander Alberto Asarta Cuevaz congratulated all the members of the Indonesian contingent for their dedication and full responsibility as UN peace keeping force in the Lebanon. He also expressed his pride for the performance and professionalism of the Indonesian contingent members. Commander of Konga XXIII-E/UNIFIL Lt Col Hendy Antariksa told Antara News in Jakarta on July 22, 2011, the peace medal had been given to the 282-member contingent from various units under the command of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). “They included 150 Indo FPC task force personnel, 49 Indo FHQSU task force personnel, 75 East Military Police personnel, seven Indo Medical personnel, and one member of the HQ Staff Maritime Task Force,” he said. Hendy said the medal presentation ceremony took place at Sudirman Square, Camp Green Hill, Naqoura, Southern Lebanon, on July 21, 2011. The medals were presented personally by the UNIFIL Commander to the Military Chief: Defense system must be adjusted Jakarta - Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Admiral Agus Suhartono said the state defense system must be adjusted to developments in presentday defense systems. “As the supreme commander of the TNI, the President has directed us all to adjust the TNI doctrine to present developments,” Agus Suhartono said after the closing of a joint TNI-Singapore Armed Forces/SAF Asean Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief Exercise 2011 in Depok, West Java, on July 14, 2011. He said that strategic and general defense policies in all forces, namely the Air Force, the Army and the Navy, of the TNI should be adjusted. This is because defense strategies and systems should follow present developments. “The defense system has changed so that the old one should be revised,” the TNI Chief said in response to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s directives that asked the TNI to adjust itself to the present defense and pattern system. On the occasion, the TNI Chief closed the TNI-SAF exercise at the headquarters of the Infantry Division I of the Army`s Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) in Cilodong, Depok West Java. “We hope that this exercise which is initiated by both nations will have strategic impact on wider areas, namely at the ASEAN level and in other regions,” the Indonesian TNI Chief said. He said it should be realized that the world was experiencing a global warming and climate change that caused natural disasters. Agus said that in the handling of a natural disaster the military elements had always been ready to carry out fast, accurate and massive handling. This is because military personnel are supported with relatively enough equipment, yet (the success) is inseparable from the people`s participation, he said. “Disasters do not see the size (whether big or small) of a country. Therefore, the TNI and SAF conducted a joint exercise that will be made a model for other countries in the ASEAN region,” he said. Equator - July 2011 5 Highlights FM hopes Thai-Cambodia’s peace negotiation continue Jakarta - Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said that he expected the peace negotiation between Thailand and Cambodia would continue. The Minister made the statement on July 14, 2011, in response to recent government change in Thailand where Puea Thai party that supported Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra, as Prime Minister won the election. “We expect the newly formed Government will continue to show a positive attitude to solve the border conflict with Cambodia,” said Marty. Earlier, Cambodia also stated its positive response towards the election victory in neighboring Thailand which was won by allies of fugitive former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who has strong links with Phnom Penh. Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said he hoped the new Thai Government, led by Thaksin`s sister Yingluck Shinawatra, would help resolve a long and sometimes bloody border dispute between the neighbouring countries. “It`s obvious we cannot hide that we are happy with the Puea Thai Party`s victory,” Hor Namhong told reporters in the Cambodian capital. “We hope that the new Government that will emerge from the Puea Thai Party will resolve problems with Cambodia in a more positive and peaceful way” than the previous Government, he said. The border between the two nations has never been fully demarcated and two episodes of fierce fighting between their armies along the frontier earlier this year left at least 28 people dead. A major flash-point is the ancient Preah Vihear temple, with both sides claiming ownership of a small patch of land near the ruins. RI-US civil societies partner to strengthen democracy Jakarta - Indonesian, American and Southeast Asian civil society organizations built four partnerships to support independent Media and to increase women`s political representation, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero said. Other two partnerships had to do with the effort to improve access to elections for people with disabilities in addition to strengthening regional human rights institutions, he said in a release made available to Antara on July 20, 2011. “Indonesia has a lot to offer to the rest of the world, and we welcome the opportunity to support stronger democracy, better governance and greater respect for human rights throughout the region,” said Otero at the first IKATU.S. Annual Partner Conference. Otero noted that the IKAT-U.S. initiative provided an opportunity for Indonesian civil society organizations to weave partnerships with American and Southeast Asian counterparts into a tapestry of improved democracy, governance and human rights in the region. As part of the $17 million, three-year IKAT-U.S. initiative, the U.S. Government is supporting partnerships led by the Indonesian Association for Media Development (PPMN), Partnership for 6 Equator - July 2011 Governance Reform, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), and the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI). The four partnerships will work to develop mass media as a civic educational tool, increase women`s political representation, improve access to elections for people with disabilities, and encourage lawyers to work with civil society organizations to strengthen regional human rights institutions, respectively. Under Secretary Otero is in Indonesia to join Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Bali for meetings July 23-24 of the Joint Commission of the Indonesia-U.S. Comprehensive Partnership. As part of those meetings, Under Secretary Otero will co-chair sessions of the Democracy and Civil Society Working Group. Highlights ASEAN Chief: South China Sea accord “momentous and historical landmark” Jakarta - The agreement on the Guidelines on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea is a “momentous and historic” landmark, according to ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan. Dr Surin and Yang agreed that 2011 is an important year for ASEAN and China, as it marks the 20th anniversary of bilateral ties It was also a reflection that the ASEAN Regional Forum worked, the ASEAN Secretariat said in a press statement posted on its official website. Dr Surin Pitsuwan and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met at the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting in Bali, cochaired by Viet Nam and China. Minister Yang Jiechi, meanwhile, described the agreement as a “very important” landmark. “China will actively coop- erate with ASEAN in the drafting of the Code of Conduct,” said Yang. Quoting from the Chinese saying that “a thousand mile journey begins with the first step”, he stressed that it was an important first step by China and ASEAN “towards practical cooperation, and building mutual trust”. The announcement of the agreement on the Guidelines on July 20, 2011, made headlines across the Asia-Pacific, with many media analysing its importance and impact to peace and stability in the South China Sea. Dr Surin and Yang agreed that 2011 is an important year for ASEAN and China, as it marks the 20th anniversary of bilateral ties. A series of celebratory activities have been planned in Beijing and ASEAN. Dr Surin pointed out that the focus to bring the celebrations to the people, dovetails with Indonesia`s emphasis on a people-centred ASEAN. On the future of bilateral relations, Dr Surin and Yang agreed that an important cornerstone in its relations is the exchange among our youth - especially the exchange of students between ASEAN and China. Both leaders are also looking forward to a successful Summit this year to wrap up the celebrations. Yang noted that for the first decade of this millennium, China and ASEAN have jointly achieved the biggest freetrade area of the developing world, and the two sides should build on this and aim for another landmark achievement in the second decade. The upbeat sentiments were also expressed by Viet Nam`s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem. Indonesia is the Chair of ASEAN this year, and Jakarta has virtually pulled out all stops to make sure its Chairmanship is a meaningful one. ASEAN, nuclear weapon states to resume talks Nusa Dua, Bali - Ten ASEAN member countries are scheduled to resume talks with five nuclear weapon states early in August, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said on July 18, 2011. “Both sides will discuss points of objection that have been issued by nuclear weapon states to ASEAN about the implementation of free nuclear zone treaty in the Southeast Asia region signed by the latter,” the Minister said after receiving a report about the meeting result of the Commission of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty in Bali on Monday morning (18/07). Marty expressed appreciation to the latest development arguing that the negotiations between members of SEANWFZ and five nuclear weapon states came to a deadlock during the past years especially on access of the latter to the treaty. SEANWFZ is an joint treaty between the ASEAN ten member states to secure the Southeast Asia region from the use of nuclear weapons. The treaty was signed in 1995 and went into force as of March 1997. The treaty obliged ASEAN member states not to develop, produce, buy or posses nuclear weapons. Members are also urged not to ask or receive any assistance in the form of nuclear weapons from third countries. The SEANWFZ protocol itself calls on the five nuclear weapon states namely Russia, United Kingdom, France, China and the United States to respect the SEABWFZ treaty and not use or threat members of SEANWFZ with nuclear weapons. The protocol is expected to be signed by the five nuclear weapon states but so far none of them has signed. The points of objection from the five countries are the zone of application of the SEANWFZ, sovereignty factor and insurance not to use nuclear weapons against countries without nuclear weapons. Equator - July 2011 7 Highlights BKPM optimistic Rp240 trillion investment target to be reached Jakarta - The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) is optimistic its investment target of Rp240 trillion for this year can be In the first half of 2011 consisting of domestic investment worth Rp33 trillion and foreign investment worth Rp82.6 trillion achieved although the first-semester investment inflows reached Rp115.6 trillion or 48.16 percent. Normally, investment inflows are slow in the first and second quarters but they would revive in the following six months, BKPM Chief Gita Wirjawan said on July 21, 2011. “The tradition goes like that. Investment will reach its peak in the third and fourth quarters,” he said. Data from the BKPM show investment reached Rp115.6 trillion in the first half of 2011 consisting of domestic investment worth Rp33 trillion and foreign investment worth Rp82.6 trillion. “Compared to the same period the year before domestic investment soared 50.7 percent and foreign investment rose 16.2 percent. This is enough to reflect an increase in investment inflows in the two following quarters,” he said. A number of countries such as South Korea and India were very enthusiastic in investing in Indonesia. They were expect- ed to overtake other countries in terms of foreign investment in Indonesia, he said. In the first half of 2011, West Java remained the biggest destination of foreign investment with US$2 billion, followed by Jakarta US$1.5 billion, Papua US$0.8 billion, Banten US$0.8 billion and South Sumatra US$0.5 billion. “Papua and South Sumatra emerged as new players in terms of attracting foreign investment. This suggests that investment is no longer concentrated in Java,” he said. Overall, the infrastructure and manufacturing sectors were recorded as the biggest recipients of foreign and domestic investments. RI likely to become East Asia auto parts industry base Jakarta - The inceasingly bright growth prospects of Indonesia`s automotive market are boosting the Government`s belief that the country can eventually become a car parts industry base for East Asia, Chief Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa said. “If we consistently entertain the idea that Indonesia is an ideal place for automotive companies to base their car parts industries in, and continue to maintain our automotive market growth, it is not impossible that in the not too distant future our automotive industry will become the biggest not only in Southeast Asia but East Asia,” the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs said here on July 22, 2011. He made the statement in his address opening the 19th Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2011. But Indonesia could become a strong automotive parts industry base in the world and maintain its bargaining position as such only if it could forge a good connectivity between automotive and infrastructure industries, heighten efficiency at production levels and ensure the continuity of industrial feed stock supply lines, he said. “Therefore, cooperation is needed between business and the government. This is good for the self-reliance and resilience of our automotive industry,” he said. 8 Equator - July 2011 Hatta also said Indonesia should draw maximum benefit from its present position as the Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and as the coordinator of the integration of the automotive sectors of ASEAN member countries - an area being prioritized in the formation of an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015. “This is a good momentum for Indonesia to accelerate its automotive industry development,” he said. Meanwhile, Bambang Trisulo, Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo), said he was optimistic Indonesia could become a strong automotive parts industry base for East Asia. “I believe for 80 percent that we can achieve it so long as we can carry out what Hatta has outlined,” Bambang told Antara. He said Japan as the biggest automotive producer in Asia had become more aware of the risks of keeping its car parts industry in Japan following the recent earthquake and tsunami there and might relocate its production facilities to Indonesia. Another country that was eyeing Indonesia as a possible base for its auto parts industry was South Korea, and so was China, according to Bambang. Highlights RI to make efforts to increase exports Jakarta - Indonesia will seek efforts including through cooperation between Government ministries and private parties to increase exports, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said. “We expect exports would reach US$200 billion in value at the end of this year”, said Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu compliance to companies in the regions. With regard to export products from Indonesia the Dutch Government has also received aid in the form of various programs worth around 120 million euros to improve quality of fishery export products to the European Union countries. “They (the EU including the Netherlands) have an interest in assuring that the Indonesian products entering the region meet their standard,” Fisheries Minister Fadel Mu- hammad said after the signing of a Letter of Commitment between Indonesia and the Netherlands last July 7, 2011. Fadel said the cooperation covered a number of programs such as in the field of foreign marketing management. He referred as an example a training center in Surabaya which receives training for companies wishing to export fishery products to the European Union. “We expect exports would reach US$200 billion in value at the end of this year,” she said at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of trade, the Ministry of industry and the Association of Indonesian Businessmen (Apindo) on July 11, 2011. She said the Government would also conduct a number of programs for small businesses on training and export development. She said she hoped companies would also focus on their social compliance or the concept of social responsibility borne by the companies. She reminded about possible negative reactions towards the products of the companies unless they conduct social compliance. The Government will also coordinate with stakeholders to conduct activities aimed at promoting Indonesian export products at international forums. After the signing of the MOU the Directorate General of National Export Development would spread the information about social Telkom wins five awards from Finance Asia Telkom is the only telecommunications company in Indonesia which is entitled to receive the prestigious awards Jakarta - State telecommunications operator won five awards from Finance Asia magazine for the categories of Asia`s Best Managed Company, Best Corporate Governance, Best Investor Relations, Best Corporate Social Responsibility, and Most Committed to a Strong Dividend Policy. “Telkom is the only telecommunications company in Indonesia which is entitled to receive the prestigious awards,” Head of Telkom Corporate Communica- tions Affairs Eddy Kurnia said in a press statement issued on July 28, 2011. The awards which constituted the world-class media`s recognition of Telkom`s performance would motivate the ranks and files of PT Telkom to do for the best so that they could maintain the awards in the years to come, he said. The awards were based on the results of polling and interviews with around 300 investors in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. Unlike other polling methods using questioners, the Asia Best Companies Poll, Finance Asia, interviewed informants to get first hand information, he said. He made it clear in 2010 Telkom carried out a number of strategic agenda and showed solid growth and even in several sectors better-than-expected growth. “We believe that the existing capacity will be able to encourage us to achieve sustainable growth as well as to adapt to the dynamic of telecommunication industry,” he said. The achievements were part of Telkom`s commitment to transform itself to enable Indonesia to face the new world era of telecommunication, information, media and edutainment. Equator - July 2011 9 Highlights State budget 2011 records Rp56.9 trillion surplus Jakarta - The 2011 state budget up to May 31, 2011, recorded a surplus of Rp56.9 trillion because the amount of revenues realized during the period was bigger than the amount of expenditure, the Finance Minister said. “The state budget also booked a funding surplus of Rp120.3 trillion and in the first semester it is predicted to have a surplus of Rp36.8 trillion and unspent financing of Rp104.1 trillion,” Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo told a hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR) on July 4, 2011. He said that up to May the state revenues totaled Rp421.1 trillion while its expenditure amounted to Rp364.2 trillion. It is estimated that in the first semester revenues would reach Rp498.3 trillion and state expenditures estimated at Rp461.5 trillion. The biggest state revenues were contributed by receipts from the tax sector at Rp386.7 trillion or 45.5 percent of the budget target in the first semester. Up to May 31, 2011, it reached Rp326.6 trillion. “Receipts from the tax sector were improving because the country`s economic conditions were supportive, high Indonesian crude prices, increase by “Receipts from the tax sector were improving because the country`s economic conditions were supportive, high Indonesian crude prices, increase by average five percent of the tobacco customs tax, harmonized tariff policies and relatively good crude palm oil prices in the world market,” the minister said average five percent of the tobacco customs tax, harmonized tariff policies and relatively good crude palm oil prices in the world market,” the Minister said. In the meantime, the realization of the central Government spending which was believed to dominate the state expenditure was expected to reach Rp263.3 trillion or 31.5 percent of state budget target, which up to may had reached Rp212.7 trillion. Spending on civil servants dominated the the central government`s expenditure at Rp67.7 trillion and it is estimated to reach Rp85.9 trillion of the target at Rp180.8 trillion at the end of the first semester. Spending on capital expenditure was still seen lower at Rp13.6 trillion, of the estimate in the first semester of Rp20.5 trillion while the target was set at Rp135.9 trillion. The Minister also mentioned that the prognosis of the state revenues in the second semester would exceed the estimate of Rp664.1 trillion. Govt revises 2011 growth assumption upwards Jakarta - The Indonesian government has raised the economic growth assumption for the revised 2011 State Budget from 6.4 percent to 6.5 percent in view of the improved performance of exports and investment. “The growth is projected at 6.5 percent which is higher that the assumption in the 2011 budget because improving world economic growth and trade volume would boost exports and investment in the country,” Deputy Minister of Finance Anny Ratnawati said at a meeting with House Commission XI on July 6, 2011. She said the Government would also change several macro-assumptions such as inflation from 5.3 percent to 6.0 percent, rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar from Rp9,250 to Rp8,800 and the rate for three-month SPN (treasury securities) from 6.5 percent to 5.6 percent. She said the ICP (Indonesia crude price) would also be revised from US$80 per barrel to US$95 while oil lifting from 970,000 to 945,000 barrels a day. 10 Equator - July 2011 She said the change in assumptions was made due to increasing prices of international commodities that would raise the rate of inflation in the world including Indonesia. “The rupiah exchange rate also tends to rise in the first semester due to positive balance of payment performance,” she said. Anny said by the end of 2011 it is predicted public consumption would grow five percent, investment 9.5 percent, exports 14.1 percent and imports 17.3 percent. She said several sectors recorded growth which was higher than earlier predicted for the national budget such as processing industries as a result of increasing exports. She said the transportation and telecommunications sectors also grew driven by increasing use of cellphones and internet services and the number of air passengers. “The processing industries grew 4.9 percent which is higher that the early assumption of 4.5 percent and so did transportation and telecommunications sectors which grew 13.3 percent compared to earlier assumption of 12.9 percent,” she said. She said the increasing price of oil in 2011 would also boost the mining sector while forecast that the weather has come to normal as well as various other policies for improving agricultural productivity are expected to increase growth in the sector. “So the 2011 gross domestic growth projection will be the highest since the crisis in 1997/1998,” she said. Bank Indonesian Governor Darmin Nasution meanwhile said the economic growth in 2011 could still be driven higher to 6.6 percent because the climate conditions are not too extreme while economic atmosphere is improving. “Our economic growth does change much. We saw economic growth could still reach 6.6 percent so that it is still too conservative if it is set at only 6.5 percent. It can reach 6.6 percent if we would push it,” he said. Highlights Govt to build four sugar mills in East Java Surabaya, East Java - The Government will soon build four sugar mills in East Java as part of efforts to raise national sugar production. The sugar mills would be built in Bojonegoro, Tuban, Lamongan, and Madura which had the potential to develop sugarcane plantations, Vice Agriculture Minister Bayu Krisnamurti said following a meeting with East Java Governor Soekarwo on July 12, 2011. The Government has set the target of national sugar production at 5-5.5 million tons per year. The country now produces 2.5-3 million tons of sugar per year. To achieve the target, the Govern- ment has adopted a number of policies, including allocating Rp9 trillion in funds for the revitalization of sugar mills across the country. “Only Rp1.5 trillion of the funds has been absorbed so many sugar mills have not been revitalized,” he said. He said the Government also had allocated Rp55-60 billion in funds for the development of sugarcane seedling. Governor Soekarwo suggested that the four sugar mills be built far from the existing sugar mills. The presence of the four sugar mills would hopefully encourage the existing sugar mills to improve their competitiveness, he said. The Government has set the target of national sugar production at 5-5.5 million tons per year. The country now produces 2.5-3 million tons of sugar per year “Therefore, we have signed a contract with the management of the four sugar mills to produce sugar with a sucrose content of 8 percent. Otherwise, they will not be allowed to operate. By doing so, the existing sugar mills will increase their productivity to be able to compete with the new sugar mills,” he said. Equator - July 2011 11 Highlights ASEAN Foundation signed MoU on institutional cooperation with UGM Jakarta - The ASEAN Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Institutional Cooperation with the University of Gadjah Mada (UGM), the Jakarta-based foundation said in a press statement on July 5, 2011. Signed by Dr. Makarim Wibisono, the ASEAN Foundation Executive Director, and UGM Rector Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, the MOU will be a basis for further collaborative programs between the ASEAN Foundation and the Yogyakarta based university on mutually agreed areas of interest to achieve common missions and objectives. One article in the Memorandum of Understanding stipulates that “Both Parties agreed to develop and implement joint partnerships with regard to capacity-building initiatives and other forms of activities that will benefit key sectors in the region and eventually contribute to building the ASEAN Community”. The ASEAN Foundation as one of leading regional institutions in Asia is mandated by the ASEAN Member States to, among others, enhance interaction among ASEAN peoples, develop quality human resources, address social-economic issues in the region, and promote close collaboration among the business sector, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders of ASEAN. The University of Gadjah Mada is a leading academic institution in Southeast Asia. Founded in 1949, the UGM has become the oldest state university in Indonesia and has now become a stateowned legal entity since 2007. It aspires to promote excellent teaching-learning opportunities and research-based community service that dedicates to contribute to the building process of socioculture of Indonesian society. Lampung to host Tourism Indonesia Mart & EXPO 2011 Jakarta - Lampung province will host the 17th Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) on October 12-14, 2011 at the Novotel Hotel in the provincial capital of Bandarlampung. TIME is the only contract trade show in Indonesia where Indonesian tourism product sellers and buyers meet under a computerized appointment system, the director of domestic promotion at the Culture and Tourism Ministry, M. Faried said on July 4, 2011. He said TIME had been included in the regular agenda of international travel mart with high transaction value. 12 Equator - July 2011 The event was last held in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara province, in 2010 when US$17.5 million worth of transactions were signed. The figure is expected to increase by up to 20 percent this year. “The holding of TIME in Lampung will have a positive impact on crosssectoral development and open the tourism potential of the province,” he said at a press briefing here on Monday (04/07). Meity Robot of the Indonesia Tourism Society shared Faried`s view saying TIME had a positive impact on the development of infrastructures in the province which had hosted the event. The Head of the marketing division at the Lampung provincial culture and tourism office, Siti Fajariah said the local tourism authorities were developing infrastructures to support the holding of the event in the province. “The Lampung provincial culture and tourism office will take advantage of the event to promote its 5 key tourist destinations. They are Mount Anak Krakatau, Tanjung Setia, Kiluan Bay, Way Kambas National Park, and Siger tower,” she said. Highlights Wakatobi opened registration for undersea photo contest Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi - The Tourism and Culture Service of Wakabobi district, Southeast Sulawesi, has opened registration for participants of an undersea photo contest. “We are now opening registration beginning today. A number of pho- The contest is also open for world class photographers from various countries. Since the opening the international event, more than 70 participants have registered tographers from various regions in Indonesia have registered to take part in the undersea photo contest,” Head of Wakatobei Tourism and Culture Service Tawakal said on July 3, 2011. He said the theme of the photo contest was “The Beauty of Under Water World Coral Reef Triangle”. It will be held as part of the Sail Wakatobi Belitong activities whose opening would be entered in Wakatobi. The participants of the contest were begun took pictures under water after the Sail Wakatobi Belitong Sail is launched by the Minister for Maritime and Fisheries on July 16, 2011. He said that the contest was also open for world class photographers from various countries. Since the open- ing the international event, more than 70 participants have registered, he said. The Marine Affairs and Fishery Ministry`s Director General of marine and fishery sources supervision concurrently the Sail Wakatobi-Belitong organizing Committee Secretary, Syahrin Abdurrahman said earlier the Sail 2011 event has six main activities. The activities are a yacht rally, a civic mission of Bhakti Surya Bhaskara Jaya, national and international seminars on marine and fishery sources management, archipelagic youth marine cross, marine and fishery product exhibitions, and the peak event which will be attended by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The Sail Wakatobi-Belitong 2011 will be organized for six weeks, since the second week of July until the fourth week of August. The Yacht Rally started in Darwin, Australia, on July 23, and they will pass 21 districts/cities in Indonesia, and finally finish in Singapore. The Bhakti Surya Baskara Jaya Operation will be carried out in six provinces, namely Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung (Sumatra Island), West Kalimantan, Gorontalo, Southeast Sulawesi and South Sulawesi. FIFA President congratulated new PSSI Chairman Jakarta - FIFA President Sepp Blatter sent a congratulatory letter to Djohar Arifin Hussein, the newly elected Chairman of the All-Indonesia Football Association (PSSI). The letter was addressed to the Chairman of the Indonesian National Sport Committee (KONI) to congratulate the election of Djohar Arifin Husin, KONI Spokeman Yongki said on July 13, 2011. Blatter in the letter that he signed, expressed gratitude on behalf of FIFA for the smooth implementation of the PSSI extraordinary congress held in Solo, Central Java, last Saturday (09/07). Sepp Blatter hoped that the new PSSI leadership could get supports from everybody. Djohar Arifin Hussein, former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport Affairs, was elected as the new Chairman of the PSSI for the 2011-2015 period. In the second round of voting, Djohar who is known to be close to the majority voters or Group 78, got 61 votes, defeating Agusman Effendi who collected 38 votes, while one delegate abstained. Djohar`s election in an extraordinary congress in Solo, Central Java, on Saturday (09/07), ended fierce disputes over the sport association`s leadership so far. He said his short-term priority is preparing the national team for the coming Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) with a target of winning the champion title. The Games will be held in Palembang, South Sumatra, and Jakarta. Farid Rahman was elected as the new vice general chairman of PSSI. He gained 51 votes against Erwin Aksa who collected 48 votes out of the total 99 votes in the PSSI extraordinary congress which was organized by the PSSI Normalization Committee (KN) led by Agum Gumelar. Duet Djohar Arifin Hussein - Farid Rahman both of the majority voters or Group 78 of the PSSI congress, replaced the previous PSSI leadership duet Nurdin Halid- Nirwan Bakrie. Equator - July 2011 13 Highlights Indonesia Fashion Week to be held in February 2012 Jakarta - The Government will organize an Indonesian Fashion Week in February 2012 to promote the country`s fashion products, an official said. “Indonesia Fashion Week is not just a fashion show, it will offer garments as well as other products such as shoes, handicrafts, etc” Euis Saedah, the Organizing Committee Chairperson of the Indonesian Creative Product Week (PPKI) concurrently the industry ministry`s small and medium scale industry (IKM) Director General, said. The Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) is part of a series of activities to promote and build Indonesia`s fashion brand. “In the future, the IKM Director General will focus on fashion and try to develop a national fashion brand, but its name is still kept secret,” she said. The IFW will feature Indonesian fashion products both contemporary and ethnic. The IFW implementation will be financed by the State Budget as well as business associations, she said. “There are also offers made by Indonesian representatives overseas to hold IFW in Qatar and New York. In New York, the expo venue will be provided for free. The models will be students in the United States,” Euis said. Some 13 countries to join Pangandaran International Kite Festival Bandung, West Java - A total of 13 countries including Indonesia took part in an International Kite Festival 2011 at Pangandaran beach in West Java on July 16-17 this year. “Besides 34 clubs from 10 provinces in Indonesia, several other clubs from 12 countries have took part in the Pangandaran International Kite Festival 2011,” West Java Tourism Office Spokesman Agus Saputra said on July 13, 2011.. He said the foreign participants would come from Japan, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Vietnam, India, the United States, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, New Zealand, and the Philippines. A number of world-renowned kite fliers who took part in the International Kite Festival are among others Pieter Linn of New Zealand, and Elgi Ohasi and Eiko Ohasi of Japan. Pieter Linn has proven his kite-flying capability by creating the world`s largest kite to break the record in the Guinness Book of Records while Elgi and Eiko Ohasi are known for having flown the world`s longest flat kite. 14 Equator - July 2011 Meanwhile, Committee Coordinator for foreign participants, Liana, said the International Kite Festival 2011 would be a lively event, participated in by world-class kite fliers who would come up with new creations. “The Pangandaran International Kite Festival this year is special because the participants with world qualification will fly their kites with lamps at night,” Liana said. She said the kite contest would be divided among others into competition category of two and three dimensions, rokaku compe- tition, trend competition, traditional competition, and sport kites. Besides, the organizing committee will also exhibit a 100-meter Bali dragon kite, the Ipin and Upin kites, and Si Cepot pigeon kite that have won various contests and festivals. “We want to exhibit the kites with world reputation at Bunga Bandung Palace to introduce them to kite-loving children and to motivate them to get familiar with various kinds of kites,” Liana said. Highlights Indonesia Pearl Festival 2011 in Jakarta, October 12-16 Jakarta - The Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry in cooperation with the Indonesian Pearl Cultivation Association (ASBUMI) will organize an Indonesian Pear Festival 2011. The festival also supported by the association of wives of the Ministry`s employees Dharma Wanita, will be held in Jakarta from October 12 to 16, 2011, according to a press statement of the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) on July 22, 2011. The event is aimed at promoting businesses and commodity branding of Indonesian pearls. Indonesia is a producer of South Sea Pearl (SSP) resulted from Pinctada maxima shell with cultivation centers in various regions. SSP Indonesia is often seen as unique pearls for their colors and stunning glittery which are on high demands internationally. According to the Ministry`s data, Indonesia`s pearls dominate 53 percent of the world`s pearl production reaching up to 12 tons of pearls annually, and five tons of them are for exports. The country has set a target of national pearl production from 5.7 tons in 2010 to seven tons in 2011, among other things to make use of the pearl price hike in international markets from five US dollars per gram in 2010 to 16 US dollars per gram in 2011. The Government also plans to boost pearls production in major pearl producing regions such as North Maluku, West Papua, North Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Of the total national pearl production of 5.7 tons in 2010, around 95 percent or 5.5 tons were exported to Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, and Tahiti. Indonesia`s pearl exports valued at US$30 million in 2010, or far from the world`s total value estimated at around US$1.5 billion annually. To protect the local pearl business, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad had banned Chinese pearl import amounting to three tons because the quality is below the Indonesian National Standard (SNI). 50 world musicians joined ASEAN Jazz Festival in Batam Batam, Riau Islands - Around 50 world musicians took part in an ASEAN Jazz Festival being held in Batam on July 22 and 23, 2011. “There are about 50 musicians from eight countries participating in the jazz festival in Batam,” Dwiki Dharmawan of the ASEAN Jazz Festival organizing committee said. Among the top musicians are Natasha Patamapongs from Thailand, Jeremy Tordjman from France and Sandra Lim-Viray and Jun Viray, a couple from the Philippines. National jazz musicians taking part in the festival include Dwiki Darmawan Quartet, Iga Mawarni, Nita Aartsen Quattro, Iwan Abdie and Yeppi Romero Acoustic Smile. Some local bands such as Cleo, Chetnique and Al Capone are also scheduled to perform in the event. “Besides, there is also Ligro jazz group consisting of Gusti Hendy, Agam Hamzah, and Adi Darmawan. They will perform heavy jazz rock,” Dwiki Darmawan said. Raseno, an official of the tourism and culture ministry, said that the musicians performed on three stages at Harbour Bay, Batam. Two stages are located inside restaurants called Sea Jazz and Jazz Walk, and the main stage is located in front of Wonderful Indonesia restaurant. The organizing committee has also organized a bazaar for the Fourth ASEAN Jazz Festival souvenirs. The jazz festival is open to the public free of charge. Deputy Governor of Riau Islands Soerya Respationo said the ASEAN Jazz Festival was expected to help promote Batam tourism internationally, as Indonesia is currently the ASEAN Chair for 2011. Equator - July 2011 15 Focus RI boasting to become economic leader in Asia by Andi Abdussalam Jakarta - With a view on developments in both external and internal economic factors, Government officials are convinced that Indonesia will in the future become one of the economic leaders in Asia. “Looking at our performance in economic development over the past several years, we believe that we will be one of the seven countries predicted to become the economic leaders in Asia by 2050,” Development Planning Minister Alisjahbana said. Indonesia at present had been ranked 17th on the list of the world`s biggest economies, exceeding the positions of several advanced states such as Switzerland, Norway, Sweden and South Africa The Minister said the other six other countries were China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and South Korea. This is based on an Asian Development (ADB) study showing that in 2050 Asia would become the center of growth. “Asia is dynamic so that 2050 will be the Asian Century where 50 percent of the world economy will be centered in Asia,” the Minister said. In order to create the Asian century in 2050, countries in Asia should support it with integrated national policies and regional cooperation. “Indonesia already has a Master Plan, something that is needed to help realize the Asian Century in 2050. Chief Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa said that its presence in the global economic gravitation, namely in East Asia and Southeast Asia, necessitated Indonesia to prepare itself to become a new advanced country. In this context, the Government was aware of the need to prepare a plan so that it formulated its Master Plan for Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia`s Economy (MP3EI) that would serve as a guide for economic development until 2025. Among the targets Indonesia has set in the Master Plan is to achieve a per capita income of about 15,500 US dollars in 2025, a big increase from the present 3,000 US dollars. 16 Equator - July 2011 If the state has reached a per capita income of 10,000 US dollars it would mean that the country has been included in the group of high-income nations, National Economic Committee Chairman Chairul Tanjung said meanwhile. Hatta said that Indonesia at present had been ranked 17th on the list of the world`s biggest economies, exceeding the positions of several advanced states such as Switzerland, Norway, Sweden and South Africa, the National Mandate Party politician (PAN) said. Yet, he said that the target that would be achieved through the Master Plan was too low because Indonesia could achieve higher than that. “If we make serious efforts we can achieve two folds of the target set for the 2025,” Chairul Tanjung said in a Seminar on the national entrepreneurship spirit at the office of the nation`s largest Muslim organization NU on July 9, 2011. Chairul said that in the MP3EI the Government set a target to achieve a per capita income between 14,250 and 15,500 US dollars. “The per capita income of the Indonesian people in 2010 had reached 3,000 US dollars,” he said. Chairul who is owner of Para Group said that the Government`s target of 15,500 US dollars could be achieved before 2025. “This is a high income category, before 2025 Indonesia would already have an income per capita of 14,250 15,500 US dollars,” he added. Chief Economic Minister Hatta concurred with Chairul said that Indonesia should not wait for 40 years in developing an innovation drive economy. He said that the Government needed to formulate steps in order to accelerate the creation of an advanced state with a world-class competitiveness. The global and domestic economic dynamism necessitated Indonesia to prepare itself in the face of changes. In 2010, the Indonesian per capita income was recorded at over US$3000. This means that it is now time for Indonesia to shift to efficiency driven economy, he said. “The international communities have given Indonesia a positive appreciation for the economic improvement it has made,” the Minister said. He said that Indonesia was able to improve the rate of its external debt position which experienced a decline at a time when others` debts were increasing. “But what we have achieved now turned out to take us 40 years if we calculated what we have planned since the 60s,” Hatta Rajasa said. Seeing the dynamism of the Indonesian economy, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs said that Indonesia should not wait for another 40 years to achieve its economic goals. After all, external economic conditions such as the slow recovery of the global economy after crisis in the past several years, place Indonesia as one of the countries in Asia which would attract foreign investors. Economic Analyst of PT First Asia Capital Ifan Kurniawan said the good chance for the Indonesian economy to attract foreign investors to place their funds in the domestic market. Indonesia is predicted to become a basis seen by investors as a good place for their business production relocation, Ifan said. Moreover, foreign investors have made their investments not only in the stock exchange, money market, government bonds and instruments of the central bank (Bank Indonesia) but also in the infrastructure sector, he said. Asia is dynamic so that 2050 will be the Asian Century where 50 percent of the world economy will be centered in Asia He said that because foreign investment was predicted to increase, it was also predicted that the country`s economic growth would also increase and improve the people`s income. This favorable situation is driven by the conditions in other countries in Asia such as China where production cost is increasing and India which is experiencing high inflation and high interest rates that pose difficulties for investors to make investment. Apart from that Vietnam even underwent inflation up to 11 percent, Ifan said. Focus Equator - July 2011 17 Focus Bali Cocoa Conference boon to RI`s industry by Otniel Tamindael Jakarta - The Indonesian International Cocoa Conference (IICC) in Bali from July 7-8, 2011 has held a positive impact on the domestic cocoa industry. This belief is based on the fact that Indonesia is now producing cocoa beans in such a large quantity that it has replaced Ivory Coast as the world`s largest cocoa producer and exporter. The Chairman of the Conference`s Organizing Committee, Antonius Pasaribu, said in Nusa Dua, Bali, on July 13, 2011, that the 5th Indonesian International Cocoa Conference and Dinner 2011 would be held to discuss the latest developments in the cocoa industry. The Indonesian Government in mid 2008 announced a large national program to revitalize the cocoa industry, known as Gernas Pro Kakao. Since the announcement of the Gernas Pro Kakao program, West Sulawesi Governor Anwar Adnan Saleh expressed optimism early this year that his province was able to turn Indonesia into the largest cocoa producing country. Anwar said the Gernas Pro Kakao program was intended to replace up to 70,000 hectares of cocoa, rehabilitate another 140,000 hectares and intensify farming on 300,000 hectares - bringing the total planted area to around 900,000 hectares of productive cocoa. The West Sulawesi Governor said Ivory Coast at present was the world`s largest cocoa producing country while Indonesia is on the third place, but he was optimistic that the latter will be the first in years to come. “The Gernas Pro Kakao program has a target to improve the production and quality of the commodity to exceed Ivory Coast in 2014,” the Governor said. In light of this, 5th IICC organizing committee chairman Antonius Pasaribu said this year`s international conference, organized by Indonesian Cocoa Association (Askindo), has gained very positive response from various stakeholders worldwide. “They will actively participate in the international cocoa conference as speakers and moderators,” Antonius said. He added that in the conference, themed “Working Together for a Better Cocoa Future”, the participants would discuss a number of interesting issues such as the current condition of the cocoa industry, cocoa sustainability, certification, and the cocoa future prospect. 18 Equator - July 2011 Some 80 percent of national cocoa production came from Eastern Indonesian regions while the rest come from other provinces such as Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, and Aceh. Meanwhile, Aceh Cocoa Forum (FKA) has set itself a target to make Aceh province one of the largest cocoa producing areas in Indonesia in 2020. “Such a target will be reached following the improvement of cocoa development by the people at the commodity`s production centers in Aceh,” FKA chairman Hasanuddin Darjo said on July 11, 2011. He said Aceh has around 70,000 hectares of cocoa farm with the productive land of 40 thousand hectares. “That is why Aceh exports around 15-20 thousand tons of dried cocoa beans to a number of countries,” Hasanuddin said. Meanwhile, Vice Minister of Trade Mahendra Siregar has ever said that Indonesia has a great opportunity to be the largest cocoa producer in the world for its ability to produce cocoa beans in large enough quantities. He said at the time that as the number three in world`s largest cocoa producer after Ivory Coast and Ghana, Indonesia should increase its production of the commodity. Besides boosting the production, he said the quality of Indonesian cocoa should also be improved because the commodity had special characteristics that were not owned by other countries. Indonesia has earlier exported about 80 percent of its cocoa beans, but with the imposition of the export tax, exports could be cut for domestic grinders. The Government hopes that in 2011 its exports of cocoa beans would drop from 80 percent to 50 percent. The Government has since April 1, 2010, imposed a 15 percent tax on cacao bean exports in order to boost local processing industry and increase the added value of farmers cacao production. About 93 percent of Indonesia`s 1.5 million hectares of cocoa plantations are owned by smallholders. According to the Indonesian Cocoa Association, the cocoa bean exports from Indonesia`s main growing region of Sulawesi island increased 2.1 percent last year. The shipments from the world`s third biggest producer of the chocolate ingredient rose to 280,708 metric tons in 2010 from 274,887 metric tons in 2009, according to data from the association. “Cocoa output in 2010 did not increase much because rainy weather disrupted harvests, and shipments were delayed,” Indonesian Cocoa Association Spokesman Zulhefy Sikumbang has said. Sulawesi accounts for about 75 percent of total output and overseas sales of the commodity from the Southeast Asian nation. Gernas Pro Kakao program was intended to replace up to 70,000 hectares of cocoa, rehabilitate another 140,000 hectares and intensify farming on 300,000 hectares - bringing the total planted area to around 900,000 hectares of productive cocoa Therefore the West Sulawesi Governor said the province would continue to maintain its cocoa production as national commodity and to develop it to increase the national economic growth. He said the cocoa plant would be included into 18 categories of superior commodities to step up the national economic growth. “The central Government earlier did not include cocoa into 18 categories of superior seed plants to be nationally developed in an effort to step up national economic growth,” he said. But he added that West Sulawesi provincial Government would maintain cocoa and continue to develop it as a mainstay commodity in this country. The West Sulawesi Governor said that following the Indonesian Government announcement of a large national program for the revitalization of cocoa industry, known as Gernas Pro Kakao, around 25 provinces in 2011 would implement the program. So according to Antonius Pasaribu, the 5th Indonesian International Cocoa Conference Organizing Committee Chairman, issues related to the business of cocoa commodity would also be discussed in the conference. He said that to be held at Westing Hotel in Nusa Dua, the conference will be attended by a number of world`s cocoa organizations, namely International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), Cocoa Merchants Association of America (CMAA), Ghana Cocoa Broad (GCB), Cocoa Association of Asia (CAA), Federation of Cocoa Commerce (FCC), and Malaysia Cocoa Board. Focus Equator - July 2011 19 Focus Sail Komodo or Sail Derawan 2013 by Otniel Tamindael Jakarta - East Nusa Tenggara and East Kalimantan provinces are at present vying to host Sail Komodo, or Sail Derawan as part of Sail Indonesia 2013. East Kalimantan province is making every effort to host the international marine event of Sail Derawan 2013. The tourism office in the province is currently completing a proposal to be presented to the Culture and Tourism Ministry to compete with East Nusa Tenggara province which is also trying to host Sail Komodo 2013. This year Southeast Sulawesi Province and Bangka-Belitung Province will co-host Sail WakaboiBelitung as part of Sail Indonesia 2011 “We are at present in the process of completing a proposal to the Culture and Tourism Ministry in our bid to host Sail Derawan 2013,” East Kalimantan Culture and Tourism Department Chief Achmad Adha said as quoted by wisatakaltim. com recently. Adha said the local Government wanted to host Sail Derawan 2013 to promote Derawan Islands, located in the Sulawesi Sea on the coastal shelf of East Kalimantan. The Derawan Islands feature 872 species of reef fishes, 507 species of coral and invertebrates, including protected species giant clam, sea turtles, coconut crab. Some of the islands harbor the heavily exploited turtle eggs and yet the largest green turtle nesting site in Indonesia. But the constraint, according Adha, was the conclusion of oceanographers that Derawan Islands were prone to strong wind and strong current that would make it difficult for yachts, participating in Sail Derawan 2013, to anchor. Therefore he expressed hope that if it was impossible for East Kalimantan to host Sail Derawan, Sail Komodo event could be a part of the Sail Derawan. Meanwhile East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) provincial government has already proposed to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to host Sail Komodo 2012. NTT provincial government spokesman Frans Salem said in Kupang on July 12, 2011, that the proposal to host Sail Ko20 Equator - July 2011 modo 2013 was because Komodo dragons in the province have been widely well known around the world after having been established as one of the New Seven Wonder finalists. “The East Nusa Tenggara provincial administration wants to host Sail Komodo 2013, and to get approval from the central government we have proposed it to President Yudhoyono,” Frans Salem said. He said Komodo dragons, the world`s heaviest living lizards in Komodo National Park at the West point of Flores island, should continue to be promoted to attract as many domestic and foreign tourists as possible to visit East Nusa Tenggara. The Komodo National Park includes three major islands namely Komodo, Rinca, Padar and a number of smaller islands with a total area of up to 2,321 square kilometers. Besides being home to the Komodo dragon, the Park provides refuge for many other notable terrestrial species such as orange-footed scrub fowls, endemic rats, and the Timor deers. Moreover, the Park includes one of the richest marine environments including coral reefs, mangroves, sea-grass beds, sea mounts, and semi-enclosed bays. These habitats harbor more than 1,000 species of fish, some 260 species of reef-building coral, and 70 species of sponges. According to him, one way to promote the giant lizards was through the international marine event of Sail Komodo as part of Sail Indonesia 2013. “Just because such an event involves a lot of countries, it should have an approval from the central government,” Frans said. Therefore he expressed hope that the proposal to host Sail Komodo could gain a positive response from the central government to issue a recommendation to East Nusa Tenggara provincial government to organize the event. “The position of Komodo Island with its beautiful sea, beaches, forests, and hills remains secure to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and thus we want to continue promoting it through Sail Komodo,” Frans said. East Nusa Tenggara Governor Frans Lebu Raya said in Kupang in February this year that President Yudhoyono fully supported the provincial government effort to host Sail Komodo 2013. “In relation to Sail Komodo, I have reported it to President Yudhoyono and the Head of State said he would fully support such an event,” Governor Lebu Raya said. Focus According to the Governor, President Yudhoyono has asked NTT provincial government to plan properly the international marine event and the central government and the people would support it. “The President has asked us to plan Sail Komodo 2013 properly with vigorous campaigns and promotions as it did to Sail Banda 2010,” Frans Lebu Raya said, adding that the proposal for Sail Komodo had been submitted to Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry. This year Southeast Sulawesi Province and Bangka-Belitung Province will co-host Sail Wakaboi-Belitung as part of Sail Indonesia 2011. But what comes next after Sail Wakatobi, Belitung 2011 and before either Sail Derawan or Sail Komodo 2013 ? , whether it be Sail Lombok-Sumbawa or Sail Morotai 2012 ? Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad at Senggigi resort on Lombok island in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province in May 2010 said he had made Sail Lombok-Sumbawa 2012 part of his program to support development of the tourism sector in the province. “It will be West Nusa Tenggara`s turn to host an international marine event, namely Sail Lombok-Sumbawa, in 2012,” Fadel Muhamad said after witnessing the harvest of Lombok pearl cultivation product with Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik at the time. Meanwhile, West Nusa Tenggara Governor Zainul Madji said he would continue to make things ready for the implementation of Sail Lombok-Sumbawa 2012. But at the same time North Maluku province also wanted to host Sail Morotai 2012. Seeing the great success of Sail Bunaken 2009 and Sail Banda 2010, President Yudhoyono wanted North Maluku to host similar event called Sail Morotai. Addressing a ceremony marking the relocation of North Maluku`s provincial capital from Ternate to Sofifi in August 2010, the President expressed hope that North Maluku province host Sail Morotai. “We have just organized Sail Banda, and in reality it attracted so many participants from many countries and moved the economy in Maluku. Therefore, I hope we can organize Sail Morotai in North Maluku,” President Yudhoyono said at the time. Morotai in North Maluku Province is famous not only for its natural and marine beauty but also for its historical tourism. It is also renowned for the beauty of its various coral reefs and decorative fish and tempting diving sites which the North Maluku provincial government has now started to spruce up in preparation of “Sail Morotai 2012”. Equator - July 2011 21 Business Indonesia’s best export products Cocoa Cocoa (Theobroam cacao L.) was originated from South America in which the ancient Mayans made a ceremonial beverage from the cocoa beans mixed with water and spices. The drink called cocolati was so much esteemed as a symbol of both fertility and prosperity. Cocoa was brought to Indonesia by the Dutch colonial who start planting in several plantations in Java. Indonesia’s tropical climate became the perfect habitat for cocoa, and rapidly spread throughout the archipelago. South Sulawesi, Southeast, and Central are the main production areas contributed 75 percent of the total Indonesian cocoa production. Other important producing regions are North Sumatra, East Kalimantan, Lampung, and East Java. Farmers in the region to start the main crop harvested from April until June or July, while mid-year yields ranged from October to December. Sulawesi cocoa is traded in the form of unfermented beans, butter and the amount of mass. Most of the cocoa beans are exported through Makassar, South Sulawesi. In terms of production, Indonesian cocoa also shows an increasing trend. Ministry of Agriculture reported that cocoa production increased from 769,386 tons in 2006 to around 776,618 tons in 2010. From 2010 figures estimated the total production, 91.63 percent came from small farmers, 4.35 percent of government land, and the remaining 4.02 percent of private companies. Indonesia is known as the third producer in the world’s largest cocoa after Ivory Coast and Ghana. As one of the largest manufacturers in the world, Indonesia has also played an important role in the world cocoa market. The main importers of Indonesian cocoa are Malaysia, the United States, Singapore, Brazil and China. In 2009, exports of Indonesian cocoa beans (whole or broken, raw / roasted) reached 439,305 tons, up from 380,513 tons in 2008. In terms of value, exports in 2009 recorded a value of U.S. $ 1,090,000,000, up from U.S. $ 854,590,000 in 2008. The value of cocoa exports in 2009 contributed as much as 1.12 percent of total exports of non oil and gas state. Cocoa prices tend to increase in the last five years and this can be seen from the recorded value of exports during the period. The value of Indonesian cocoa exports increased from U.S. $ 467,830,000 in 2006 to U.S. $ 1,090,000,000 in 2009, which increased two-fold. 22 Equator - July 2011 INDONESIA COCOA ASSOCIATION ( ASKINDO ) The Jakarta Residence Cosmo Mansion Lantai 11 unit CC Jl. Kebon Kacang Raya DKI Jakarta Indonesia Ph: (62-21) 31991718 Fax: (62-21) 31991719 List of exporters BUMITANGERANG MESINDOTAMA, PT (BT COCOA) Jl. Dipati Unus 30 Cibodas Besar, Kecamatan Cibodas Tangerang 15138 – Banten, Indonesia Phone : (62-21) 5585870 Fax : (62-21) 5585872 Email : [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.btcocoa.com PT COMEXTRA MAJORA Jl. Salodong No. 66 Makassar, South Sulawesi Indonesia Ph. (62-411) 510051 Fax: (62-411) 510077, 510017 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.comextra.com PT DAVOMAS ABADI Plaza BII – Menara III Fl. 9th Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 51 Jakarta Pusat Indonesia Ph: (62-21) 39834511 Fax: (62-21) 3984512 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.davomas.com PT TEJA SEKAWAN COCOA INDUSTRIES Jl. Rajawali 86 Surabaya 60164, Indonesia Ph: (62-31) 3524554-6, 3533454 Fax: (62-21) 3532982 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.teja-cocoa.com PT CERES Jl. Raya Narogong Km. 7 Jawa Barat Indonesia Ph: (62-21) 8204054, 8204055, 8204056 Fax: (62-21) 8204055, 8204056 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] CV ANOM/ HASIL BUMI RAYA Jl. Padang By Pass Km. 9 Sumatera Barat Indonesia Ph: (62-751) 61914, 62888, 765138 Fax: (62-751) 61215 E-mail: wira168@indonesat,net.id PT ASIANAGRO AGUNGJAYA Jl. Semarang Blok A2 No. 1 KBN Marunda DKI Jakarta Indonesia Ph: (62-21) 440 2591 – 3, 4402614 Fax: (62-21) 4402590, 4405025 PT ASTRA AGRO LESTARI Jl. Puloayang Raya Blok OR I Kawasan Industri Pulogadung DKI Jakarta Indonesia Ph: (62-21) 4616555, 4616888 Fax: (62-21) 4616682, 4616689 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.astra-agro.co.id PT BERDIKARI NIAGA UTAMA Jl. Yos Sudarso No. 3 – 11 Tanjung Priok, DKI Jakarta Indonesia Fax: (62-21) 43937854 Email:[email protected] Website: www.berdikari-trading.com Business Equator - July 2011 23 Travel Makassar Makassar, is the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and the largest city on Sulawesi Island. From 1971 to 1999, the city was named Ujung Pandang. The port city is located on the southwest coast of the island of Sulawesi, facing the Makassar Strait. History Beginning in the sixteenth century, Makassar was the dominant trading center of eastern Indonesia, and soon became one of the largest cities in island Southeast Asia. Sulawesi’s colorful history is the story of spices and foreign merchants of mariners and sultans and of foreign power wresting control of the spice trade. Much of South Sulawesi’s early history was written in old texts that can be traced back to the 13th and 14th centuries. During the time, Makassar was a thriving cosmopolitan entre-port where Chinese, Arabs, Indians, Siamese, Javanese, and Malays came to trade their manufactured metal goods and fine textiles for precious pearls, gold, copper, camphor and spices - nutmeg, cloves and mace imported from the interior and the neighboring Spice Islands of Maluku. By the 16th century, Makassar had become Sulawesi’s major port and centre of the powerful Gowa and Tallo sultanates which between them had a series of 11 fortresses and strongholds and a fortified sea wall which extended along the coast. The town became a collecting point for the produce of eastern Indonesia - the copra, rattan, pearls, trepang and sandalwood and the famous oil made from bado nuts used in Europe as men’s hair dressing - hence the anti-macassars (embroidered cloths placed at head rests of upholstered chairs). Traditional food Makassar has several famous traditional foods. The most famous is Coto Makassar. It is a stew made from the mixture of nuts and spices with beef parts which include beef brain, tongue and intestine. Konro rib dish is also popular traditional in Makassar. Both Coto Makassar and Konro are usually eaten with Burasa, a glutinous rice with coconut milk and sauted coconut granule. In addition, Makassar is the home of pisang epe, or pressed bananas. These are bananas which are pressed, grilled, and covered with palm sugar sauce and sometimes eaten with Durian. Many street vendors sell pisang epe, especially around the area of Losari beach. Tourism Fort Rotterdam (“Benteng Ujung Pandang”). The King of Gowa built the fort in 1545. After other forts in the area were destroyed in 1669, Fort Rotterdam was taken over by the Dutch. In 1937 it lost its military function and was handed over to the Fort Rotterdam Foundation for cultural purposes was a Dutch fort built in Makassar on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia during the 1670s. Fort Rotterdam not only contains some interesting buildings, an arts centre and the “La Galigo” museum but also provides a quiet haven away from the noisier parts of town. In the late afternoon and evening you will often find here young people playing music or rehearsing for theatre performances. Makassar highlights FORT OF ROTTERDAM Standing majestically at the western coast of Makassar, Fort Rotterdam is recognized as the city’s most iconic landmark. With historical traces dating back to the Kingom of Gowa from the 16thth century to colonization by the Dutch, this Fort has silently witnessed many episodes in Makassar’s history, playing a most essential role in its development. A journalist from New York Times, Barbara Crossette even described it as “the best preserved Dutch Fort in Asia”. 24 Equator - July 2011 Travel Makassar highlights TRANS STUDIO Trans Studio is the world’s third-largest indoor theme park (as of 2009), located in Makassar. The 20,000 m2 wide and 20 meters high indoor theme park.,Trans Studio is built on the area of 12.7 hectares with investment up to IDR 1 trillion (approximately USD 104 million). The indoor theme park was inaugurated by the former Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, exactly on September 9, 2009 (0909-09). Trans Studio itself is a part of The Trans Studio World project, which will include Trans Walk and Rodeo Drive, Trans Studio, Trans hotels, and offices of Mega Bank. The theme park consists of 22 features and amusement rides including Central Studio, Lost City, Magic Corner, Tsunami Island and Cartoon City. Many of the rides in Trans Studio are adopted from TransTV’s and Trans7’s shows such as Dunia Lain, Si Bolang, Jelajah, Ayun Ombak, and Angin Beliung; yet, some of them are adopted from Universal Studios and Disneyland in the United States. The rides also contain space simulation program of several television stations such as Trans TV, Trans 7, and other events in Indonesia. One ride that is pretty unique is “Dunia Lain”, which in English is “Another World”. TANAH TORAJA Tanah Toraja, high in the mountains near the center of Sulawesi, is one of the few places in Indonesia where you can still see a unique culture that keeps its traditions alive, and not just for the benefit of the tourists. In the high mountain valleys, you will see traditional tongkonan houses set in terraced rice fields. The culturally distinctive Torajans are perhaps most well known for their elaborate death rituals, which includes funerals that can last for several days, followed by burials in rock tombs. Thanks to its high altitude, Tana Toraja has a rather temperate climate. While days can be warm or even hot, nights are usually so cool that none of the hotels in the area have air conditioning. The cool dry season runs from March to September or October. If you want to see a funeral, the best months are August or September. This is when the farming people of the area have free time before the rains arrive in October. TORAJA HOUSE Historically, only the nobility has the right to build these elaborate and beautifully carved tongkonan. The layout of the Toraja adat houses is imbued with symbolic meaning. LOSARI BEACH Losari beach is a major tourist destination and tourist can spend time from morning to evening. The most ideal time to visit is late afternoon between the hours of 15:0021:00 hours. BODO COSTUME Traditional costume from Makassar named Baju Bodo (long shirt) commonly used in many traditional ceremonies COTO MAKASSAR Coto Makassar is an Indonesian culinary food originating from Makassar. It is a soup with seasoning broth made from starch. The main content of this soup is beef and it can be mixed with innards. Equator - July 2011 25 Embassy News Activities facing the celebration of the 66th Independence of the Republic of Indonesia On the ocassion of the for thcoming 66th Anniversar y of the Independence of the Republic of Indo nesia, the month of July was marked with several spor t and social activities that was par ticipated by all Indonesians living in Belgrade, friends of Indonesia, members of the Friendship Association of Indonesian and Serbia “Nusantara” and staf f of the Embassies from the ASEAN countries. Ever y year, just a few week s before the 17 of August, in Indonesia and also abroad, the Indonesian citizens celebrate the most important national day of Indonesia through many creative and unique activities, all in the spirit of unit y and togetherness. This year, in respect to the Ramadhan in the month of August, Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade has organized the activities a month earlier through six activities and those were the tournaments in badminton and table tennis, domino cards, bowling, folk ’s festive and blood donation. BADMINTON & TENNIS TABLE TOURNAMENT The badminton and tennis table tournament was held on July 16, 2011, at the premises of Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade, and was par ticipated by many Indonesian citizens and friends of Indonesia living in Belgrade. The tournament was of f icially opened by the Indonesian Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Semuel Samson, by delivering the speech and hiting the f irst ser ve in table tennis. Af ter the opening, all the par ticipant star ted to compete in single and double matches. The tournament that has star ted in the early hours of the day has been completed until late evening in ver y pleasant and cheer ful atmosphere with lots of fun and spor ts spirit all along the tournament. DOMINO TOURNAMENT Domino card tournament was organized and hosted by the Indonesian Defense Attache Col. Agoes Jo esni on July 23, 2011, and as it is ever y year, the tournament was par ticipated by all staf f and friends of Indonesia. The domino card play is one of tradition in Indonesia among the common people to have fun within the friends and family, and it is ver y popular all over the Indonesia. During the tournament, the children had the oppor tunit y to enjoy and swim at the swimming pool, while the others could enjoy in music by singing Indonesian songs with karaoke. BOWLING TOURNAMENT The nex t day, on July 24, 2011, the tournament in bowling was held in Zemun and it has been par tici pated not only by the staf f of the Indonesian Embassy, members of the Indonesian communit y and Friendship Association of Indonesia and Serbia “Nusantara”, but also from the staf f of the Embassies from ASEAN countries and close counterpar ts of the Indonesian Embassy from the f ield of culture, media, economy and politics. The bowling arena was ver y crowded and full of joy with lots of exiting moments recorded with the high scores of many bowling players. On that day, the Embassy has distributed special red T-shir ts with the inscription “LIVING AS ONE” that brings the symbolized massage of togetherness and friendship among the people not only in Indonesia but also in Serbia and the world. BLOOD DONATION On July 25, 2011, as par t of Embassy’s new tradition, since last year, ever y December and July all the staf f of the Embassy donate blood to the Serbian Institute of blood transfusion. This humanitarian action has become the tradition of the Embassy in December within the Indonesian Mother’s Day and in July within the Independence Day of Indonesia. The Serbian Institute for blood transfusion and Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade has agreed to cooperate on the long term in the future based on mutual benefit and for the benefit of the people of Serbia. 26 Equator - July 2011 Embassy News FOLK’S FESTIVE ( PESTA RAKYAT ) Sport & social activities The last, but the biggest activity, on the ocassion of 66th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, was the Folk’s Festive (Pesta Rakyat) that has been the culmination of all the activities during the month of July. The Folk’s Festive gathered around over 180 people, beside the staff of the Indonesian Embassy and Indonesian community and their families, the event was participated also by many close friends of Indonesia as well as from the Embassies from ASEAN countries. The program started at 07.30 a.m. at the premises of the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade that was opened by the Indonesian Ambassador’s speech and later followed with the light warming up excercises. After the warming up session, the ‘Fun Walk’ was started with Ambassador’s releasing the red and white balloon with the text “I LOVE INDONESIA” up to the sky. After the ‘Fun Walk’ the program was followed with Poco Poco dance, childrens games, silent quiz, door prizes, fun games for children and adults, music by the Embassy’s band, karaoke, prizes for the sport winners and special prizes for the children. As the main part of the program was the celebration of the Indonesian Children’s Day that is commemorate every year on 23rd of July. The Indonesian Ambassador has gathered with over 70 children and had the ‘question and answer’ game which has been very attractive to the children and has gain their attention very closely. After this gathering with Ambassador, the Indonesian Children’s Day was marked with special children’s program with clown and magician, later followed with fun games such as eating the donats on the string, entering the pencil to the bottle, etc. At the end of the children’s program, all the children has received the presents. After the commemoration of the Indonesian Children’s Day, the program was followed with many fun games and music that lasted until late in the evening. Equator - July 2011 27 Embassy News Photo Gallery 28 Equator - July 2011 Embassy News Equator - July 2011 29 Embassy News Photo Gallery 30 Equator - July 2011 Embassy News Equator - July 2011 31 “ Folks fest tive 2011 “ Embassy News Afternoon gathering with Head of Missions of the ASEAN countries On the ocassion of forthcoming commemoration of the 44th Anniversary of the ASEAN and the first raising of the ASEAN flag at the premises of the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade, the Indonesian Ambassador has arrange the afternoon gathering on July 27, 2011, with all the Head of Diplomatic Missions of ASEAN countries accredited to the Republic of Serbia. The gathering was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, H.E. Mr. U Soe Nwe, Charge d’ Affaires a.i. of Malaysia, Mr. Amizal Fadzli Bin Rajali, Honorary Cosul of the Republic of Phillipines, Mrs. Verica Milakovic and Ambassador of Brunei in Berlin, H.E. Pehin Dato Mr. Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar. During this very friendly gathering, the Heads of Missions also had the exchange of views and experiences regarding the upcoming commemoration of the 50 years of Non Aligned Movement in Belgrade which will be attend by the high level delegations from NAM and ASEAN countries. Friendly luncheon with the Serbian press The Indonesian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Semuel Samson had the pleasure to be the host for respected editor and journalist from several media in Serbia and organized the luncheon on 22 July 2011 at the Ambassador’s premises. Ambassador Semuel Samson took the opportunity to extend his gratitude to the media that has been active in covering and supporting many activities of Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade in the field of economy, culture and politics. This support from the media is very preciated as the part of Embassy’s effort to increase the promotion and presentation of Indonesia to the citizens of Serbia. 34 Equator - July 2011 Embassy News Meeting the Serbian Defense Minister On 27 of July 2011 in the premises of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Serbia in Belgrade was held a meeting between the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Dragan Sutanovac, and Indonesian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Semuel Samson, in regard of forthcoming visit of the Serbian Defense Minister to Indonesia on September 2011 within the signing the agreement of cooperation in the field of military defense between Indonesia and Serbia and accompanied related programs during the visit. Indonesian student received certificate awarding of the scholarship “The World in Serbia” On July 22, 2011, Serbian Ministers of Education Zarko Obradovic and Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic respectively, handed out diplomas of Serbian language for foreign students who have learnt the Serbian language within “The World in Serbia” scholarship program. These students come from the Non-Aligned Movement member states and as of 1st of September 2011, thanks to grants they received, they will start to study in Serbia. The scholarship program “The World in Serbia” founded in 2010 by the Serbian Government, was joined by 90 students from 22 Non Aligned Movement (NAM) member countries who stayed in a student resort on Mt. Avala and attended the Serbian language classes held by professors of the Belgrade Faculty of Philology. One of the students is from Indonesia, Benny Enrico, who succeed to join the first generation of this program in 2010 and to receive the certificate awarding at this ceremony. The new generations for the the academic year 2011, the Indonesian Embassy is pleased that two new students from Indonesia has granted this scholarship program. Good luck ! Equator - July 2011 35 Media DANAS Kako pronaći rešenje krize na Bliskom istoku i uspostaviti demokratiju Indonezija kao pozitivan primer 27/07/2011 19:52 Autor: Sri Muljani Indravati Da li se arapsko proleće pretvara u sumornu jesen? Imajući u vidu brutalno gušenje protesta u Siriji, krvavi građanski rat u Libiji i činjenicu da je Jemen na ivici haosa, broj skeptika raste. Iako su prodemokratski pokreti u Egiptu i Tunisu brzo smenili režim, i u ovim zemljama i dalje ima neizvesnosti. Nakon kratkog perioda ispunjenog nadom, veliki broj posmatrača se sada pita da li je region sposoban da iznedri održive i ekonomski aktivne demokratske zemlje. Revolucije i rezultati koji su njima postignuti su naravno nestabilni i promenljivi, a ishod je često na oštrici noža. Premošćavanje ogromnog jaza između velikih očekivanja i realnosti da su budžeti i kapaciteti ograničeni samo po sebi predstavlja test. Ispravljanje nepravdi iz prošlosti i izgradnja ekonomije koja nudi priliku svima takođe su glavni izazovi prožeti nestabilnošću, neizvesnošću i opasnostima od političkog oportunizma. Međutim, tranzicije predstavljaju vreme ogromnih prilika. Devedesetih godina prošlog veka bila sam među onim Indonežanima koji su zahtevali i slavili odlazak našeg autokrate Suharta, a kada je on otišao, ja sam se pridružila Vladi. Mnogi posmatrači su prognozirali da Indonezija, najgušće naseljena muslimanska zemlja na svetu, neće moći da održi demokratiju, te će na kraju skliznuti u haos. Pred nama je bio težak zadatak. Međutim, dokazali smo da skeptici nisu u pravu i naučili smo neke bitne lekcije. Možda je najvažnije to što smo naučili da ne postoji univerzalno rešenje za demokratizaciju. Sve zemlje na Bliskom istoku i u severnoj Africi će se suočavati sa univerzalnim izazovima, na koje će svaka od njih morati da odgovori na svoj način. Čak i u tom slučaju sve one će morati da naprave pravi i simboličan raskid s prošlošću. Nova garnitura vlasti mora da uputi jake signale da je sa starim metodama završeno. Promena mora da bude zvanično objavljena zajedno s novim zakonima koji su naširoko poznati. Zakonodavstvo koje građanima pruža slobodu govora, slobodne i nezavisne izbore i slobodu udruživanja od suštinskog je značaja, a javnosti se mora jasno staviti do znanja da niko nije iznad zakona. Sve manje od toga će potkopati tranziciju. Štaviše, korupcija je svuda prokletstvo razvoja, tako da nove vlade treba brzo da sprovedu inicijative za osnivanje institucija i uspostavljanje procedura kojima će se protiv nje boriti. Transparentnost i pouzdanost predstavljaju moćne ideje s gotovo univerzalnom podrškom, što znači da novi lideri ne treba da odustaju kada borba postane teška. Organizacije građanskog društva, lokalne zajednice, predstavnici siromašnih i ugroženih i žene imaju značajnu ulogu u tom pogledu i oni treba da budu uključeni na svim nivoima odlučivanja. U Indoneziji smo potpisali sto zakona za manje od 18 meseci, čime smo pokrili sve, od slobode medija do izbora, korupcije, decentralizacije i zakona za zaštitu konkurencije. Ratifikovali smo novi zakon o javnim finansijama i obezbedili nezavisnost od centralne banke zemlje. Novi lideri moraju da očekuju i savlađuju prepreke. U vremenima nakon revolucije očekivanja su velika, a smetnje ka njihovom ispunjenju su ogromne. Iz ličnog iskustva znam da nismo uvek imali taj luksuz da ostvarimo najbolje rezultate. Morali smo da napravimo kompromis i zadovoljimo se najboljim mogućim rezultatima. Bezbednosne pretnje predstavljaju najozbiljnije smetnje u tranzicijama. Nacionalistički sentiment je jak, a političari i interesne grupe mogu da ga zloupotrebe. Bezbednosne snage se često nasleđuju od starog režima i nema nezavisnog pravosudnog sistema. Za reforme će biti potrebno vreme, a stare birokratije možda neće biti u mogućnosti da ih sprovedu. U Indoneziji smo koristili raznovrsne inovacije za rešavanje takvih dilema. Tako na primer, imenovali smo nezavisnog sudiju da preuzme pitanja u vezi sa bankrotstvom i korumpiranošću sudova, jer su sudije od karijere bile isuviše iskvarene. Slično tome, kada smo pokrenuli programe “keš za rad” kao deo naše agende za borbu protiv siromaštva, tražili smo od zajednica da sprovedu ove inicijative. Šire gledano, novi lideri dobijaju dobre savete da obezbede i ekonomski učinak. Važno je da se obnovi ekonomska aktivnost i stvori pogodno okruženje za preduzetnike, naročito za mala i srednja preduzeća, koja čine glavni motor pokretač za otvaranje novih radnih mesta. Treba podsetiti da su nedavne revolucije počele tako što se jedan tunišanski prodavac voća, koga su vlasti mučile i vređale, zapalio. Autorka je direktorka u Svetskoj bankarskoj grupi i bivša ministarka finansija Indonezije. 36 Equator - July 2011 Media MONDO Ambasada Republike Indonezije upriličila je proslavu povodom Dana nezavisnosti i Nacionalnog dana dece Indonežansko veselje u Beogradu Ambasada Republike Indonezije u Beogradu organizovala je “Narodno veselje” (ili kako oni kažu Pesta Rakyat) u okviru obeležavanja 66 godina nezavisnosti Republike Indonezije i indonežanskog nacionalnog dana dece. Svečanost je otvorio ambasador Republike Indonezije Semuel Samson jednočasovnom “šetnjom zdravlja” od Bulevara kneza Aleksandra Karađorđevića preko Topčiderskog Venca i Bulevara Vojvode Putnika, u kojoj su mu se pridružili brojni sunarodnici, ali i ovdašnji rođaci i prijatelji. Svi službenici ambasade kao i svi članovi indonežanske zajednice u Beogradu su nosili na sebi specijalne crvene majice sa natpisom “LIVING AS ONE” (u prevodu: živeti kao jedan) koji nosi simboličnu poruku zemlje sa preko 240 miliona stanovnika iz preko 300 etničkih grupacija, rasprostranjenih na više od 17.000 ostrva. Zabava je do večeri nastavljena raznim programima za decu i odrasle kao što su: poko poko društveni ples, takmičenje u jedenju krofni, takmičenje u ubacivanju olovki, pantomima, karaoke... Pored ambasadora Semuela Samsona, koji se pokazao kao izvrstan domaćin, decu je zabavljao i mađioničar Igor Trifunov, a gost je bio atletičar Luka Rujević. Na proslavi su skoro svi pričali na srpskom jeziku, jer su mnogi od Indonežana i rođeni u Beogradu. Ambasador Samson, kaže da se njegovi sunarodnici lepo osećaju u Srbiji i drago mu je što će nekoliko važnih datuma u ovoj godini obeležiti i u našoj zemlji. “Indonezija i Srbija su u tradicionalno dobrim odnosima u svim oblastima, a sada radimo i na podizanju ekonomske saradnje na viši nivo. Moram da istaknem da mi volimo da boravimo u ovde, jer su Srbi vrlo fini i uvek nasmejani”, rekao je Semuel Samson, veliki poštovalac lika i dela Josipa Broza Tita i zaljubljenik u beogradske kafeterije. Equator - July 2011 37 Media Blic Korak po korak: Nasi Goreng specijalitet ambasadora Indonezije Biljana Tasić, Foto: N.Marković, 17. 07. 2011. - Srbi i Indonežani su veoma slični, vole dobru hranu, muziku i umeju da uživaju u životu - započinje priču ambasador Indonezije u Beogradu, Semuel Samson, dok ulazi u kuhinju hotela Moskva. -Dobar dan svima - srdačan osmeh i topao pogled rekli su više od pozdrava na čistom srpskom jeziku. I dok mu glavna kuvarica Kata pomaže da obuče kecelju, kako bi počeo da sprema Nasi Goreng, specijalitet sa Centralne Jave, svesni smo da razgovaramo sa pravim domaćinom. Atmosfera u kuhinji je vedra, sve vrca od radosti, a mi imamo utisak da se sa ambasadorom poznajemo godinama, a ne tek desetak minuta. - Sličnost između Srba i Indonežana se najviše odražava u sitnicama svakodnevnog života nastavlja da objašnjava gospodin Samson. - Znate, tokom ovih sedam meseci otkako sam u Srbiji, uverio sam se da su Srbi veoma skromni, otvoreni i strastveni, i to su, čini mi se, njihove glavne odlike - kaže dok ljušti krastavac. SLUČAJNI DIPLOMATA On ni po čemu nije tipičan ambasador. Ima svoj internacionalni džez festival “Ambon Džez”, koji se svakog oktobra održava u njegovom rodnom mestu Maluku, veb kompaniju i konsultantsku firmu. O tome kako se jedan inženjer i stručnjak za informacione tehnologije obreo u diplomatiji, gospodin Samson priča kroz osmeh. -Nakon studija sam shvatio da želim da radim u diplomatiji i zato sam završio magistraturu iz politike - priča i stavlja pirinač da se kuva. Pristupio sam političkoj partiji i postao jedan od generalnih sekretara u koaliciji našeg predsednika Susila Bambanga Judhojona. Jednom prilikom, došao je u moj rodni grad i rekao da mu treba pomoć. Ponudio mi je ambasadorsko mesto i ja sam ga prihvatio - objašnjava. A Srbija je imala sreće da dobije takvog prijatelja i ambasadora. PLAŠIO SAM SE DOLASKA Pa ipak, ambasador je imao i određene strahove. Pre dolaska u Srbiju, nije mu bilo baš svejedno. - Kada je trebalo da dođem ovde sa porodicom, zabrinuo sam se. Mislio sam da će mi nedostajati domaća hrana priča ambasador kroz smeh, dok počinje da sprema sos. - Vidite, Indonezija ima 17.508 ostrva i svega 16 odsto kopna. Dakle, 84 odsto državne teritorije je voda. Tako da mi uglavnom jedemo ribu, rakove.. A Srbija je kontinentalna zemlja bez mora pa nismo znali šta da očekujemo. Međutim, vrlo brzo smo shvatili da u Savi i Dunavu ima mnogo ukusne ribe, kao što je somovina, i sada uživamo u specijalitetima od rečne ribe - priča, cedi pirinač i uzima da secka paradajz. Gospodin Samson dodaje i da mu je riblja čorba jedno od omiljenih jela, i da redovno sa porodicom ide na festivale psovećene ribljim specijalitetima. - Nedavno sam bio u Zemunu i oduševio sam se. Čorba je bila veoma ukusna - kaže. 38 Equator - July 2011 Media RAKIJA SA MEDOM PRAVI SPECIJALITET Pored ribljih specijaliteta, voli i meso. - Srbija ima veoma kvalitetno meso, slatko, lagano. Mi uživamo u svim vrstama hrane, jer je veoma slična indonežanskoj. Ali posebno volimo kajmak. Topao, mekan hleb i kajmak, to je jednostavno fenomenalna kombinacija. Dodaje da voli roštilj, ali i da dosta smrša kada je u Srbiji. -Kada sam ovde smršam, a u Indoneziji se ugojim. Ma, sve je to zbog šljivovice, ona jednostavno sagoreva masti - smeje se ambasador. - Moja žena i ja ponekad dodamo malo meda, tako da nam je zadovoljstvo veće - priča i počinje da servira jelo. Upravo zbog toga, ambasador želi da nauči kako se pravi rakija. - U Indoneziji nakon branja voća obično ostane velika količina koja ne može da se iskoristi i mi nažalost moramo da ga uništimo. Umesto toga, pravićemo rakiju - priča veselo. MNOŠTVO PRIJATELJA Ovde je tek sedam meseci, a već je stekao dosta prijatelja. - Trudim se da upoznam što više ljudi i da steknem što više prijatelja. Često sam ne samo ambasador Indonezije, već i ambasador Srbije. Zaista želim da doprinesem našem prelepom prijateljstvu, koje traje već decenijama, i duboko sam ubeđen da će Srbija biti uspešna država, jer ljudi ovde imaju borben duh, a to im omogućava da postignu i ostvare sve što žele. To su dokazali Novak Đoković, Ana Ivanović, Nikola Tesla, Ivo Andrić... Najviše od svega, međutim, želim da srpskom narodu poručim da ne bude pesimističan, i da održi jedinstvo, jer jedinstvena Srbija može da reši sve probleme. SARADNJA UZ KAFU Ambasador dosta vermena provodi u specijalizovanim kafićima - Nemam dug diplomatski staž, a kao poslovan čovek trudim se da pridobijem klijente, što je ponekad lakše uz kafu, pa zato dosta vremena provodim u specijalizovanim kafićima. Mislim da je Srbija jedna od država koja imaju najukusniju kafu na svetu - kaže on. Sada radi na tome da poboljša saradnju indonežanske državne aviokompanije sa Srbijom, da organizuje razmenu studentata i stipendije. -Takođe želim i da pojačamo saradnju u domenu vojne industrije, poljoprivrede ali i turističku saradnju. Srbija je prelepa, a prelepa je i Indonezija. Ona je egzotični biser sveta. Dovoljno je samo da pomislite na Bali, Papuu, Džakartu.. Dok je Ambasador servirao jelo, a mi sa nestrpljenjem očekivali da ga probamo, rekao nam je i to da vreme najviše voli da provodi u centru grada, na Kelemegdanu, u Zemunu i pored reke. Jelo je bilo izuzetno ukusno. Ambasadore, svaka čast! Na vašem kulinarskom umeću, ali i na skromnosti, jednostavnosti, prijateljstvu. Indonezija ima sve razloge da se vama ponosi, a Srbija je srećna što je u vama našla takvog prijatelja. Equator - July 2011 39 Photo News AMBASSADOR’S ACTIVITIES Afternoon gathering hosted by thewith Indonesian for the ASEAN Diplomatic Head of Missions in Serbia Meeting SerbianAmbassador Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac Meeting the Mynmar Ambassador, H.E. Mr. U Soe Nwe Meeting the Honorary Consul of the Phillipines, Mrs. Verica Milakovic 40 Equator - July 2011 Meeting the Charge d’Affires a.i. of Malaysian Embassy, Mr. Amizal Fadzli Bin Rajali Courtesy visit of the Swiss Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Jean-Luc Oesch Photo News Reception on the ocassion of National Day of Switzerland Reception on the ocassion of National Day of Montenegro Reception on the ocassion of National Day of France Reception on the occasion of 12th Anniversary of the accession to the throne of H.M. King of Morocco, Mohammed VI Farewell reception of the Romanian Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Ion Macovei Reception on the occasion of 84th Anniversary of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Dinner hosted by the Indian Ambassador, H.E. Mrs. Nengcha Lhouvum Dinner hosted by the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Toshio Tsunozaki Equator - July 2011 41 Photo News AMBASSADOR’S ACTIVITIES Ambassador’s luncheon with the media at the residence Interview with the journalist of Blic daily, Ms. Biljana Tasic Courtesy visit to the editors of daily Danas 42 Equator - July 2011 Meeting the Director for external relations of B92, Mr. Sasa Mirkovic Meeting the Deputy Director of Studio B, Mr. Nemanja Vranjkovic Photo News Lunch with Vice President of Serbian Radical Party, Mr. Aleksandar Vucic Dinner hosted by Charge d’Affaires a.i. of Malaysian Embassy, Mr. Amizal Fadzli Bin Rajali Meeting with Director of Science Promotion Center, Mrs. Aleksandra Drecun Blood donation at the Serbian Institute for boold transfusion Meeting with Assistant of the Mayor of Priboj, Mr. Hajro Becirovic With the footbal coach of team Solo FC in Indonesia, Mr. Miodrag Babic and Dr. Željana Apostolovska Farewell for Mrs. Ance Maylany at the Ambassador’s residence Equator - July 2011 43 Toraja Wonderful Indonesia 2011