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E Q U A T O R

E M B A S S Y O F T H E R E P U B L I C O F I N D O N E S I AB E L G R A D E - S E R B I A

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siaAmbon Jazz Plus Festival

(AJPF) is not just an annual event but also a major part of a project for the

advancement of generations. AJPF is a vehicle to bring the performing arts to

Maluku, with the main aim to generate enough funds to build the related

education infrastructures – Amboina Art & Science Academy

(AASA) for future generations to come. We believe that the spirit of the industry

of art & science is in this region of South East Asia.

After a successful AJPF 2011, held in the center of the city of Ambon, Pattimura

park to be exact, next year, 2012, we would like to again invite the world

to come to the officially inaugurated the MUSIC CITY of Indonesia, Ambon. We would like the musicians from all

over the world to consider coming, participating, spectating, or whatever

you wan to be, during 2012 Festival in this island city. Year 2012 will be the

year of “COMING HOME,” to those that love musics, to those that play music, to those that are crazy about music.

Consider coming to Ambon Jazzz Plus Festival 2012 as your ” COMING HOME.”

Art & Music are the soul of the people of Maluku and integrated strongly in their

culture and daily living.

Therefore, a festival in this magnitude is more than just to do it in Ambon, the

Music City.

ambon

Jazz

Plus

Festival

Ambassador’s Note October 2011

EDITORIAL BOARD

SUPERVISORH.E. Semuel Samson

EDITOR IN CHIEFAriana Yulianti

BOARD OF EDITORSZamardiEko HimawanCol. Agoes JoesniIndah MekawatiYudi Tetra Mulya

RESEARCHERS Eni DiponegoroFriedo Hubert

LOGISTIC & DISTRIBUTIONPrima SetianiDono Legowo

Published by:Social & Culture SectionEmbassy of the Republic of IndonesiaBulevar kneza Aleksandra Karadjordjevića 1811040 Belgrade - SerbiaPh. 3674062, 3635666Fax. 3672984, 3574239kbri.beograd@eunet.rswww.kemlu.go.id/belgrade

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Focus

Embassy

President announced results of cabinet reshuffleIndonesia, Slovakia stepping up economic cooperationPresident: Promote ASEAN’s single identity through understandingPresident to meet with world leaders during G20 meetingTrade Expo Indonesia drew trade missions from 44 countriesIndonesia fourth in world’s trade volume growthRI - Germany interfaith dialogue discussed multiculturalismAround 600 Papua artists participated in Art FestivalKomodo visited by 42.000 foreign tourists this year

RI can be example of inter-religious harmonyGorontalo aspires to become world-class corn producing regionAJPF: Ambon set to become a city of music extravagant

Crustaceans

Banda islands

Celebration of 66th Indonesian National Armed Forces DaySerbian scholarship students 2011 generation departed to IndonesiaIndonesian language courses in BelgradeAmbon Jazz Plus Festival 2011Belgrade Jazz Festival marked the 80th birthday of Serbian jazz maestro Duško Gojković

Travel

Business

Highlights

Distinguished readers,

The edition of October 2011 we have named it the “colourful” edition because it contains a variety of news and information that are important, interesting and pleasant to be read. The first “colour” of the month would be the news regarding the reshuffle of the 2nd Indonesian United Cabinet by the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in order of organizing the division of tasks between the Ministries, also to refresh the composition to speed up the acceleration of Cabinet performance, particularly to accelerate the economic development and national development in general.The second “colour” is about the various agenda regarding the progressions of ASEAN under the leadership of Indonesia in 2011, to establish the worldwide ASEAN

community along with the development of Indonesia’s international cooperation. The month of October was also marked with 66th Anniversary of Indonesian National Defense Forces on 5th of October 2011, at the same year as the Proclamation of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia on 17th of August 1945. The ceremony was led by the President of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta, which was also commemorated on the same day in Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade, followed by shooting competition and cocktail organized by the Defense Attache of Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade.Speaking about the “colours”, it would be incomplete if we do not speak about culture. The October’s edition contains about increased cooperation of student exchange who are studying in Indonesia and Serbia, inter-religious dialogue, promotion of Indonesian language and diverse culture. And the last, but not least, is about music. This time particularly about jazz music that is highly developed in Serbia and Indonesia, one of those are 3rd Ambon Jazz Plus Festival in Indonesia, and 27th Belgrade Jazz Festival in Serbia.When we speak of music in Indonesia, it only could be completely if we speak of Maluku, a province in the eastern part of Indonesia with its capital of Ambon, as the province of thousand islands that are famous for its spices, seafood, pearls as well as for extraordinary singers – which also, is my hometown. In the travel rubric of this edition, we are presenting the Banda Islands that has been famous since ancient time.Wishing you pleasant reading of our “colourful” edition as reflection of the many colours of the cooperative relations between Indonesia and Serbia.

Semuel Samson

PHOTO ON THE COVER:

Sea turtles in Banda Islands - The Banda Islands are one of Indonesia’s top destinations for divers. Both experts and beginners will enjoy themselves as the diving ranges from the shallow lagoon between Banda Neira and Gunung Api to the vertical walls of Hatta Island. Diving together with the sea turtles are one of the most beautiful experiences that diver could dream.

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).

4 Equator - October 2011

Highlights

Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the credential room of the Merdeka Palace on October 18, 2011, night announced the improvement of the 2nd Indonesian United Cabinet members as the result of the reshuffle process.

The number of ministries remained 34 in accordance with law no.39/2008 re-garding the State ministries, Yudhoyono said, adding that functions of two minis-tries are changed.

On the two ministries change of func-tion, the previous National Education Ministry now becomes the Education and Culture Ministry which is equipped with two vice ministries dealing with ed-ucation and culture.

In addition, the previous Culture and Tourism Ministry now becomes the Tour-ism and Creative Economy Ministry.The cabinet lines-up as follows:

Coordinating Minister for Political, Le-gal and Security Affairs Joko Suyanto, Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy M. Hatta Rajasa, Coordinating Minister for People s Welfare R. Agung Laksono, Min-ister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa, De-fense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro,

Justice and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin, Finance Minister Agus Mar-towardojo, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik, Industry Minister MS. Hidayat, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, Ag-riculture Minister Suswono, Forestry Min-ister Zulkifli Hasan, Transportation Min-ister EE Mangindaan, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Cicip Syarief Sutardjo, Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar, Public Works Minis-ter Joko Kirmanto, Health Affairs Minister Endang Rahayu Setianingsih.

The Education and Culture Minister Muhammad Nuh, Social Affairs Minis-ter Salim Assegaf Aljufri, Religious Af-fairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, Minister for National Development Planning/National Development Planning Board Chairman Armida Alisjahbana, Tourism and Creative Economic Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, Research and Techonology Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta, Minis-ter for Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Syarif Hasan, Minister for En-vironment

Prof. Dr. Berth Kambuaya, Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Pro-tection Linda Agum Gumelar, Minister for State Apparatatus Control and Bureau-cratic Reform Azwar Abubakar, Minister for Disadvantaged Regions Helmi Faisal Zaini, Minister for State Enterprises Dahl-an Iskan, Minister for Communication and Informatics Tifatul Sembiring, Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng

and Public Housing Minister Djan Farid.Meanwhile, the vice ministers lines-

up are: Vice Minister for Education and Vice Minister for Culture Affairs are re-spectively Musliar Kasim and Wiendu Nuryanti.

Vice Minister for State Apparatatus Control and Bureaucratic Reform Eko Prasodjo, Vice Finance Minister Mahen-dra Siregar, Vice Trade Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi, Vice Minister for State En-terprises Mahmuddin, Vice Health Af-fairs Minister Ali Ghufron, Vice Foreign Minister Wardana, Vice Tourism Minister Sapta Nirwandar, Vice Minister for En-ergy and Mineral Resources Widjajono Partowidagdo, Vice Minister for Religious Affairs Nazaruddin Umar, Vice Minister for Justice and Human Rights Denny In-drayana, Vice Minister for Defense affairs Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Vice Minister for Industry Alex Retraubun, Vice Minister for Transportation Bambang Susantono, Vice minister for National Development Planning Lukita Dinarsyah Tuwo,

Vice Minister for Public Works Her-manto Dardak and Vice Minister for Ag-riculture Rusman Heryawan.

In addition, the President also pro-moted Lieut.General Marciano Noorman as Chairman of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN). Yudhoyono said the vice ministers in accordance with law no.39/ 2008 do not belong to the cabinet min-isters.

President announced results of cabinet reshuffle

The number of ministries re-mained 34 in accordance with law no.39/2008 regarding the state ministries

Equator - October 2011 5

Highlights

Indonesia, Slovakia stepping up economic cooperation

Jakarta - Amid its efforts to develop economic potentials through a Master Plan for the acceleration and expansion of its economic development, Indonesia is offering cooperation in various eco-nomic sectors to Slovakia.

So far, no Slovakian companies have made investment in Indonesia while the value of the two-way trade between the two countries is still less than US$100 mil-lion.

Thus the conclusion of agreements worth US$1 billion on October 11, 2011, between the private companies of both nations was a breakthrough in the eco-nomic relations of the two countries.

The economic cooperation between the two countries private sectors was concluded on sidelines of the visit to In-donesia of Slovakian President Ivan Gasp-arovic who took with him private com-pany leaders to explore cooperation with their Indonesian partners.

Chief Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa said there were at least 11 agreements in several sectors which were concluded between the private sectors of the two countries. Business sectors of coopera-tion included food and petrochemicals.

One of the important sectors of coop-eration between a Slovakian firm and the Andalas University in West Sumatra was the development of wheat plantation in Indonesia, he said.

He said that one of the reason of the Slovakian president to visit Indonesia with a business delegation was that he was interested in the Master Plan for the Ac-celeration and Expansion of Indonesia s Economic Development.

Earlier, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that a number of private Slovakian companies wanted to invest US$1 billion in a number of business sec-tors in Indonesia. He told a joint press conference with Slovakian President Ivan Gasparovic that the Slovakian firms would cooperate with Indonesian coun-terparts in the development of cement factories in Central Java and West Papua. Besides, the private companies of the two

countries would also cooperate in the de-velopment of a tire factory in Tangerang, Banten and power plants in West Nusa Tenggara and Batam.

“In essence, we are encouraging the private sectors of the two countries to make use of the opportunities in Indone-sia and in Slovakia,” the President said.

In the meantime, state-owned Bank BNI also concluded a cooperation with its Slovakian counterpart Eimbanka SR in order to support and facilitate trade ac-tivities between the two countries. “This cooperation is very strategic because the trade balance between two counties has begun to increase signifi-cantly every year. The po-tentials of financial trans-actions between the two counties are quite big,” Bank BNI President Direc-tor said after signing the cooperation.

The cooperation also give a chance to the state-owned bank to expand its business in Easter Europe. The cooperation between BNI and Eximbaka SR cov-ered various aspects such as co-financing, co-insur-ance, reinsurance of ex-port credit risk, assistance in the management of non-performing loan, ex-change of information in goods and service trade.

“The cooperation between Eximbanka SR and BNI provides an op-portunity to expand its business to East-ern Europe, in Slovakia in particular. This also gives a chance to BNI customers to expand their business to the Western Eu-ropean market and the United States,” he said.

For this cooperation, Indonesia offers nine proposals or cooperation agenda to increase bilateral cooperation of the two countries. Of the nine agenda is the co-operation in the field of banking for the interest of trade financing.

So far, Indonesia and Slovakia have established cooperation through their central banks to support the increasing transactions and cooperation in the eco-

nomic fields of the two countries.The current visit of the Slovakian Pres-

ident with a delegation of private compa-ny leaders is expected to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Sovakian President’s visit has been planned since early this year when the two countries held a meeting in In-donesia, namely in Jakarta and Surabaya, last February. During the meeting, Indo-nesia and Slovakia reached an agreement that would provide legal certainty for in-vestment cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement would replace an old one made in 1994 to meet one of the provisions regarding investment policy within the European Union. Indonesia and Slovakia have economic cooperation potential which has yet to be worked out optimally after the latter joined the Euro-pean Union in May 2004.

The bilateral agreement on invest-ment will complement efforts to step up trade and investment between the two countries. In the past four years since 2007, efforts to step up trade and investment had been made among others through regular business meetings of Indonesian and Slovakian Embassies officials.

Private Slovakian companies want to invest US$1 billion in a number of business sectors in Indonesia

6 Equator - October 2011

Highlights

Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono led a ceremony to mark the 66th anniversary of Indonesian Na-tional Defense Forces (TNI) at Cilangkap Headquarters, East Jakarta, on October 5, 2011.

As the inspector of ceremony, the Head of State was flanked by TNI Chief Admiral Agus Suhartono, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo, Navy Chief of Staf Admiral Soeparno, and Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Imam Sufaat.

Also present on the occasion were Vice President Boediono, National Police Chief Gen. Timur Pradopo, a number of Cabinet ministers, House of Represen-tatives Speaker Marzuki Alie, People`s Consultative Assembly Chairman Taufik Kiemas, and several representatives of friendly countries.

The memorial ceremony was led by Colonel Sugiharto Prapto who serves as Wing Commander of Carbolic Air Force Academy (AAU).

The ceremony also displayed a series of weaponry and equipment, and fea-tured performances such as parachut-ing and martial arts, flyby of five Sukhoi fighter jets and a Hawk fighter jet.

This year s ceremony to mark the 66th anniversary of TNI was themed,

“With Integrity and Professionalism, TNI With National Components Are Ready to Maintain and Uphold the Sovereign-

ty and Integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)”.

President Yudhoyono leads ceremony to observe TNI anniversary

RI, Japanese Foreign Ministers completed strategic dialogue

Jakarta - Foreign Minister Marty Na-talegawa and his Japanese counterpart, Koichiro Gemba, on October 14, 2011, concluded a two-day strategic dialogue on their countries bilateral ties as well as on regional and global issues.

“Japan and Indonesia have a strate-gic relationship as reflected in the three dialogues held between the two coun-tries Foreign Ministers this year,” Minis-ter Marty Natalegawa told the press.

According to Marty, the issues dealt with in the strategic dialogue covered the strengthening of cooperation in the political sector and security, economic and inter-community relations of the two nations.

“In addition to bilateral ties, we also

discussed issues in a regional context such as Japan`s support for the forma-tion of an ASEAN community by 2015 in South East Asia, peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region and develop-ments on the Korean Peninsula,” Marty said.

“In a global context, we also raised the United Nations (UN) reform issue about the Security Council, Middle East developments and the climate change issue,” Marty said.

Both Foreign Ministers also dis-cussed a preparations for the upcom-ing ASEAN-Japan Summit and the East Asian Summit (EAS) which will take place in November 2011.

Apart from that, the two Foreign

Ministers expressed their optimism re-garding the achievement of the Joint Declaration, the ASEAN-Japan Plan of Action and the Declaration of EAS which is expected to open new horizons for wider cooperation in the region.

Marty and his Japanese counterpart also held a dialogue on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 21.

Koichiro Gemba paid a visit to Ja-karta after visiting Singapore and Ma-laysia.

ASEAN groups Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippine and Vietnam.

Equator - October 2011 7

Highlights

President: Promote ASEAN’s single identity through understanding

Nusa Dua, Bali - President Susilo Bam-bang Yudhoyono said ASEAN s single identity could only be promoted through understanding and appreciation of the di-versity and history equation, cultural heri-tage, and the way of life.

The President made the statement at a function to open ASEAN Fair 2011 at Nusa Dua Convention Center in Bali on October 24, 2011.

“The idea of ASEAN Fair is in line with the ASEAN Charter to unite its member countries into in one vision, one identity, and one community of sharing and car-ing,” the President said in his opening ad-dress. According to the Head of State, the culture in various forms and creativity is an international language that binds the various state and nation.

Meanwhile, Tourism and Creative Eco-nomic Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said the ASEAN Fair this year was themed “Hel-lo ASEAN” and was the first of its kind. “As

ASEAN Chairman, Indonesia initiates ASE-AN Fair to jointly promote ASEAN culture and its creative economy”, Mari Pangestu said. According to her, Indonesia wanted to give special reverence to the identity of ASEAN and the bond of brotherhood among the people of ASEAN. “The ASEAN Fair will depict the rich heritage of cultural diversity and history equation,” she said.

President Yudhoyono on the occasion was accompanied by among others First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, Coordinating Min-ister for Economy Hatta Rajasa, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Presidential Spokesman Julian A. Pasha, Presiden-tial Special Staff for foreign affairs Teuku Faizasyah, and Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika.

ASEAN celebrates International Year of Forests 2011

Jakarta - The 33rd Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and For-estry (33rd AMAF) held a Ministerial Spe-cial Event in Jakarta to pay tribute to the UN International Year of Forests 2011.

With the theme “Forests for People”, the event also showcased ASEAN`s co-operation on forestry in the last four decades, the ASEAN Secretariat said in a press statement.

Forestry cooperation is expected to help establish a sustainable and inclusive ASEAN Community in the year 2015.

The forest in ASEAN covers about 213 million hectares of land. It supports rich diversity of plant and animal species and the livelihoods of the region`s people.

At least 350 million people live in or around forests, and depend wholly or partially on forest resources for income and subsistence - food, fuel, fiber, medi-cine, livestock grazing areas, and other necessities.

This include 60 million indigenous peo-ples, who are wholly dependent on these forests for livelihoods, and, more fundamen-tally, for their cultural survival and identity.

“Many more people in the region and around the globe depend on the forests for the vital ecosystems services they perform, including watershed pro-tection, soil erosion control and climate regulation”, said Dr Surin Pitsuwan, the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

“The contribution of forests to lo-cal livelihoods, national economies and regional vitality is significant - though often insufficiently valued and under-recognised,” he added.

The Special Ministerial event fo-cused on the complex forest-people interactions at different levels. The event included an exhibition showcas-ing ASEAN Cooperation with Dialogue Partners and Development Partners and a premier showing of a brief video entitled “ASEAN Cooperation in Forest-ry: Towards a People-Centered ASEAN”.

The Ministerial Statement read dur-ing the event pledged commitment of ASEAN Member States to fully support the initiatives, partnership and coop-eration. It tasked the senior agriculture and forest officials to implement neces-

sary actions to promote cooperation in forestry to contribute to a prosperous, stable, peaceful, and safer ASEAN Com-munity.

There is increasing recognition within ASEAN that a people-oriented forest strategy - one which balances economic, social and environmental objectives - needs to be mainstreamed into every country`s broader develop-ment strategy and as a key element of regional cooperation.

“Achieving the goal of ASEAN Com-munity building and meeting the tar-gets of the Millennium Development Goals, will require enhanced coop-eration and stronger partnership with Dialogue Partners and Development Partners. Strengthening Social Forest-ry through enhanced support for the ASEAN Social Forestry Network as a backbone of regional forestry coopera-tion will be a priority and key agenda for creating a people-centered ASEAN of the future”, said Sundram Pushpana-than, Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community.

8 Equator - October 2011

Highlights

Jakarta - The Government is prepar-ing eight areas which have the potential to serve as special economic zones ac-cording to the criteria and conditions set by a special team, a Minister said.

“There are eight areas which deserve or have the potential to serve as special economic zones,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said fol-lowing a coordination meeting on special economic zones on October 21, 2011.

Hatta said the meeting discussed pro-posals from regional Governments and business entities to designate 65 areas in the country as special economic zones.

However, the Government only ap-

proved eight of them. Two of them would be declared as special economic zones this year so that there would be five special economic zones until 2014, he said.

The two areas that would be de-clared as special economic zones in 2011 were Sei Mangke in North Sumatra province and Tanjung Lesung in Banten province, he said. The other three areas were Bitung in North Sulawesi prov-ince, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara province and one area in Kalimantan, he said.

Deputy for Infrastructures to the Co-ordinating Minister for Economic Affairs

Lucky Eko said the first phase of the de-velopment of Sei Mangke area would cost an estimated Rp5.7 trillion.

The fund would be used among others to develop downstream oil palm industry, he said. Meanwhile, the de-velopment of Tanjung Lesung area as a tourist resort would cost about Rp3.8 trillion, he said.

Lucky said areas that would be de-veloped into special economic zones must meet provisions on special eco-nomic zones as set forth in Law No. 39 of 2007 and Government Regulation No. 2 of 2011.

President to meet with world leaders during G20 meeting

Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said when attending the

G20 meeting in Cannes, France, later this week he expects to hold private meetings with world leaders such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Union President Herman Van Rompuy.

“During my stay in Cannes from October 31 to November 4, I will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, President of the European Union Her-man Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso”, President Yudhoyono said on October 31, 2011, at a press conference before leaving for France.

Apart from meeting with the four foreign leaders, President Yudhoyono would also have separate meetings with other the Head of State or Govern-ment of other G20 members.

Earlier, presidential spokesman Teuku faizasyah said the G20 Summit this time was meeting an urgent need

and of great importance now that the protracted financial crisis in Europe had turned into a real threat to global eco-nomic recovery.

Hopefully, the G20 Summit could preserve its commitment to imple-menting agreements achieved at the previous G20 Summits, he said.

He said Indonesia expected the G20 leaders at the Cannes summit to take steps to restore global stability, increase global growth, boost investment and trade and encourage just and sustain-able growth.

Faiza added during President Yudhoyono`s stay in France, the Presi-

dent would also visit Paris to fulfill the UNESCO Director General`s invitation to speak at a special session marking the 10th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity.

The invitation was a manifestation of UNESCO`s appreciation for the In-donesian Government`s commitment to protecting and promoting cultural diversity as living assets, he said.

Faiza said the President would make the visit a momentum to reemphasize the significance of preserving cultural heritages including the Borobudur and Prambanan temples.

Government preparing eight areas as special economic zones

Indonesia expected the G20 lead-ers at the Cannes summit to take steps to restore global stability, increase global growth, boost in-vestment and trade and encour-age just and sustainable growth

Equator - October 2011 9

Highlights

Jakarta - Indonesia and Russia plan to increase their bilateral trade and eco-nomic transactions to US$5 billion by 2015, a Russian official said on October 27, 2011, in Jakarta.

“We are not satisfied with our previous level of trade with Indonesia. Maybe, it will reach two billion US dollars this year. It is not big amount for large countries such as Russia and Indonesia,” Director General for Asia and Africa of the Ministry of the Eco-nomic Development of the Russian Fed-

eration, Sergey Chernyshev, said at a meet-ing on Bilateral Economic Cooperation and Business Forum between the Republic of Indonesia and the Russian Federation.

Sergey Chernyshev said both countries had road maps for trade and investments as a framework of their economic relations that had been discussed at the meeting.

Six economic cooperation issues were discussed at the meeting, namely trade and economic cooperation, creating a legal basis for bilateral economic cooperation, cooperation in the field of communication and information technology, cooperation in space exploration and aviation, cooperation in the field of transportation, and coopera-tion between business communities.

“We will be able to cooperate in a num-ber of innovative sectors such as space ex-ploration and aviation, telecommunications,

and information technology , also in basic economic activities like exploration of na-tional resources,” Sergey Chernyshev said.

Sergey Chernyshev stressed both countries needed knowledge, informa-tion, and confidence in the current condi-tions. “Our economic players need knowl-edge and information, so they can take the right decisions on Indonesia and vice versa,” Sergey Chernyshev said.

Meanwhile, Director General of Inter-national Trade Cooperation of Indonesia s Trade Ministry, Gusmardi Bustami, said In-donesia would increase its exports of ag-ricultural and manufactured products to Russia. “Our agricultural product exports to Russia comprise crude palm oil, rubber, coffee, tea, pepper and our manufactured product exports include clothes, shoes, and tires,” Gusmardi said.

RI, Russia target US$5 billion in trade, economic ties

Trade Expo Indonesia drew trade missions from 44 countries

Indonesia’s agricultural product exports to Russia comprise crude palm oil, rubber, coffee, tea, pep-per and our manufactured prod-uct exports include clothes, shoes, and tires

Jakarta - Indonesia received trade mis-sions from a total of 44 countries during the 26th Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) on October 19 through 23 in Jakarta, a Gov-ernment official said.

“The delegates didn t only come to at-tend the TEI, but also to explore possibili-ties to build business networks and invest in Indonesia,” Deputy Trade Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi said on October 25, 2011.

He said the trade missions from the 44 countries comprised 1,254 delegates with India represented by the largest delega-tion or 98 businessmen. “I am very glad be-cause there were also trade missions from potential markets such as Nigeria, Namibia, Afghanistan and Hungary,” he said.

About 86,55 percent of the 8.311 buyers who attended TEI came from emerging markets or non-traditional buyers such as India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bangladesh and Iran.

Buyers also came from Indonesia`s traditional markets such as Japan, US,

and South Korea although they ac-counted for only about 13.45 percent of the total number. “The high number of buyers who came from non-traditional markets showed the success of our mar-ket diversification policy”, he added.

One of the potential products Indo-nesia showed at TEI 2001, according to Bayu, was handicrafted bags with batik designs. Some of the foreign buyers, in-

cluding those from Iran, even showed such big interest in Indonesia`s handi-craft products that they agreed to im-port then on a trial basis.

Bayu said not only big companies but also home industries that had ex-port potential clinched deals during TEI. “The next or 27th TEI will also be held in Jakarta on October 10 through 14, 2012”, Bayu said.

The delegates didn`t only come to attend the TEI, but also to explore possibilities to build business net-works and invest in Indonesia

10 Equator - October 2011

Highlights

Indonesia fourth in world’s trade volume growth

Jakarta - Indonesia is fourth in world`s trade volume growth (after Egypt, India and Vietnam) with an aver-age of growth expected to be 7.3 per-cent per year until 2025, a survey said.

According to a report from the HSBC Trade Confidence Index (TCI) and HSBC Trade Forecast announced on October 20, 2011, Indonesia`s trade volume in the next 15 years is expected to increase as much as 144 percent. The increase is said to be mainly supported by export of commodities. According to the fore-cast, Indonesia`s trade volume in 2025 is expected to reach US$619.6 billion from US$280.4 billion in 2010.

Head of Trade HSBC Indonesia Nir-mala Salli who attend the announce-ment said traders from Indonesia are most optimistic about trade prospects with Greater China and South East Asia in the next six months.

“The level of optimism from Indo-nesian traders is very high due to the rising of trade volume between buyer and supplier as well as the increasing of trust towards the stability of foreign ex-change and regulation”, she said.

She said Indonesian businessmen were confident to do expansion abroad. However, she added, the action would need more capital which means bank-ing sector need to prepare itself in sup-porting the businessmen.

Nirmala said fluctuation of foreign exchange and regulations were two main challenges for optimistic interna-tional traders.

IMF: RI economy strongest in ASEANJakarta - Indonesia is the strongest

in terms of economic fundamentals among ASEAN`s member states with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expect-ed to reach 6.4 percent this year, the In-ternational Monetary Fund (IMF) said.

The figure was the highest among ASEAN member states such as Malay-sia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, IMF Senior Resident Rep-resentative for Indonesia Milan Zavadjil said on October 17, 2011.

“In 2011, Malaysia`s GDP was project-ed to reach 5.2 percent, the Philippines

4.7 percent, Singapore 5.3 percent, Thailand 3.5 percent and Vietnam 5.8 percent,” he said. He said Indonesia`s GDP was expected to fall 0.1 percent to 6.3 percent in 2012 from the previous year. Yet the figure would be the high-est in ASEAN.

Overall, GDP in Asia will drop 0.2 percent to 7.7 percent in 2012 from 7.9

percent the year before, he said. “The drop was caused by the global eco-nomic slowdown,” he said.

He said the drop in GDP was be-cause most Asian countries were very dependent on the export market. “Most of demand for Asian export commodi-ties comes from the United States and Europe”, he said.

According to IMF`s observations, Indonesia still could raise its GDP by improving its investment climate and increasing budget spending on infra-structure development.

The figure was the highest among ASEAN member states such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Singa-pore, Thailand and Vietnam

Equator - October 2011 11

Highlights

Mandiri Bank aspiring to be third best bank in South East Asia

Manado, North Sulawesi - Bank Mandi-ri Tbk is seeking to be the third best bank in Southeast Asia before 2014, the bank s Director said.

“Most of the best banks are in Singa-pore. So we wish Mandiri to become a first-rate bank in the region,” the bank s Director for treasury, financial institution and special asset management, Royke Tumilaar, said at a general lecture at Sam Ratulangi University on October 7, 2011. To achieve that position he said Bank Mandiri has already taken various efforts which are in essence aimed at developing the bank in all aspects to become the best.

“Mandiri right now is conducting the next or the second phase of transforma-tion from 2010 to 2014 and our wish is becoming an an admired institution be-cause it shows progressive development,” he said. He said to achieve progressive development Bank Mandiri is focussing on three things namely wholesale trans-actions from upstream to downstream meaning the bank would not only focus on big companies but also on their sup-pliers and distributors.

“Mandiri also focuses on retail pay-ment by increasing public service net-works such as the number of its automatic teller machines (ATM) to more than 8,000 units at present and they will not only be set up at branch levels and below them as well”, he said.

Royke said the third focus is retail financing to the middle and low levels as these sectors have proven resilient against crisis. “Right now we have set up 1,500 mini-offices in the micro-sector and this is all done with the aim of improving retail financing”, he said.

Royki is optimistic the three focuses could be implemented consistently and grow well, so that before 2014 the bank s goal to become a regional bank in Asia would be achieved. To accelerate the achievement he said Bank Mandiri would continue to increase its market capitaliza-tion from right now at around Rp14 trillion to Rp20 trillion before 2014.

Bank Mandiri is now one of renowned banks in Indonesia providing services to corporate, commercial, retail, consumer

finance, treasury, financial institution and special asset management segments.

The bank has several subsidiaries to support its main business namely Mandiri Sekuritas (capital market service), Bank Syariah Mandiri (shariah-based banking service), AXA-Mandiri Financial Service (insurance), Bank Sinar Harapan Bali (small and medium business service) and Mandi-ri Tunas Finance (financing service). The bank until June 2011 has 26,327 employ-ees, 1,442 branches and seven branch/representative/subisidiary offices abroad.

Bank Mandiri`s distribution ser-vices are completed with 61,664 units of electronic data capture network and electronic channels covering mobile, internet banking, SMS banking and call center 14000.

United Nations, New York - Indonesia and 20 other countries have been elected as members of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), United Nations organ facilitating international cooperation on standards-making and problem-solving in economic and social issues.

Indonesia has been a member of ECOSOC for eleven times, since Indonesia was accepted as the 60th member of the United Nations on September 28, 1950.

The 21 countries, which were elected in a UN General Assembly session, will serve in ECOSOC for three years, from 2012 to 2014. ECOSOC has 54 member countries.

On October 24, 2011, the 193-member

General Assembly elected 18 ECOSOC members, including Indonesia, while three countries, namely Switzerland, the Netherlands and Bulgaria, were appoint-ed to replace Norway, Belgium and Hun-gary, which had withdrawn. To become an ECOSOC member, a candidate must get votes from at least 2/3 of the UN Gen-eral Assembly`s member countries.

In the election, Indonesia, India and Japan won the seats to represent Asia, while Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Ni-geria and Libya represent Africa.

Latin America and Caribbean are represented by the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Brazil, and Cuba, while West Europe is represented by Span, France,

Germany, Ireland, and Turkey. The only seat available for East Europe is won by Belarus.

Previously Indonesia had become ECOSOC member for the periods of 2007-2009, 2004-2006, 1999-2001, 1994-1996, 1989-1991, 1984-1986, 1979-1981, 1974-1975, 1969-1971 and 1956-1958.

In 1970 and 2000, Indonesia had been elected as the president of ECOSOC, and in 1969 and 1999 as the Vice President of ECOSOC.

In recent years there has been mount-ing international support for strengthen-ing the role of ECOSOC both within the UN system of governance and in the gov-ernance of the global economy.

RI reelected as UN ECOSOC member

12 Equator - October 2011

Highlights

Jakarta - Vice President Boediono opened an Indonesia Wayang (tradi-tional Javanese puppet) Week 2011 and the 8th National Indonesian Wayang Secretaries Congress (Senawangi) at the Vice Presidential Palace on October 21, 2011.

In his address, the Vice President ex-pressed hope that the 8th Senawangi Congress would formulate attractive programs for the younger generation to love puppet.

Boediono on the occasion pointed out that in the past wayang was used as a medium of entertainment and dis-semination of values for the community including the younger generation and children.

Through the puppet stories, the people were educated in noble values, and wayang should remain an effective medium of education by continuously instilling noble values in the commu-nity, he said. “I hope Senawangi will formulate an interesting program for children and the younger generation so that they will develop a greater love for wayang shows,” the Vice President said.

He said the Government should con-tinue to support and preserve wayang as an educational tool rooted in Indone-sian civilization.

Themed, “World of Wayang,” the Indonesian Wayang Week 2011 will run from October 21 to 30 at the Indone-

sia Wayang Building, It will showcase various forms of wayang from Indonesia and other countries.

Language as the most important key towards ASEAN community

Jakarta - Language is the most impor-tant key towards the development of As-sociation of South East Asia Nation (ASE-AN) Community, Director Connector of Singapore associated with Educational Testing Service (ETS) Jessie Cheong said in Jakarta, on October 13, 2011.

“People, especially ASEAN workers, should realize the importance of master-ing English as an important tool of com-munication of ASEAN Community 2015 so that they will not get left behind,” she said in the opening of the seminar titled “ETS Leadership Seminar Series 2011: To-wards a Community of Nations (ASEAN 2015)” at Borobudur Hotel, Jakarta.

Jessie said there are some of ASEAN

countries, like Philippines and Singapore which have such good human resources mastering English so that they got more chances to work at foreign companies or abroad.

Jessie stated the ten percent of 18,6 million of Filipinos have worked abroad because of their good English skills. While Singapore, with English as its of-ficial language, has much more compe-tent workers for certain, said Jessie.

The founder of Center for Profes-sional Assessment Thailand Robert E. Woodhead also said ASEAN needs to make some standards for professional workers, especially related to their Eng-lish skills.

“In order to fulfill the three pillars of the ASEAN community, education, especially on English, is needed so that the development of ASEAN Community 2015 runs well and stable,” said Robert.

Robert stated an international stan-dard of English skill is needed so that workers, especially from ASEAN coun-tries, will have unlimited access to work in any ASEAN country.

Robert said skill in English can be measured by Test Of English for Interna-tional Communications (TOEIC) so that human resource practitioners of ASEAN country can widely open recruitment and compare one to another worker`s English skills effectively.

Vice President opened Indonesian Wayang Week and congress

Equator - October 2011 13

Highlights

Jakarta to host Greenright conference, EXPO in 2012

Jakarta - Green Building Council (GBC) Indonesia will organize a “Greenright” conference and exhibition at the Jakarta Convention Center on April 11-13, 2012.

The event`s objectives were to pro-mote green building practices among the general public, policy makers, in-dustrialists and students, GBC Indonesia spokesperson Naning Adiwoso said on October 14, 2011.

During the event, industrialists would be given opportunities to display their environmentally friendly products, she

said at the pre-launch of the Greenright events.

GBC Indonesia had forged coop-eration with 26 campuses to popularize Greenright. Students are encouraged to make green products and GBC Indonesia had made the regulations.

“They have the right to have this be-cause they are the future generation and have the right to lead a better life”, Nan-ing, an interior designer said.

Bintang Nugroho, the Deputy Chair-man of the GBC Indonesia s Organization

and Development Program, said now was the right time for Indonesia to adapt to a sustainable life in order to survive the impacts of climate change.

“We still have time to improve our life style, in order to make our planet a safer place for future generations. The life style must look at the environment”, Bintang said.

Various activities such as a student day, green job fair, and GBC Indone-sia free session would be held on the conference`s sidelines.

RI-Germany interfaith dialogue discussed multiculturalism

London - Indonesia and Germany held their second Interfaith and Intercul-tural Dialogue which discussed multicul-turalism and religious education at the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin from October 11 to 12, 2011.

“Multiculturalism was the main topic of the second Indonesia-German Inter-faith Dialogue,” Purno Widodo, Third Secretary at the Indonesian Embassy in Berlin, told ANTARA s London correspon-dent on October 12, 2011.

In the dialogue, the Indonesian del-egation was led by Bahrul Hidayat, Sec-retary General of the Religious Affairs Ministry. Members of both delegations were academics, journalists and religious

organization officials.The second Indonesian-German In-

terfaith and Intercultural Dialogue was meant to build mutual understandings and exchanges of experience between cultural and religious groups in both countries.

The results of the first dialogue which was held in Jogjakarta in 2010 included an agreement to hold the Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue regularly.

The second Indonesian-German In-terfaith and Intercultural Dialogue fo-cused on educational cooperation in order to create a religious life full of tol-erance and harmony between the two countries.

The dialogue was expected to result in concrete educational cooperation with German universities through stu-dent exchanges, scholarships, lecturer exchanges and other programs. The co-operation aims to increase the quality of education in Indonesia focusing on reli-gious aspects.

The participants of the second Indo-nesian-German Interfaith and Intercul-tural Dialogue not only held discussions but also made comparative study trips to some religious institutions in Berlin such as the Zentrum Moderner Orient, Foun-dation New Synagogue, Sehitlik Mosque and Museum of Islamic Art to witness re-ligious interaction in life in Germany.

14 Equator - October 2011

Highlights

Jakarta - The Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs has organized a “Youth and Sports Expo” in the form of a Youth and Sports Indonesia festival outside the Bung Karno Sports Stadium on Oc-tober 22-23, 2011.

The festival was held to enliven the 83th anniversary celebrations of the Youth Pledge. Besides the Expo which was attended by hundreds of partici-pants from youth and sports organiza-tions throughout the country, the fes-

tival was also designed as a center for various activities for creative child com-munity.

“The ministry of sports and youth provided 400 stands free of charge to accommodate excellent works of Indo-nesian youths from various parts of the country”, Lalu Wildan of the Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry said.

He said that there would also be supportive stands from community and creative industries and sports industry.

The festival was also be enlivened with various attractions, contests, fun-bikes and arts performance in four stages.

Wildan said that tens of band groups and arts troupes had registered online at www.youthfest-id.com. “In essence, this is the festivity of the youths, and is forum for them to express their creativ-ity, channel their talents and achieve-ments,” he said.

Around 600 Papua artists participated in Art Festival

Biak - Around 600 representative art-ists from every district of Papua took part in a Papua art festival 2011 which was held on October 15 in Biak Numfor 11.

According to ANTARA on October 11, 2011, the ceremony of the Papua art fes-tival was opened by Biak Regent Yusuf Melianus Maryen as a representative of Papua Governor Dr Syamsul Arief Rivai.

Previously, the Head Biak Culture and Tourism Agency Andris Kafiar stated that Biak, as the host of the event, was ready to hold the Papua Art Festival and sup-port the traditional culture of Papua.

Andris Kafiar said there was at least eight kinds of competitions in that event including Cenderawasih ballad dance, folklore, socio-drama, exhibition, booth decoration, folk songs and Papua danc-es.

“Through this art festival, all artists are expected to keep the originality of Papua traditional culture,” said Andris Kafar. Up to October 10, at least 20 dis-tricts was ready to participated in the art festival, including Jayapura, Jayawijaya, Supiori, Yapen Island, Waropen, Biak (as the host) and some rural districts.

The Head of the Department of Biak Culture and Tourism Andris Kafiar said Papua art festival 2011 was a medium to promote regional tourism because it showed various kinds of traditional arts and culture of Papua.

Youth and Sports Expo held in Jakarta

Through this art festival, all artists are expected to keep the original-ity of Papua traditional culture

Equator - October 2011 15

Highlights

Komodo visited by 42,000 foreign tourists this year

Government invites foreign film producers to operate in Indonesia

Jakarta - New Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu has invited foreign film producers to make films in Indonesia to help promote the country`s tourism.

“The government will encourage more international (film) producers to choose Indonesia`s panorama and nature for their films,” Minister Pangestu said in a press statement on October 23, 2011. International films using Indonesia`s panorama as their backgrounds will have significant benefit for the national tourism promotion, she said.

“In the future, we will apply one-door process and it`s complete,” Mari, former Trade Minister, said.

The Minister visited the shooting lo-cation of Hollywood film entitled “I, Alex Cross” which is directed by Rob Cohen, at Jasri village, Karangsem sub district, Bali Province.

She particularly invited Hollywood film directors to shoot films in Bali, the country`s most famous tourist resort. “It will give significant impacts on Indone-sia,” she said.

Therefore, she promised to ease the

licensing process for foreign film shoot-ing in the country.

Although the shooting duration for “I, Alex Cross” in Bali is just three days, Minister Mari Pangestu is optimistic the film would be effective in promoting Bali`s tourism industry.

In 2009, filming on Hollywood proj-ect, “Eat, Pray, Love,” starring by Julia Roberts took place in several locations in Gianyar, including Banjar Bentuyung, Banjar Nyuh Kuning, Pengosekan, the Ubud Art Market and Monkey Forest Park, Bali.

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara - Up to 42,000 foreign tourists have come to Komodo Tourist Resort in Labuhan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, so far this year.

“The number is an increase of 30 percent to that of last year which was recorded at only 25.000,” Head of Pro-motion Section of the local tourism and culture service, Bonafantura Rumat, said on October 18, 2011.

He said the increase of foreign tourist arrivals in the past few months was the result of promotion and the nomination of the huge lizard resort as candidates for the the world`s seven wonders.

Bonafantura said despite some short-comings the number of star-rated hotels available in the region had been quite sufficient. He said there are already two three star-rated hotels and one four star-rated hotel in the region.

He said however that other support-ing infrastructure such as roads, bridges as well as land and air transport still needed to be improved. “The airport meanwhile is not yet able to accommo-date wide-body aircraft”, he said.

But sea transport service has been quite adequate as some foreign tourists have come aboard a private cruise ship to the region, he said.

“We from the tourism and culture service have always coordinated with the sectors concerned with regard to im-proving the shortcomings to lure more tourists to the region”, he said.

16 Equator - October 2011

Focus

Indonesia greeted ASEAN people through ASEAN Fair

Jakarta - Do you want to see cultural , culinary and creative products of the ten ASEAN member countries ?. Just visit the ongoing ASEAN Fair 2011 and one can satisfy one`s curiosity without actually having to travel to those coun-tries.

The ASEAN Fair 2011 featuring mu-sic and food festivals, theatrical per-formances, and book and handicrafts expos, was officially kicked off by Presi-dent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at Nusa Dua, Bali, on October 24, 2011.

“With pleasure, I invite all the peo-ple (of ASEAN) to celebrate this Fair,” the President said in his remarks in the front yard of the Nusa Dua Convention Center.

The Head of State explained that the idea of ASEAN Fair 2011 in line with the vision of the ASEAN Charter on ASEAN community that brings together under one vision, one identity, and one caring and sharing community.

“We can promote ASEAN identity by enhancing mutual understanding and appreciation of differences and similarities in history, cultural heritage and our way of life. Culture is a uni-versal language that brings together the ASEAN countries,” President Yud-hoyono said.

According to the President, there are two main objectives in implement-ing the ASEAN Fair 2011.

The first, is to promote ASEAN cul-ture through the material exhibits ex-plaining the history, culture and way of life of the ASEAN community with mul-timedia, books, children`s drawings, and cultural objects such as paintings and textiles.

Secondly, it is to celebrate ASEAN`s wealth of creative industries through music, movies, books, cultural perfor-mances, art goods, textiles.

The ASEAN Fair is the President`s initiative to celebrate the rich cultural diversity in the ASEAN Community, and

to bring ASEAN closer to its people.It is a month-long celebration in Bali

and Jakarta, which will culminate in the 19th ASEAN Summit and Related Sum-mits in Bali in November 2011.

Tourism and Creative Economy Min-ister Mari Elka Pengestu, who was the concurrently the Chairperson of the Fair`s organizing committee, explained in Nusa Dua on Sunday (Oct 23) that “The theme of the ASEAN Fair this time was `Hello ASEAN` as a symbol of warm greeting from Indonesia as the host to all fellow members coming to Bali.”

“Hello ASEAN” is a universal lan-guage deeply rooted in the culture of ASEAN member countries in general.

“Through this universal cultural lan-guage, we want to give special honor to the ASEAN identity. This forum will show an ASEAN face reflecting the diversity of its cultural heritage, and historical, cultural and characteristic similarities of its community that make us one big regional community in the world”, she said.

The event is also aimed at strength-ening fraternity among the ten mem-ber countries of ASEAN.

“As the current Chair of ASEAN in 2011, Indonesia has initiated the ASE-AN Fair as a forum to jointly display cre-ative economic and cultural products of ASEAN,” Minister Mari Pangestu told the press in Nusa Dua on October 23, 2011.

She hoped that such an event could be organized annually in ASEAN, even after Indonesia was no longer the organization`s chair.

The ASEAN Fair reflected Indonesia`s special attention to the fraternal ties among the peoples of ASEAN, she said.

The Minister said that culture was a means to unify the nation that could also unite countries and, through the universal language of culture, Indone-sia wanted to honor in a special way ASEAN`s identity and the fraternal bonds existing among its peoples.

The Government planned to allo-cate Rp 101 billion (US$11.8 million) to organize the Fair with the objective of promoting the ASEAN Community.

Trade Ministry Secretary General

Ardiansyah Parman said in Jakarta re-cently that Rp 14 billion of the funds would be used for promotional and public relations activities, Rp 68 billion on main expo and festival activities, Rp 9.5 billion on opening and closing cer-emonies and the remainder on other things.

The opening ceremony was high-lighted by among other things parades of decorated cars, traditional Balinese percussion musicians and dancers, and closed with an acrobatic flying show by Indonesian Air Force`s “The Jupiters” performing 15 breath-taking manoeu-vre stunts.

Among Indonesia`s provinces par-ticipating in the ASEAN Fair is North Sulawesi which is exhibiting its tradi-tional foods.

“North Sulawesi special foods have the potential to be further developed, thus the local government will use the ASEAN Fair for the promotion of its home industry products,” the Head of North Sulawesi`s Industry and Trade of-fice, Sanny Parengkuan, said in Mana-do, North Sulawesi, recently.

Taking charge as ASEAN Chairman in 2011, Indonesia has set a target of making ASEAN a more people-cen-tered and people-driven organization.

Throughout 2011, Indonesia is doing its utmost to create a People-Oriented and People-Centered ASEAN.

The theme of Indonesia`s Chair is “ASEAN Community in a Global Com-munity of Nations”. This particular theme was selected to support the suc-cess of ASEAN Community 2015.

In 1967, Indonesia was one of the founding countries that signed the Bangkok Declaration that marked the establishment of ASEAN which now groups Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei Dar-ussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

“The theme of the ASEAN Fair this time was `Hello ASEAN` as a symbol of warm greeting from Indonesia as the host to all fellow members coming to Bali

by Fardah

Throughout 2011, Indonesia is do-ing its utmost to create a People-Oriented and People-Centered ASEAN

Focus

Equator - October 2011 17

RI can be example of inter-religious harmony

Jakarta - Indonesia s inter-religious harmony and tolerance which have often cited as an example to the rest of the world are in fact an important pillar supporting its existence as a state and nation.

Indonesia as a pluralist state and nation was formed on the basis of an agreement among all the elements of the country`s society that were of vari-ous religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Therefore, Vice President Boediono at a function to open the 10th Indone-sian Mahasabha Parisada Hindu Dharma meeting in the Indonesian resort island of Bali called on all religious communi-ties in the country to continue cultivating inter-religious tolerance and harmony.

“Inter-religious harmony and toler-ance, as well as social and cultural resil-ience should continue to be maintained, strengthened, and nurtured,” the Vice President said.

Boediono pointed out that all reli-gions taught the importance of mutual understanding, respect, and love; and that the founders of the Indonesian na-tion were well aware of this fact.

According to the Vice President, In-donesian society was pluralist because it was a composition of people with dif-ferent religious beliefs, meaning that a certain religious group could well be the majority in one region but a minor-ity in another region.

“Thus in a pluralist country, tolerance means that the majority group can pro-tect the minority, and the minority group should be wise in determining their place in society,” the Vice President said.

Inter-religious tolerance and harmony in Indonesia was even admired by Pope Benedict XVI and US President Barack Obama who said it could be an example to the rest of the world.

According to the Catholic News Ser-vice in its official website www.catholi-cregister.org, Pope Benedict XVI said that Indonesia could be an example of

inter-religious harmony to the world.Speaking to some 36 bishops of

Indonesia who made a so-called “ad limina” visit to the Vatican on October 7, 2011, the Pope said that by promoting dialogue and defending the rights of minorities, Catholics in Indonesia would contribute to the harmony of their na-tion and be an example to people in other parts of the world.

“Peaceful coexistence and cooperation among Indonesia s population of various religious and ethnic groups means the country is “well-placed to make impor-tant contributions to the quest for peace and understanding among the peoples of the world,” the Pope said.

The Pope told the bishops of Indonesia to bear witness to the image and likeness of God in each man, woman, and child by encouraging everyone to be open to dia-log in the service of peace and harmony.

According to Pope Benedict, the first way to share God`s love with humanity was to be loving and charitable. “This will also strengthen Indonesian society by promoting those values that your fellow citizens hold dear: tolerance, unity and justice for all citizens,” the Pope said.

Besides the Pope, US President Barack Obama when visiting Indonesian in No-vember 2010 said he was impressed by inter-religious tolerance in the country.

In his visit to Jakarta s Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia s largest, Obama praised his childhood homeland`s spirit of toler-ance as a model for Islam and the West.

The US President attentively listened to explanations from Istiqlal Mosque Grand Imam Ali Mustafa that the mosque was located just opposite Jakarta s cathe-dral, symbolizing religious harmony and interfaith cooperation in Indonesia.

Obama held up Indonesia - which tra-ditionally practices a tolerant form of Islam and has Christian, Hindu and Buddhist mi-norities - as an example of tolerance to the world in a tense age of colliding cultures.

“Even as this land of my youth has changed in so many ways, those things that I learned to love about Indonesia - that spirit of tolerance that is written into your constitution, symbolized in your mosques and churches and temples, and embodied in your people still lives on”, Obama said.

But Religious Affairs Minister Sury-adharma Ali admitted that as a plural-ist country, Indonesia was not free from conflict.

At a meeting with a German Parlia-mentary delegation, led by the country`s Parliament Deputy Speaker, Wolfgang Thierse, in Jakarta recently, Suryadhar-ma compared the Indonesian nation to a big family.

“As a family, small quarrels between husband and wife, brother and sister, and even parents and children, some-times happen and are perhaps unavoid-able,” the Minister said.

Suryadharma said that sectarian con-flicts did occur at times in Indonesia but it was really beyond the will of the religious leaders and religious communities. “I do not believe that there is ingrained hostility between Muslim and Christian commu-nities in Indonesia,” the United Develop-ment Party (PPP) General Chairman said.

Suryadharma also explained the is-sue of freedom of worship because there were certain parties who considered this freedom in Indonesia to be restricted.

He said in this world there was no absolute freedom because there were always restrictions under the laws and regulations. Suryadharma said that ev-erything in Indonesia was governed by law, and religious life was also subject to the religion`s laws and regulations.

“Therefore the freedom of worship, including that of determining religious teaching, should be based on the rule of law,” said the Religions Affairs Minister.

He also explained to the German par-liament delegation that Islam arrived a long time ago in Indonesia with peace and not with the sword, let alone a bomb, and that the arrival of Islam did not elimi-nate the culture which was there before.

The Religious Affairs Minister also said that there was someone who inten-tionally wanted to create disharmony and sectarian conflict in Indonesia.

He said someone wanted to create disharmony because the issue of religion was classified as sensitive and easily ig-nited sectarian conflict.

“There is a mastermind from a certain party who intentionally wants to create disharmony among religious communi-ties,” Suryadharma Ali said.

Boediono pointed out that all re-ligions taught the importance of mutual understanding, respect, and love; and that the founders of the Indonesian nation were well aware of this fact

18 Equator - October 2011

Focus

Jakarta - Having the potential to pro-duce up to 20 million tons of South Sea Pearl (SSP) a year, Indonesia intends to increase its pearl production to seven million from 5.7 million tons in 2010.

The country has so far used only around 28.5 percent of its pearl culti-vation potentials in eastern Indonesian waters such as in West Nusa Tenggara, Maluku Islands and Papua.

Of the total pearl production at 5.7 million tons, about 95 percent was ex-ported to Hong Kong, India, the Philip-pines and Japan with a total value of roughly 30 million dollars last year, Ma-rine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad said on October 12 when opening an Indonesian Pearl Festival 2011 being organized at Grand Indone-sia Shopping Town, in central Jakarta, until October 16, 2011.

“It`s far below the world`s total pearl trade value estimated at 1.5 billion US dollars per year,” he said.

Viewed from the country`s pearl trade value, Indonesia ranks eight in the list of the world`s SSP main exporting countries, after Hong Kong, Australia, China, Japan, Tahiti, Swiss, and the US.

Indonesia is the world`s largest pro-ducer of SSP which has unique char-acteristics in term of color and sparkle that make SSP popular in the interna-tional market.

The Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry`s Director General of aquacul-ture product management and market-ing, Victor Nakijuluw, said in Jakarta on September 7, 2011, that Indonesia sup-plied 53 percent of the world`s SSP de-mand.

The Indonesia Pearl Festival, which is the biggest pearl exhibition in In-donesia, is being joined by around 55 pearl traders and producers, according to Victor Nikijuluw. “The Pearl Festival will be organized annually,” he said.

He said the aim of the exhibition was among others to promoting Indonesia`s SSP in domestic and international mar-kets and disseminate information on products and strengthen SSP market-ing network.

“SSP is Indonesia`s prime commod-ity that has high economic value and good market prospect,” he said.

The Pearl Festival 2011, which is held for the first time, offers various prod-ucts and types of south sea pearl and handicrafts made of marine and aqua-culture products.

Colourful pearls such as white, yel-low, pink and black pearls are being of-fered in the festival, at a price of up to Rp75 million per pearl.

President Susilo Bambang Yud-hoyono has instructed the acceleration of development in eastern Indonesian regions. In this case, pearl can become main product of the regions, the Minis-ter said.

West Nusa Tenggara, for instance, produced around 600 kg of pearl annu-ally, according to Bambang Setiawan, the deputy chairman of the Indonesian Pearl Cultivation Association`s organiza-tion section, in Lombok Sumbawa Pearl Festival 2011 which was held Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), last July.

The NTB pearls, which have 27 dif-ferent colors, are exported to pearl jew-elry producers overseas, including in New York (the United States), Tokyo (Ja-pan), Geneva and Zurich (Switzerland) and Milan (Italy).

South sea pearl has been considered Indonesia`s main export commodity having high economic value and bright prospects.

The SSP cultivation businesses in-volve at least 27 medium and large scale companies employing more than 8,000 workers particularly in eastern In-donesian regions.

Given the huge pearl production potentials in this country, Minister Fadel has called for the strengthening of the national pearl branding. “It`s pity if the

SSP branding is not managed properly. I want this to become our image,” Min-ister Fadel said in the opening of Pearl Festival 2011 at Grand Indonesia.

Minister Fadel planned to revitalize the SSP business by among other things strengthening associations related to pearl cultivation, boosting promotion activities, and issuing a presidential decree on coastal land spatial to sup-port the SSP cultivation business. “In the near future a ministerial decree on pearl culture and trade will be issued,” he said.

He said the decree would among other things regulate the standards of pearls that were brought into or taken out of the country.

Fadel said a lot of pearls had been taken out of Indonesia easily in plastic bags by tourists due to the absence of regulations. “People have easily taken pearls abroad without having been reg-istered first causing their price to fluc-tuate and bad,” he said.

The Minister hoped with the issu-ance of the regulation on pearl culture pearl trade would be more orderly and progressive. He did not tell the date when the regulation would be issued.

Other problems relating to pearl culture meanwhile are among others theft during harvest seasons that have caused a loss to farmers and arrivals of low quality or fake pearls from China, he said.

With regard to security Fadel said he would coordinate with the navy and marine police to get a standard of secu-rity needed in pearl culture. Indonesia`s SSP has received international recogni-tion for its high quality.

“The quality of Indonesian pearls, including from Lombok, is excellent. In general, Indonesia`s oyster lips are more goldish, and buyers prefer them. So, Indonesia cannot be considered in-ferior in this business”, Simon Adams, the Managing Director of Atlas South Sea Pearl, an Australian pearl company, said as quoted by Kompas last July.

Simon said he had traveled around the world to look for the finest pearls, and he has found them in Indonesia. “I think I have found the best pearls here, in Indonesia,” he said.

Of the total pearl production at 5.7 million tons, about 95 percent was exported to Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, and Japan with a total value of roughly 30 million dollars last year. The NTB pearls, which have 27 different colors, are ex-ported to pearl jewelry producers overseas, including in New York (the United States), Tokyo (Japan), Geneva and Zurich (Switzerland), and Milan (Italy)

Indonesia to increase pearl production to seven million tons annually by Fardah

Focus

Equator - October 2011 19

by Fardah

Gorontalo aspires to become world-class corn producing region

Jakarta - Gorontalo is preparing itself to host a World Maize Conference (WMC) in 2012 which it sees as a forum that will bring it one step closer to its goal of becoming a world-class corn producing region.

The provincial government is ready to be the venue of the World Maize Confer-ence in 2012 following its big success in hosting World Food Day celebrations from October 20-23 this year.

Maize, known in many English-speaking countries as corn, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in pre-historic times. After Europeans established contacts with the Americas in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, explorers and trad-ers carried maize back to Europe and intro-duced it to other countries.

Maize then spread to the rest of the world, including Indonesia, because of its ability to grow in diverse climates.

Gorontalo Corn Information Center chief Mulyadi Mario said on October 30, 2011, that the World Food Day celebration in Gorontalo was the province s first step to prepare itself for the World Maize Confer-ence in 2012.

Corn production had over the past 10 years made significant contributions to Gorontalo province s economic growth. Mulyadi said the World Maize Conference was initially to be held in 2011 but it was postponed to next year because the prov-ince had to host World Food Day this year.

He said the world maize conference would be a much greater event than the World Food Day celebration. “At the World Maize Conference we are going to discuss corn in all of its relevant aspects, such as technology, production, markets, and pro-cessing industries”, he said.

Mulyadi expressed optimism that Gorontalo whose icon was corn would be able to successfully host the WMC-2012. He said the world maize conference next year would be attended by government offi-cials, businessmen, importers and export-ers from many countries.

Meanwhile, a Gorontalo provincial gov-ernment official, Winarni Monoarfa said that corn from the province was exported to neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Japan, China and South Korea.

She said the province planned to intro-

duce new corn-growing technology to the world during the world maize conference next year considering that world demand for the crop was increasing. According to her, annual corn production in Gorontalo was predicted to reach 1 million tons this year and projected to increase in the years to come.

Mulyadi Mario, the Gorontalo Corn In-formation Center Chief, also said that in an effort to increase agricultural production the province was currently working to de-velop genetically-modified or transgenic corn.

Transgenic corn is corn that has under-gone a genetic modifying (GM) process which gives it agronomically desirable traits.

Traits that have been engineered into corn include resistance to herbicides and resistance to insect pests, the latter being achieved by incorporation of a gene that codes for the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin.

According to Wikipedia, transgenic maize was in 2009 grown commercially in 11 countries, including the United States where 85 percent of the maize crop was genetically modified, Brazil with 36 percent GM), Argentina with 83 percent GM, South Africa with 57 percent GM, Canada with 84 percent GM, the Philippines with 19 percent GM, and and Spain 20 percent GM.

Mulyadi said the transgenic corn pro-duced from genetically-modified seed was resistant to insect pests and pesticides and therefore it has higher productivity than lo-cally produced corn. He said one hectare of transgenic corn plants could produce 12 to 15 tons of corn but conventional local corn plants are able to yield only three to four tons.

Therefore Mulyadi said Gorontalo was ambitious to be a world-class corn produc-ing province by organizing the World Maize Conference in 2012 after successfully host-ing World Food Day.

Vice President Boediono officiated at the the World Food Day celebration in Gorontalo on October 20, 2011, and then toured the field where various food-related objects were on display. He observed a “corn tower”, “sustainable food home” and a World Food Day technology exhibition.

On the occasion, the Vice President also symbolically presented representatives of 71 farmer groups with an aid package for the development of a rural agribusiness community worth Rp 7.1 billion.

Gorontalo Governor Gusnar Ismail at the time said the province was ready to help ensure food security in Indonesia by relying on two commodities namely rice and corn.

In Bone Bolango where the ceremony to observe the 31st World Food Day took place, the Governor explained that in-creased production of both commodities would also boost national food production. “We are optimistic that Gorontalo will con-tribute significantly to national food securi-ty because of its efforts to develop corn and rice in the past 10 years”, Gusnar declared.

Up to 2010 Gorontalo had a 2.250-hect-are potential area for rice field with a pro-duction capacity of 253.563 tons besides 697.168 tons of corn. “Gorontalo enjoyed a surplus in the production of the two com-modities, and that s why the province was able to more than meet its own food de-mand and export the surplus to a number of countries”, the Governor said.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Sus-wono said Gorontalo was chosen to host the World Food Day ceremony this year because the province was able to meet its own food needs. “I hope Gotontalo s ambi-tion to become a world-class corn produc-ing region will come true and it will be able to contribute to national and even world food security,” the Minister said.

Indonesia s paddy production has over the past few years increased significantly with its annual growth recently recorded at 3.2 percent. Rice production stood at over 54.34 million tons and corn production at more than 53 million tons.

by Otniel Tamindael

Gorontalo enjoyed a surplus in the production of the two commodi-ties, and that`s why the province was able to more than meet its own food demand and export the surplus to a number of countries Gorontalo was chosen to host the World Food Day ceremony this year because the province was able to meet its own food needs

20 Equator - October 2011

Focus

AJPF 2011: Ambon set to become a city of music extravagant

Ambon - Ambonese-Dutch soul, jazz and funk singer Jessica Manuputty performed at the Ambon Jazz Festival. Despite a recent outbreak of violence, attendance doubled from last year’s fes-tival to nearly 8.000 people.

Now in its third year, the Ambon Jazz Plus Festival brought a renewed sense of hope to the people of Maluku last weekend as the event united peo-ple of all religions through their shared love of music. With the theme “Hands for Brotherhood”, the three-day event

celebrated local and international talent and promoted better relations among the people of the Spice Islands. After the bloody violence between 1999 and 2002 that left more than 5,000 people, religious clashes broke out again last month, prompting fears that the festival would be canceled.

Religious tensions grew when a text message was circulated claiming that a Muslim motorcycle taxi driver had been killed by Christians, and that the death had been covered up by the police, who called it a road accident. Eight people were killed and 67 injured in the result-ing violence between the two commu-nities. But the people of Ambon put that recent ugliness behind them and helped to make last weekend’s festival a success. On Saturday (Oct 8, 2011), in front of thousands of spectators, Festi-val Director Andy Manuhutu and Am-bonese singer Andre Hehanusa led a peace ritual, known locally as a pela gandong, which is an oath of peace made between different villages based on common ancestral ties.

Ambonese people of all ages and religious backgrounds joined hands to form a circle, before singing “Maluku Tanah Pusaka” (“Maluku, the Sacred Land”), considered to be a cultural an-them for the people of the islands. “It was a very electrifying moment”, Andy said. Ambon has long been known as

a hub for musical talent in Indonesia, producing popular singers such as Bob Tutupoly, Yopie Latul, Harvey Malaiholo and the late Utha Likumahuwa.

The island’s local musicians were joined by a strong international con-tingent at this year’s festival, including American jazz guitarist David Becker, French pianist Cedric Hanriot and the Ambonese-Dutch jazz and soul singer Jessica Manuputty. The international musicians said they were thrilled to be part of the event.

Manuputty said she was pleased to finally have the opportunity to perform in Ambon, and Hanriot claimed to be the first French musician to perform on the island. Becker also said he had a special connection with Ambon. “My mother was born in Indonesia and lived for two years in Ambon”, he said.

National favorites drew the largest crowds, including acts like the Gugun Blues Shelter and pop singer Sandhy Sondoro, who rose to fame after win-ning a singing contest in Latvia. Sandhy said he had concerns about performing in Ambon, but after spending a day in the city, the singer said he found it to be a warm and welcoming place. Fans sang along to Sandhy’s most popular

numbers during his electrifying perfor-mance, going wild when he launched into the hit track “Malam Biru” (“Blue Night”). “I really hope that the people of Ambon can live in harmony”, the singer said. “No more conflict.” Drummer Adi-tyo Wibowo of the Gugun Blues Shel-ter also found the visit to be a positive experience. “Ambon is such a beautiful city with so much potential”, he said. “The crowds here were awesome, too. We’re so glad they liked our music.”

This year’s festival was held in Am-bon’s central Pattimura Square for the first time, with the hope that the loca-tion would help draw more people. The strategy worked — the estimated crowd at the event doubled from last year’s festival, with around 8.000 people watching performances over the three days. Director Andy said the festival’s success made all the hard work worth-while. “People thought we were crazy to start an annual music event in Ambon”, he said. “But we didn’t care, because we always believed that we could put on a good music festival here. And sure enough, there were so many great mu-sicians eager to perform.”

The festival’s Executive Director, Semuel Samson, an entrepreneur and

Art and music are the soul of the people of Maluku and it is inte-greted strongly in their culture and daily living. Therefore, the festival was annualy held in Am-bon - the city of music

Focus

Equator - October 2011 21

Indonesia’s Ambassador to Serbia, said he hoped the event’s success would boost investor confidence in the region. “Through the success of this event, I

hope that investors will start coming to Ambon and Maluku”, he said. “That’s why I insisted that the event should go on as planned despite the clashes that occurred in September”. Semuel Sam-son also said that bringing the people of Maluku together for an international-standard music event promoted peace and a sense of pride in the region. “Look at these young people here”, he said. “They can all have fun together, even though they all come from different re-ligious backgrounds”. Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu praised the event, and named Ambon “The city of music”. “We have the potential to become an

icon of music in Indonesia”, he said. “We want to create a new image for Ambon”. He added that plans were under way to establish a music school for the island. Semuel pledged his commitment to seeing the festival grow year after year. “This event will be held every year”, he said. “In the same week of the same month. The spirit of consistency needs to be maintained”. Semuel insisted that the festival had a bigger mission than just bringing musicians to Ambon. “It opens the door for people of all places to come here to Ambon and Maluku”, he said.

This year’s festival was held in Am-bon’s central Pattimura Square for the first time, with the hope that the location would help draw more people. The strategy worked — the estimated crowd at the event doubled from last year’s festival, with around 8,000 people watching performances over the three days

22 Equator - October 2011

Business

World’s Major SupplierIndonesian crustaceans have gained

global recognition as the exporters have complied with food re4gulations in the U.S., Japan and European Union (EU). International strategic market research institution Trade Map recorded that In-donesian crustacean export was the world‘s four biggest in 2008. Securing 7.19 percent of the market share. during those year, Indonesian crustacean export reached 149,600 tones or worth around US $ 41.07 billion.

The U.S. and Japan have been the biggest importers of Indonesian crusta-ceans. The Central Statistic Agency (BPS) recorded that the crustaceans export to the U.S and Japan in 2009 reached US$ 349 million (41.32 percent) and US$ 305 million (36.11 percent), respectively. Other major buyers include the UK (US$34 mil-lion), Belgium US$ 25 million) and Hong Kong (US$19million). Indonesian crusta-ceans have potential to further expand the market share as export growth have been seen in several other countries; in-cluding France (US$ 14 million or increase by 710.39 percent); Taiwan (US$4 million or increase by 260 percent); and Canada (UAS$2.29 million or increase by 98.9 per-cent).

Indonesia exports crustaceans in vari-ous forms; fresh, chilled, frozen, not fro-zen, prepared, preserved and solid in not airtight containers. Among the exporter of crustaceans, shrimps and crabs are the most important commodities. Shrimp export contributed as much as US$ 1 million in 2007, the biggest from the sec-tor. Crabs are the second most wanted crustaceans after shrimps, contributing around US$179 million from the export in 2007.

PrawnsPrawns are similar to the lobsters, as

they have two pairs of small pincers, but they are similar in size to shrimps. Shrimps and prawns are the most popular type of seafood that is consumed in restaurants and homes all around the world. They are used in a wide number of dishes ranging from curries to rice dishes to salads and

even delicious just eaten on their own. Popular varieties include the giant tiger prawn, deep water prawn or Northern shrimp, spot shrimp, pink shrimp, white shrimp, brown shrimp, king prawn and bay prawn. Prawns and shrimps can be green, brown, blue, white or yellow color before cooking, and turn pink with white meat after cooking.

ShrimpsShrimps continue to be the most im-

portant fishery product in term of value, contributing more than 40 percent of the total export value from the sector. Shrimps are produced from both aqua-culture activities (57%) and marine cap-ture (41 %). Lampung and South Sumat-era provinces are the biggest producers of the aquaculture shrimps. As for the shrimps from the marine capture, the main producers are North Sumatra and Maluku provinces.

LobstersLobsters meat perfect for a light,

healthy meal, since fresh lobster meat has very low cholesterol, calories and sat-urated fat than skinless chicken or turkey with abundance source of protein.

CrabsCrabs are currently second most

wanted crustaceans after shrimps. These exquisite treats are known for their mild taste that is remarkably sweet, tender and juicy. The white meat, containing a hint of red, can be baked or steamed. Most of crabs produced in Indonesia are from marine capture (around 75 percent), while the craps produced from aquacul-ture activities still contribute small por-tion (around 25 percent) ton the total national output. Despite the global crisis, crabs export showed growth in 2008. As of September 2008, the crabs export booked as much as US$178 million or most equal with US$179 million booked in the full year of 2007. Indonesian crabs producers have been able to produce pasteurized crabs which enable custom-ers to enjoy crab-mix menu all year long.

List of exportersPT ALAM JAYA

Jl. Rungkut Industri II No. 25, SurabayaPhone : (62-31) 8495811Fax : (62-31)8496167E-mail : alamjaya@sby.centrin.net.idpt_alam_jaya@yahoo.comWebsite: www.alamjayaseafood.com

Product:• Tuna fish, Crustanceas, Moluscs, Cuttle Fish Live, Fresh or Frozen-Fish, Cuttle Fish Frozen-Fish, Other Invert, Octopus Live, Fresh or Chilled/Fish, Octopus Frozen-Fish.

PT ASHER PRIMATAMA LESTARI

Jl. Karang Bolong Raya No.8,Ancol Barat Jakarta-14430, IndonesiaPhone (62-21) 5389939, 5389941Fax (62-21) 6909326Email: asherplfarm@cbn.net.id, info@aplfishfarm.com, sales@aplfishfarm.comContact person: Aswan Kwek, Herman Oei

Product: Crustaceans, Mollusks, whether in shell or not, live, fresh or chilled.

Gedung Sampurna Strategi Square Lt.3 TowerA.Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav.45Jakarta, IndonesiaPhone (62-21) 57950889Fax (62-21) 57950890Email :import_dif@centrin.net.id

Contact person: Handoyo GunawanProduct: Crustaceans, whether in shell or not, Fish Meat For Human Consumption, Fish, frozen, Mollusks, whether in shell or not, Live, Fresh or Chilled, Product of Fish or Crustaceans,•Mollusks or other Aquatic Invertebrate.

PT FISHINDO KUSUMA SEJAHTERA TBK

Indonesia’s best export products

Crustaceans

Business

Equator - October 2011 23

PT FRESH AND ON TIME SEAFOOD

Jl. Raya Narogong Km 26.5Kawan Industri Kembang KuningKecamatan Kelapa NuggalBogor 16820-Jawa Barat IndonesiaE-mail :marketing@freshontime.comWebsite : www.freshontime.com

Products: Frozen fish, pasteurized crabmeat, baby clams, crab cakes.

PT INDU MANIS

Jl. KIG Raya KAV. G-1 Kebomas, GresikPhone :(62-31)399293, 3985321,3985320Fax : (62-31) 3972819, 985320E-mail : exim_indumanis@yahoo.com

Contact person:Gunawan-Director- (62-31) 3989293

Product: Shrimps and Prawns Prepared or Pre Served, Prep. of Meat, Fish, Crust, Mollusks.

Jl. Muara Karang Blok 0 VI Timur No. 2Jakarta Utara – 14450Phone (62-21)6681576, 6680044Fax (62-21)6618095E-mail : frid-doc@indo.net.id

Contact person:I Gusti Nyoan Artawan

Product: Crustaceans, whether in shell or not, Mollusks, whether in shell or not, Live4, Fresh or Chilled, Tuna.

PT INTIMAS SURYA

Jl. KIG Raya Selatan Kav. C-5, Kawasan Industri GresikPhone (62-31) 39763513Fax (62-31) 3976350E-mail: kml@kmlseafood.com, lalam@kmlseafood.comwebsite: www.kmlseafood.com

Contact Person : Mohammad Nadjikh, Ir. -Direktur Utama- (62-31) 3976351Product: Fish, frozen-Fish, Crustaceans, Mollusks, Oth.Invert, Octopus Frozen-Fish, Crustaceans, Mollusks, Oth.InvertCrabs, frozen-Fish, Crustaceans, Mollusks, Oth.Invert.

PT KELOLAL MINA LAUT

24 Equator - October 2011

Travel

Once known as the Spice Islands, an epithet also applies to the entire Malu-ku area, the Bandas were famous as a source of spices, especially nutmeg. First colonized by the Portuguese, the Dutch soon wrested control of the islands and fought the Spice Wars with the British. In the Treaty of Breda in 1667, the Brit-ish agreed to withdraw and gave up Run island to the Dutch, partly in exchange for one small island on the other side of the world: New Amsterdam, now better known as Manhattan, New York.

The people of Banda thrived on their natural resources, but in later years suf-fered at the hands of Dutch colonizers who wanted to dominate the world’s spice trade.

Despite such a big reputation, the fabled Banda islands are only a tiny cluster of islands, composed of three large islands and seven smaller ones. The islands are perched on the rim of Indonesia’s deepest underwater gorge, the Banda Sea, where waters can reach depths of over 6,500 meters.

Two of the biggest islands, Banda Besar and Naira, are covered with nut-meg trees. The third island, Gunung Api or ‘peak of fire’, is an active vol-cano that emerges from the deep in a perfect cone, and is entirely rugged and highly volcanic. In the waters sur-rounding these islands you’ll find some of the world’s most spectacular marine gardens, with bright corals and colorful fish, bustling through the crystal-clear waters, making it suitable for diving, snorkeling or even simply sightseeing.

Lying about 132 kilometers south-east of Ambon, the islands are a remote

and exquisitely beautiful part of Indone-sia. With multi-colored reefs, warm seas and exotic marine life, the Banda’s are a haven for divers who come from around the world to explore some of the most remote and unspoiled dive sites in the world.

Today, Banda attracts divers, sailors and cruise ships from around the world by its sheer natural beauty, both above as below the sea.

The Banda Islands are one of the In-donesia’s most popular destinations for divers. Both experts and beginner div-ers will enjoy themselves there, as the diving spots vary from the shallow la-goon between Bandaneira and Gunung Api, to the vertical walls of Hatta Island. Wherever you go there, you’ll discover stunning tropical scenery, a remarkable

history, friendly locals, and some of the globe’s most pristine, biologically di-verse coral reefs.

Scuba diving is still relatively new here, but pioneering divers didn’t have to work hard to find a thrill. The under-sea world around Ambon and the near-by island of Saparua have top-rate dive sites. As you explore beneath the sur-face you’ll see everything from sharks, enormous turtles, schools of Napoleon Wrasse, giant groupers, dogtooth tuna, mobula rays, redtooth triggerfish, vari-ous species of whales, spinner dolphins, and huge lobsters.

Come to Banda islands and visit the best kept secret in Eastern Indone-sia. While flights are now frequent, it’s worth the wait.

Banda islands highlights

“PEAK OF FIRE” MOUNTAINGunung Api island or ‘peak of fire’, is an active volcano that emerges from the deep in a perfect cone, and is entirely rugged and highly volcanic. In the waters surrounding these islands you’ll find some of the world’s most spectacular marine gardens, with bright corals and colorful fish, bustling through the crystal-clear waters, making it suitable for diving, snorkeling or even simply sightseeing.

Banda islands - Eastern Indonesia’s best kept secret

Travel

Equator - October 2011 25

DIVINGThe Banda Islands are one of Indonesias

top destinations for divers. Both experts and beginners will enjoy themselves here, as the diving ranges from the shallow lagoon between Banda Neira and Gunung Api to the vertical walls of Hatta Island, the most easterly in the group. The Bandas offer stun-ning tropical scenery, a remarkable history, friendly villages, and some of the globe’s most pristine, biologically diverse coral reefs. Scuba is new here, but the pioneering div-ers didn’t have to work hard for their thrills. The undersea world around Ambon and the nearby island of Saparua have top-rate dive sites. Highlights among reef walls here are the presence of large marine life - sharks, enormous turtles, schools of Napoleon Wrasse, giant groupers, tuna, rays, and huge lobsters - neighbors to generous schools of reef fish.

The Banda Islands, about 132 kilometers southeast of Ambon, consists of three larger islands and seven smaller ones, perched on the rim of Indonesia’s deepest sea, the Banda Sea. Near the island Manuk, the water reach-es a depth of more than 6,500 meters. Of the three biggest islands Banda, Banda-Neira and Gunung Api, the first two are covered with nutmeg trees and other vegetation. The third is entirely bare and highly volcanic. The seas around Banda are the site of the fa-mous Maluku sea gardens with their bright corals and colorful fish darting through the crystal- clear waters.

CLIMBING ADVENTUREClimbing the highest peak of the Bandas

(667m above sea level) offers great views and some vulcanic insight. The trail starts at the few houses on the eastern shore and al-though it is unmarked almost impossible to miss. Bring plenty of water (minimum 3l per person!) as the trail is continously ascending for around 2 hours. Good shoes are advis-able as the path is stony and slippery. No guide necessary but not a bad idea if you intend to climb without anyone else.

TO EATFresh seafood plucked straight from the

ocean is a treat here. Guesthouse staff will be happy for prepare whatever seafood you are after. Usually the fish is grilled to make one portion of delicious ikan bakar ( grilled fish ).

While you are here in the home of nut-meg, you’ll have the chance to nutmeg jam in mostly every guesthouse in Bandaneira. Nutmeg is also available in form of preserved food (manisan pala) and dried fruit slices.

Banda islands highlightsMARTHA CHRISTINA TIAHAHU STATUEThe statue is a tribute to an anti colonial resistance heroine who fought against the Dutch alongside her father in 19th century. From place you’ll see some splendid views of the town and Ambon bay.

DIVING PARADISEBanda Islands are amongst the most unique destinations in the world for divers. Sponges so huge you won’t believe your eyes, the vast variety of life including turtles, mobula rays and many more

NUTMEGUntil the middle of 19th century the Banda Islands were the world’s only source of the spices nutmeg and mace, produced from the nutmeg tree from Banda islands

SAIL BANDA

Sail Banda is an annual yacht race that takes competitors from Darwin, Australia through to the beautiful Banda Islands. More than 100 yachts competing from around the world and sail under a bright blue sky.

26 Equator - October 2011

Embassy News

Celebration of 66th Indonesian National Armed Forces Day

On October 5, 2011, in Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade, the Ambassador Semuel Samson has led a ceremony to mark the 66th Anniversary of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) that was attended by all the staff of the Embassy, Dharma Wanita Persatuan members and Indonesian community in Serbia. This year s ceremony to mark the 66th Anniversary of TNI was themed “With integrity and professionalism, TNI with national components are ready to maintain and uphold the sovereignty and integ-rity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)”. After the successful ceremony, the Ambassador had the honour to deliver the peak of the ‘Tumpeng’ to one of the local staff at the Indonesian Defense office in Belgrade, Mrs. Mira Šekarić.

In the frame of this anniversary, on October 18, 2011, the Indonesian Embassy has organized the “Mini Shooting Competition” and cocktail party in Partizan Shooting Club in Belgrade, that was attended by the many officials from the Serbian Government, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, representatives of the Serbian military industry, Head of Diplomatic Missions and their Defense Attaches, International Organizations and other respected counterparts.

This year, the celebration of the Anniversary of the Indonesian National Defense Forces was marked in different way and was responded very positive by all the participants. The competition was in shooting using pistol CZ-999 and cal. 9 mm bullets, in two rounds of disciplines. The first was the round target of 50x50 cm at distance of 15 meters with 3 sighting shots and 5 bullets precise hit fire with the limit of one minute per round. The second, was the rapid fire at the round target from 15 meters with time limits of 3 seconds for each round and with 5 bullets.

The excitement was overflowed during the competition, many of the participants had the experience in shooting but there were also many of them who just wanted to try for the first time. While others were enjoying the cocktail, Indonesian snacks and live music in the outdoor area of the Partizan Shooting Club.

After three hours of individual shootings and pleasant music as well, the committee of judges from the Partizan Club an-nounced the winners. The first prize was won by Mr. Aleksandar Djenić from the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affars with 93 points, the second prize by Mr. Branislav Vukadinović with 90 points also from the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affars and the third prize by Mr. Šandor Horvarth with 89 points from OSCE Mission. The special prize for the best beginner category among ladies was won by Mrs. Julie Rice, spouse of Air Attache from Embassy of USA, who gain the one year free membership at the Partizan Shooting Club.

The shooting competition was sponsored by two respected Serbian companies, the manufacturer of firearms and artillery “ZASTAVA Arms” from Kragujevac that has provided one pistol CZ-999 for the first prize winner, and ammunition factory “PRVI PARTIZAN” from Uzice who provided 9 mm cal. ammunitions for the rest of the winners.

Equator - October 2011 27

Embassy News

activities

28 Equator - October 2011

Embassy News

The Darmasiswa program is a scholarship program offered by the Indonesian Government to foreign students from countries which have Diplomatic relationship with Indonesia to study Bahasa Indonesia, traditional music, traditional dance, and Indo-nesian craft. The program aims to promote Indonesian culture and language and is given to foreign students who are willing to take a non-degree program. For Darmasiswa academic year of 2011/2012, the Government of Indonesia has awarded 12 students from Serbia to learn Bahasa Indonesia as well as traditional dances, art and culture in universities in Java, East Nusa Tenggara and Bali. Each year the number of students from Serbia applied for the program has increased, which shows a great interest from the Serbians to get to be acquainted with the Indonesian culture.The Developing Countries Partnership (KNB) program is a scholarship program offered by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia for students to undergo their Master studies in Indonesia. The object of the study offered are vari-ous, starting from politic, international studies, tourism and social sciences, in many top universities in Indonesia. Since 2002 up to 2010, there are 582 students from 53 countries that has completed the Master studies through this program. For the academic year of 2011/2012, two students from Serbia has been awarded the scholarship to study in Indonesia.

Serbian scholarship students generation 2011 departed to Indonesia

Equator - October 2011 29

Embassy News

RI’s students who received the scholarship “The World in Serbia” have started their studiesThe second generation of Indonesian students have arrived in Belgrade in the frame of Serbian Governments Scholarship Fund “The World in Serbia” that was established since 2010. The Scholarship Fund “The World in Serbia” is for students from Non Aligned Movement countries for university studies in Serbia that was built on tradition of Yugoslavia student exchange pro-grams of the past that enabled generations of future leaders from NAM member states. For this academic year, two Indonesian students was granted this scholarship and has started the course of Serbian language and culture, and next year will be fol-lowed by studies in one of the faculties of the prestigious University of Belgrade.

Indonesian language courses in BelgradeBased on the initiative from the Indonesian Embassy to introduce Indonesian language in Serbia, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, has received the arrival of In-donesian language teacher, Mr. Yudi Permadi, in Belgrade on October 2011. The program started soon after the teacher’s arrival with Indonesian language class in the Embassy for the members of the Serbia-Indonesia Friendship Association “Nusantara”, the Embassy local staff, members of the Balinese dance class, students of the Belgrade Indonesian School, as well as Indonesian class at the Foreign Language Center in Ilija M. Kolarac Foundation.Considering that Mr. Yudi Permadi is also a lecturer at the Padjajaran University, which already signed the MoU on educational cooperation with the University of Belgrade, the Embassy will encourage further cooperation between the two universities, among others regarding the possibility to open an Indonesian language major in the University of Belgrade.

30 Equator - October 2011

Embassy News

Ambon Jazz Plus Festival 2011

In the first week of October, the groove of Jazz has landed on the city of Ambon in the province of Maluku, as the Ambon Jazz Plus Festival got underway from 7 to 9 October 2011. The Festival was held at the Pattimura square, right in the center of town, located by the City Hall and government office buildings.

The Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Semuel Samson as the founder and Executive Director of AJPF along with Governor of Maluku, Mayor of Ambon, Commander of Military Territory “Pattimura XVI”, Director of National Bank of Indonesia (BNI), Director of “Djarum” company and AJPF Director have officially opened the festival on 7 October 2011.

This year, the organizing committee and its community have decided to bring the Festival to the very center of town in order to underline this year’s theme: “Ambon, the Music City”. This is to broadcast to the world that Ambon is a city in the Eastern region of Indonesia that is blessed with plentiful talents in art, songs, music and dance. Furthermore it is hoped that, following this, the region will also focus on art and music as the medium to develop future generations. During the three great days of festival, over 8.000 visitors enjoyed the performances from many jazz musicians from USA, Europe, Asia and Indonesia.

Next year in 2012, AJPF committee has invited the world to come to the officially inaugurate the MUSIC CITY of Indonesia - Ambon. Year 2012 will be the year of “COMING HOME” to those that love musics, to those that play music, to those that are crazy about music. Considered the coming to Ambon Jazz Plus Festival 2012 as their ”COMING HOME”.

Equator - October 2011 31

Embassy News

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Embassy News

On October 30, 2011, the Ambassador Sem-uel Samson has attended the 27th Belgrade Jazz Festival in Belgrade and had the plea-sure to enjoy the music performance one of best Serbian jazz maestro Duško Gojković. On this year, BJF had payed special atten-tion to this Serbian legend, who has marked his 80th birthday on the stage of Dom Om-ladine with Big Band RTS, and has shared his special day with Belgrade’s citizens through many good old jazz music.On this ocassion, the Indonesian Am-bassador had the pleasure to personaly extend the congratulations to Mr. Duško Gojković and invited him to participate on the next AJPF in Ambon, Indonesia.

Belgrade Jazz Festival marked the 80th birthday of Serbian jazz maestro Duško Gojković

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Embassy News

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Embassy News

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Media

Semuel Samson

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Media

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Photo News

AMBASSADOR’S ACTIVITIES

Meeting with Ambassador of Serbia to the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Jovan Jovanovic

Opening of the painting exhibition “From Serbia we imagine Indonesia” organized by Friendship Association “Nusantara”

Meeting with Vice Governor of the National Bank of Serbia, Mrs. Mira Erić-Jović

At the Belgrade Jazz Festival with the dirigent of RTS jazz orchestra Mr. Ivan Ilić after the performance

At the Serbian Progressive Party meeting in Niš

Meeting with H.E. Mr. Branko Branković, Adviser to the Speaker of National Assembly of Serbia

Attending the 7th ECPD Conference Reconciliation, Tolerance and Human Security in the Balkans, at Milocer in Montenegro

Meeting with the teaching staff of the Indonesian School in Belgrade

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Photo News

Reception on the ocassion of National Day of Austria

Reception on the ocassion of National Day of Turkey

Farewell dinner hosted by Ambassador of Argentina, H.E. Mr. Mario Ezcurra and Madame

Reception on the ocassion of National Day of Czech Republic

Reception on the ocassion of National Day of Hungary

Farewell dinner hosted by Mr. Faisal from Malaysian EmbassySunday lunch hosted by the Indonesian Ambassador for all

staff of the Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade

Reception on the ocassion of National Day of Azerbaijan

Ora Beach Resort, North Seram, Maluku

wonderful

Indonesia