Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia – 129 Jarvis Street Toronto, ON M5C 2H6, CANADA – Phone: (416) 360-4020, Fax: (416) 360-4295

First Edition (March 1 – 15, 2012)

ECONOMIC Indonesia's Economy Grows 6.5 Percent in The First Quarter Jakarta - Indonesia's domestic economic activities are still performing well in the midst of slow world economic growth, according to Bank Indonesia. "The economy is estimated to grow 6.5 percent in the first quarter of 2012 and will continue growing in the second quarter although it would be slower," the central bank spokesman, Difi A Johansyah, said quoting the conclusion of the bank's board of governors' meeting here on Thursday. He added that domestic demand remained strong, especially household consumption and investment, while export growth is expected to be lower in line with the global economic slowdown and the drop in the price of non-energy global commodities. The economic development in the first and second quarter still matches the economic growth projections between 6.3 and 6.7 percent for the whole of 2012. The weighted risks show a downward trajectory due to the impact of the global economy and the government's planned energy policy. Efforts to stimulate the economy need to be taken, especially in the fiscal policy area, and not just in the monetary and banking sectors, Difi said. Meanwhile, the balance of payment in the first quarter is estimated to record a smaller surplus consistent with the current account deficit in the first quarter of 2012, which is predicted to be bigger due to a decline in exports and high imports as a result of strong domestic economic activities and fuel oil consumption. The surplus in capital and financial transactions is down due to a smaller inflow of portfolio investment. The country's foreign exchange reserves until the end of February 2012 were recorded at US$112.2 billion, which is equal for imports for 6.3 months and the government's foreign debt payment. The rupiah exchange rate meanwhile has relatively remained stable despite little pressure. In February, the currency weakened point-to-point by 0.33 percent to Rp9,020 against the US dollar but averagely strengthened 0.69 percent to Rp8,998 per US dollar. Several factors that have added pressure on the rupiah include adjustment in the foreign investor portfolio due to global sentiment and increasing imports following domestic economic activities. To maintain the domestic market balance, Bank Indonesia keeps monitoring the development and takes measures to stabilize the rupiah through foreign exchange markets and state bond secondary markets. Difi said the stability of the banking system was maintained by the improvement of intermediary functions, displayed by the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) that stands far above the minimum level of 8.0 percent and gross non-performing loan (NPL) at below 5.0 percent. Credits grew 23.7 percent year-on-year until the end of January, while investment credits grew 38.1 percent year-on-year and will hopefully increase economic capacity. Meanwhile, he said, working capital and consumer credits grew 20.2 and 20.3 percent respectively, year-on-year. (Source: Antara080312)

Indonesia-India Should Revise Trade target For 2015: Indonesian Trade Minsiter Jakarta - Indonesia and India have agreed to increase their economic cooperation, Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan said in Jakarta on Tuesday. He also suggested that both countries should revise their trade target in 2015 from US$25 billion to US$40 billion. "Judging from both countries` trade potential, the bilateral trade values can be raised," Wiryawan said after opening India`s business exhibition in Bali Kartini, Jakarta. The exhibition, called "The India Show: Land of Limitless Opportunities", is being held from March 6-8. Sixty-seven Indian companies, covering among others mining affairs, railway, energy, steel, infrastructure and banking, are participating in the show. Citing an example of the potential to increase Indonesia-India trade, the Trade Minister said that on the one hand India needed more coal and crude palm oil (CPO) and on the other hand Indonesia imported crude oil as well as electronic products and vehicles made in India. Expressing his pleasure over India`s business exhibit, Wiryawan noted that both countries had engaged in trade ties for many years. Sharing his opinion, the Indian Trade and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma, said that there was immense possibility of growing trade relations between India and Indonesia, owing to the huge populations in the two countries. According to Anand, technology and education are other areas through which bilateral ties can be improved, as India currently has advanced technology and education. "Education and technology will be very influential and become a new power in the future," he said. Meanwhile, India`s Director General of Industry Confederation, Chandrajit Banerjee, has also said that India and Indonesia are growing very rapidly in the Asian region. (Source: Antara060312) Papua's Expectations About Regions Economic Growth Increasing: Survey Jayapura - Papuans' expectations about economic growth in their region are increasing, a survey conducted by the Jayapura branch of Bank Indonesia (BI) showed. The survey done last January and February had aimed to measure the Papuan consumers' confidence and the region's economic conditions index. "The survey conducted in Jayapura city (Papua province's capital) and Manokwari city (West Papua's capital) showed an increase in people's expectations about Papua's economy as a whole," the vice head of BI's Jayapura branch office, Aslan Lubis, said here on Friday. He said the consumers' confidence index in Jayapura in January 2012 was 132.02. The number rose to 137.03 in February. Meanwhile in Manokwari the consumers' confidence index in January was 136.22 which was higher than February's 134.43. However, he argued that the overall index (in Papua province and West Papua province) increased from 134.12 in January to 142.10 in February 2012. On the economic conditions index in Jayapura, Aslan said the number was 129.60 in January 2012 and it rose the following month to 129.80. In Manokwari the index slightly decrease from 123.77 in January to 121.33 in February. However, the overall index increased from 126.68 in January to 134.07 in February. "The consumers' survey also showed that although security threats still exist in Papua and West papua provinces, people are still confident that the government can handle it," he said. He added according to the economic conditions survey, people believed that the present economic situation in both provinces was better than before. (Source: Antara020312)

RI to Cooperate With 7 Countries To Develop SMEs Jakarta - Indonesia will soon team up with seven countries to develop cooperatives, small and medium enterprises in yet another move to enable them to withstand the global economic crisis, a minister said. "We have held bilateral talks with the seven countries and some of them have asked us to cooperate in developing cooperatives, small and medium businesses," Cooperatives, Small and Medium Businesses Minister Sjarifuddin Hasan said here on Wednesday. The seven countries are Malaysia, Iran, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Brunei Darussalam. The talks with representatives of the seven countries have agreed on a plan to cooperate in developing cooperatives, small and medium businesses, he said. "We have agreed to sign a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) on the exchange of experience in developing cooperatives, small and medium businesses to enable them to develop their businesses as well as on other areas of cooperation," he said. The minister said the common agreement was necessary to lay a basis for the establishment of global marketing networks to face the global economic crisis. He said Indonesia is among the few countries that have received special appreciation from International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) President Dame Pauline Green in terms of cooperatives, small and medium businesses development during the 9th Asia-Pacific Ministers` Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, late last month. "We also have been advised to nominate our cooperatives through ICA for inclusion in the Global 300 List," he said. He said many cooperatives in the country are qualified for inclusion in the Global 300 List. According to ICA, more than 100 million people are currently employed at cooperatives worldwide. (Source: Antara080312)

EXPORTS North Sulawesi Earns $134 Million From Fish Exports Last Year Manado, N Sulawesi - North Sulawesi province exported 30,887.63 tons of fish worth US$134.59 million last year. "The five biggest buyers of North Sulawesi`s fish exports in 2011 were Germany, Japan, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Britain," Head of the North Sulawesi Provincial Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office Joy Korah said here on Wednesday. The fish exports were dominated by canned fish, followed by frozen skipjack, fresh loin tuna and frozen loin tuna, he said. Canned fish was the kind of fish mostly sought in the export market, followed by frozen skipjack, fresh loin tuna and frozen loin tuna, he said. The presence of fish canning plants in the province had made canned fish exports the province`s main foreign exchange earner, he said. "Most of the fish canning plants are located in Bitung town. Some of them are jointly operated with foreign companies including those from the Philippines," he said. Over the past few years the fish canning companies sold their shares to Philippine investors. Foreign investment in the fish canning sector has caused canned fish exports to increase

significantly and become the province`s biggest foreign exchange earner in the fishery sector, he said. (Source: Antara010312) RI's Exports Reach US$15.49 Billion in January Jakarta - Indonesia's exports in January 2012 rose by 6.07 per cent to US$15.49 billion from US$14.06 billion in January 2011, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The exports consisted of non-oil/non-gas exports worth US$12.519 billion and oil and gas exports worth US$2.974 billion, BPS Chief Suryamin said here on Thursday. However, the January 2012 exports fell by 9.28 per cent compared to US$17.077 billion in December 2011, he said. "Normally exports at the start of every year (January) are lower than in the previous month (December). Such a downward trend has been seen over the past few years," he said. The January 2012 exports fell from December 2011 due to a 7.9 per cent drop in non-oil/non-gas exports to US$12.519 billion from US$13.597 billion and a shortfall in oil and gas exports to US$2.97 billion from US$3.485 billion, he added. Suryamin also said crude oil exports in January 2012 plummeted by 137.15 per cent to US$883.1 million and gas exports declined by 0.48 per cent to US$1.712 billion, leading to a shortfall in oil and gas exports in that month. However, oil product exports rose by 5.41 per cent to US$375.5 million, he noted. Suryamin said Japan remained the largest market for Indonesia's non-oil/non-gas exports in January 2012 with a total value of US$1.61 billion, followed by China with US$1.36 billion and the United States with US1.2 billion. "The non-oil/non-gas exports to the three countries made up 33.26 per cent of Indonesia's overall non-oil/non-gas exports in January 2012, while non-oil/non-gas exports to Europe reached US$1.6 billion," he added. The agency also noted that Indonesia's imports in January 2012 fell to US$14.57 billion from US$16.48 billion in December 2011. But compared to January 2011, the imports in January 2012 rose by 16.02 per cent to US$12.56 billion. "Oil and gas imports and non-oil/non-gas imports fell to US$ 658.3 million and US$1.247 billion, respectively," Suryamin said. Crude oil imports fell to US$276.5 million and oil products to US$394.8 million, leading to a shortfall in oil and gas imports. However, gas imports rose by US$13 million. (Source: Antara010312) RI's Exports Reach US$15.49 BKN in January Jakarta - Indonesia's exports in January 2012 rose 6.07 percent to US$15.49 billion from US$14.06 billion in January 2011, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The exports consisted of non-oil/non-gas exports worth US$12.519 billion and oil and gas exports worth US$2.974 billion, BPS Chief Suryamin said here on Thursday. However, the January 2012 exports fell 9.28 percent compared to US$17.077 billion in December 2011, he said. "Normally exports at the start of every year (January) are lower than in the previous month (December). Such a downward trend has been seen over the past few years," he said. The January 2012 exports fell from December 2011 due to a 7.9 percent drop in non-oil/non-gas exports to US$12.519 billion from US$13.597 billion and a shortfall in oil and gas exports to US$2.97 billion from US$3.485 billion, he said.

He added that crude oil exports in January 2012 plummeted 137.15 percent to US$883.1 million and gas exports declined 0.48 percent to US$1.712 billion, leading to a shortfall in oil and gas exports in that month. However, oil product exports rose 5.41 percent to US$375.5 million, he said. Japan remained the biggest market for Indonesia's non-oil/non-gas exports in January 2012 with a total value of US$1.61 billion, followed by China, US$1.36 billion and the United States US$1.2 billion, Suryamin said. "The non-oil/non-gas exports to the three countries made up 33.26 percent of Indonesia's overall non-oil/non-gas exports in January 2012, while non-oil/non-gas exports to Europe reached US$1.6 billion," he said. The agency also noted that Indonesia's imports in January 2012 fell to US$14.57 billion from US$16.48 billion in December 2011. But compared to January 2011, the imports in January 2012 rose 16.02 percent to US$12.56 billion. "Oil and gas imports and non-oil/non-gas imports fell US$ 658.3 million and US$1.247 billion respectively," he said. Crude oil imports fell US$276.5 million and oil products US$394.8 million, leading to a shortfall in oil and gas imports. However, gas imports rose US$13 million. (Source: Antara:020312) Bali's Ceramic Exports Up 41.69 Pct Denpasar, (Bali) - Bali`s ceramic exports reached 1.90 million US dollars in 2011, a 41.69 pct increase compared to only 1.34 million US dollars last year. In terms of volume, in 2010 the exports increased 76.97 pct from 520,355 pieces to 920,868 pieces in 2011, head of the Bali government public relations division I Ketut Teneng said in Denpasar on Wednesday. He said ceramic commodities including many kinds of ornaments and designs are very popular and competitive on the foreign market. The foreign exchange earnings from the significantly increasing ceramic exports include different unique and attractive household products. The ceramic commodities whose production is combined with artistic features have a special attraction to foreign consumers, in the hope to increase their foreign exchange earnings. Ceramic products, Ketut Teneng said, have a very strategic role in supporting Bali`s non-oil/gas export earnings. The commodities are of a high economic value among Bali`s 17 kinds of handicraft products which have reached the export market. Similar export commodities in 2010 reached 1.34 million US dollars, which is slightly down compared to last year`s 1.97 million US dollars. The earnings from ceramics in the last five years (2006-2010) had been fluctuating, in 2006 for instance, the products had earned 2.04 million US dollars, which increased to 2.73 million US dollars in 2007. This in 2008 increased to 2.81 million US dollars, but dropped to only 1.97 million US dollars in 2009. The result of Balinese handicraft makers in promoting their quality and improved designs meeting the preferences of foreigners, is expected to increase the shipment of ceramic goods in the coming years. Ceramic handicraft goods have a 0.38 share of Bali`s total non-oil/gas exports of 497.86 million US dollars in 2011, a 4.24 pct decline compared to 519.91 pct a year earlier. (Source: Antara080312)

Foreigner Become RI's "Rendang" Potentials Market: Exporter Jakarta - The Promotion Officer of PT Sarimunik Mandiri, Novita believed that foreigners have become potential market for an Indonesian traditional spicy food "rendang`. "Although most of the consumers are Indonesians who are living abroad, but foreigners are also potential market," Novita said here on Sunday. According to Novita, her company has exported instant spices to Germany, Netherlands, US, Canada, Singapore and Dubai. Novita also said `Rendang` as the bestseller product of PT Sarimunik Mandiri became more popular abroad after being publicized as the world`s most delicious food by CNN Network. However, Novita refused to mention an amount of the instant spices export`s value. (Source: Antara120312)

INVESTMENT Aussie Investor To Develop Integrated Fisheries Project in Nusa Tenggara Barat Mataram - Gerald Knecht, the Autralian president of Atlantic Utara Inc, is to begin developing an integrated catch fishing industry in Dompu district, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), soon. "Within the next 6 days, we will begin work on construction of a fish processing plant in Dompu," Knecht said at a meeting with NTB Governor TGH M Zainul Majdi in Mataram on Monday. Knecht who is also founder of PT Bali Seafood International presented his investment plan to the NTB governor and his staff accompanied by former marine and fisheries minister Rokhmin Dahuri MS. The investment would be made under PT Bali Seafood International flag and be called Lesser Sunda Sustainable Fisheries Program. It would cover the territories of NTB dan East Musatenggara (NTT) provinces. Steps to implement the program would begin in Dompu district and be followed up in East Lombok and other districts/cities in NTB and NTT. The fish catching area would cover the seas up to 12 miles from the coastlines and the fishing boats would be five GT vessels equipped with handlines, longlines or gill nets. The fishing targets would be various fish species including tuna and carp. PT Bali Seafood International would begin to realize its investment plan by building a fish processing plant in Dompu. In NTB the main fish catching and processing activities would take place in Sumbawa island which would serve as a base to supply the international market. The project would ba managed jointly with the local government and people and so would its income or profits, Knecht said. The project`s profits must be split fairly with the local government and people so that it would become a sustainable venture, Knecht said. Therefore, Knecht asked for the NTB govenor`s and district chiefs` support for his investment plan to which the govenor promptly gave a positive response. The govenor on the occasion directly asked the head of NTB`s maine and fisheries office, HM Ali Syhadan to take care of the official pemits or licenses needed by Knecht for his investments. (Source: Antara060312)

Investment Value In Bangka Belitung Surpasses Target Pangkalpinang, Babel Province - The value of investments by both foreign and domestic investors in Bangka-Belitung (Babel) Province in 2011 reached Rp4.02 trillion surpassing the targeted figure of Rp3.5 trillion, an official said. "In 2011, the value of investments in Babel surpassed the targeted figure of Rp3.5 trillion because the domestic and foreign investors' interest in the province has increased after the implementation of the One Door Integrated Service program," Regional Investment Coordinating Board (BKPMD) Chairman Zakaria said, here on Friday. He noted that the fulfillment of investments in 2011 rose from Rp3.8 trillion in 2010 to Rp4.02 trillion, a year later. "Our target in 2012 is for the investment value to rise to Rp4.5 trillion because of the significantly high potential of natural resources from management of plantations, mining, animal husbandry, fisheries, services and others," Zakaria noted. He pointed out that 24 foreign investors and 7 domestic investors were currently investing in Babel Province. He added that the foreign investors in Babel Province are from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, China, Taiwan, England, Saudi Arabia, and Mauritius, among others. "The presence of these investors in Babel has led to the employment of 16,172 workers, and it can speed up the government's program to reduce the number of the unemployed and poor," he noted. (Source: Antara090312) German Investors To Develop Rubber Plantations in Bangka Belitung Province Pangkalpinang, Babel - German investors have expressed interest in developing rubber plantations in Bangka and Bangka Barat districts, Bangka-Belitung (Babel) province, local Investment Coordinating Board Chairman Zakaria said here on Friday. "A delegation from Liechtenstein, Germany, will soon survey the location for rubber plantations in the districts of Bangka and Bangka Barat because of the potential for the commodity to be developed in the province," Zakaria said. He noted that at a recent meeting between a Babel delegation and German investors in Liechtenstein, they expressed their interest in investing in the development of rubber plantations and the rubber processing industry in Babel Province, especially in the Bangka and Bangka Barat districts. "If their plan to invest in these two districts materializes, it will certainly improve the quality of local rubber as well as reduce the number of the unemployed," Zakaria noted. He added that the potential of rubber plantation development and the rubber processing industry was promising as there are a lot of vacant plots that can be turned into productive land. "Rubber products of the farmers in the districts of Bangka, Bangka Barat, Bangka Tengah, Bangka Selatan, Belitung, Belitung Timur, and the city of Pangkalpinang reaches 93,000 tons per year," he said. Zakaria pointed out that the presence of German investors in the rubber plantations and the rubber processing industry would raise the prices of the commodity in the local markets and encourage rubber farmers to work even harder. (Source: Antara090312)

Chinese Investor Mulling to Invest In West Kalimantan's Rubber Plantations Pontianak, W Kalimantan - A Chinese company is mulling to develop rubber plantations in West Kalimantan province at a cost of more than Rp10 trillion, a local investment official said. "They (the Chinese company) have invited the West Kalimantan provincial government and legislative body to visit China to show their seriousness in making investment (in the province)," Head of the West Kalimantan Provincial Investment Coordinating Board (BPMD) Yoseph Alexander said here on Sunday. The Chinese investor planned to develop rubber plantations on 100 thousand hectares of land and a rubber processing plant, he said. He said most of rubber plantations in West Kalimantan had so far been developed on a small scale. A West Kalimantan investment delegation was expected to leave for China in April to meet the invitation, he said. The planned Chinese investment has not been included in the local government`s target of attracting foreign investment totaling Rp6.5 trillion this year, he said. China remains on top of the list of foreign investors in West Kalimantan, followed by South Korea. The West Kalimantan provincial administration has set itself the target of licensing investment proposals to develop 1.2 million hectares of rubber plantations. (Source: Antara120312)

TOURISM Tourists Arrivals in Bali Up 21% in January Denpasar, Bali - A total of 253,286 foreign tourists visited Bali in January 2012, up by 21.14 percent from the same period last year. "Most of the tourists came to Bali via Ngurah Rai Airport by direct flights from their country and only 3,558 of them by cruise liners," Head of the Bali Office of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) Gede Suarsa said on Thursday. Last year about 2.82 million tourists visited the resort island, a 9.72 percent increase compared to 2.57 million in the previous year. Compared to January 2011, the number of Australian tourists visiting Bali in January 2012 increased 8.40 percent from 58,770 to 63.70, Chinese tourists 222.18 percent from 17,102 to 55.099, Taiwanese tourists 20.11 percent from 9,717 to 11,671, and Malaysia 13.53 percent from 10,267 to 11,656, South Korea 1.23 percent from 10,439 to 10.567, Singapore 9.76 percent from 6,893 to 7,566, the US 17.13 percent from 5,791 to 6,783 and Britain 2.73 percent from 6,157 to 6,325. Meanwhile, the number of Japanese tourists fell 23.54 percent from 16,747 12,805 and Russia 6.15 percent from 11,499 to 10.907. (Source: Antara020312) BPS: 652,692 Foreign Tourists Visit RI in January Jakarta - More than 652,692 foreign tourists visited Indonesia this past January, up by 18.93 per cent from 548,821 in the same month in 2011, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). However, the number of tourist arrivals this January fell by 9.92 per cent compared to December 2011, when the figure had reached 675,997, BPS Chief Suryamin said here on Thursday.

The number of tourists visiting Indonesia through the country`s 19 gateways in January this year grew by 20.5 per cent to 619,959 from 516,418 in January 2011, he said. Among the 19 gateways, Sam Ratulangi airport in Manado, North Sulawesi, recorded the highest percentage of tourist arrivals with 74 per cent, followed by Tanjung Pinang with 53.76 per cent, Entikong with 41.11 per cent, and Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali with 19.87 per cent. Compared to January 2011, the number of tourist arrivals this January via Sam Ratulangi increased to 1,872 from 1,050, in Tanjung Pinang to 9,524 from 6,194, in Entikong to 2,324 from 1,746 tourists and at Ngurah Rai Airport to 249,728 tourists from 208,337. "Compared to December 2011, the number of tourist arrivals in Bali increased slightly by 0.56 per cent to 247,337," he said. The agency also noted that the room occupancy rate of star-rated hotels in 20 of the country`s 33 provinces in January this year averaged 51.27 per cent, up by 0.80 points compared to January 2011 when it was 50.47 per cent. However, this January the room occupancy rate dropped by 4.30 points compared to December 2011, the agency said. On average, foreign tourists stayed at star-rated hotels for 2.03 days this January, down by 0.10 days from January 2011. Suryamin said the decline in the number of tourist arrivals this January compared to December 2011 was caused by the seasonal factor, as December is in the peak season. Chinese Tourists Arrivals In Bali Up 222% Denpasar, Bali - More than 55,090 Chinese tourists visited Bali in January 2012, a 222.18 percent increase compared to 17,102 in January 2011. Most of these tourists came to Bali on direct flights from China, while only 30 arrived on cruise ships, Head of the Bali Office of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) Gede Suarsa said here on Saturday. The Chinese tourists made up 21.75 percent of the overall tourist arrivals in Bali in January 2012, which reached 253,286 overall, up by 21.14 percent from 209,093 in January 2011. In 2011 236,867 Chinese tourists visited the resort island, up by 20.28 percent from 196,926 in 2010. China ranked second among the top ten sources of foreign tourist arrivals in Bali last year, after Australia. Japan trailed in third place, followed by Taiwan, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, Singapore, the United States and Britain. Gede Suarsa expressed his hope that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Bali would increase in the future thanks to China`s robust economic growth and direct flights between China and Bali. Data from the local statistics office indicates that the number of tourist arrivals from Australia, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, the United States and Britain in January 2012 increased when compared to January 2011. However, the number of Japanese and Russian tourists was lower than previously. Meanwhile, the number of tourists from Australia rose 8.40 percent from 58,770 to 63,704; Taiwan increased 20.11 percent from 9,717 to 11,671; Malaysia 13.53 percent from 10,267 to 11,656; South Korea was up 1.23 percent from 10,439 to 10,567; Singapore 9.76 percent from 6,893 to 7,566; the United States 17.13 percent from 5,791 to 6,783; and Britain 2.73 percent from 6,157 to 6.325. Meanwhile, the number of Japanese tourists declined 23.54 percent from 16,747 to 12,805 and Russian tourists fell 6.15 percent from 11,499 to 10,907. (Source: Antara040312)

Russia Among Ten Countries With Biggest Number Of Tourists to Bali Denpasar, Bali - Russia has joined the ten countries with the biggest number of tourists to Bali, as the Russians have began making the Island Paradise a save and comfortable place to spend a holiday. "It was only starting in January 2012 that the Russians are holding fifth place following Australia, China, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia", head of the Bali Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) Ir Gede Suarsa MSi said in Denpasar on Wednesday. He said that the number of Russian tourists going on a holiday to Bali in January 2012 had reached 10,907, a 5.15 pct decline compared to the 44,499 in the same month last year. While declining in number, the Russians who enjoyed the uniqueness of cultural art and panorama of the Island Paradise are more than the South Koreans, Singaporians, Americans and the British. For this reason, the Russians are a future potential market of tourism in Bali, and the future image needs to be developed by promotion to that country," Gede Suarsa said. He also said that the visit of Russian tourists to Bali could give a contribution of 4.31 pct of the total of 253,286 tourists to the Island Paradise in January 2012, a 21.14 pct increase compared to only 209,093 in the same month last year. Of the ten countries with the biggest number of tourists to Bali, eight have substantially increased the number of their tourists, and only two had been declining. They eight countries are Australia with 8.40 pct from 58,770 to 63,704, China 222.18 pct from 17,102 to 55,099, and Taiwan 20.11 pct from 9,717 to 11,671. The others are Malaysia 13.53 pct from 10,267 to 11,656, South Korea 1.23 pct from 10,439 to 10,567, Singapore 9.76 pct from 6,893 to 7,566, United States 17.13 pct from 5,791 to 6,783, and the British 2.73 pct from 6,157 to 6,325. Two countries with a drop in the number tourists to Bali are Russia and Japan 23.54 pct from 16,747 in January 2011 to only 12,805 in January 2012, Gede Suarsa said. (Source: Antara080312)

MISCELLANEOUS Garuda Indonesia Named World's Best Airline Jakarta - Indonesia's national airline, Garuda Indonesia, has been recognized as the "Best International Airline for January 2012", according to a recent independent survey of major airlines across the world. "The recognition of Garuda as the Best International Airline is based on a customer satisfaction survey conducted by Australia-based research company Roy Morgan," VP Corporate Communication PT Garuda Indonesia, Pujobroto, said in Jakarta on Wednesday. He noted that Roy Morgan ranked Garuda Indonesia ahead of other leading airline companies such as Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and Air New Zealand, with a monthly satisfaction score of 91 per cent. "A total of 3943 respondents had been surveyed on how satisfied they were with the airline they used between February 2011 and January 2012," Pujobroto said. He pointed out that the Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Award came after a string of accolades, including the four-star rating by Skytrax, the global benchmark for airline service standards in 2009.

Pujobroto said Garuda Indonesia was also named the "World's Most Improved Airline" at the Skytrax World Airline Awards in Hamburg, and "Asia's Leading Service Quality Airline" by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) in 2010. All awards recognize the success of Garuda Indonesia's Qantum Leap program which includes the revitalization of its existing fleet and the introduction of The Garuda Indonesia Experience, the carrier's service concept that offers a uniquely Indonesian level of service on the ground and in-flight. He said Garuda Indonesia would continue to invest in improving its service offerings in order to become a five-star carrier by 2015. Meanwhile, Garuda Indonesia President Director Emirsyah Satar said recently that the company would strengthen its fleet with 154 planes by 2015 as part of its Qantum Leap program. "Through its Qantum Leap program, Garuda Indonesia will increase its fleet from 89 planes at present to 154 in 2015," Emirsyah said while receiving the two new aircraft -- Boeing 737-800NG and an Airbus A330-200 -- at Soekarno-Hatta international airport on February 24, 2012. (Source: Antara070312) ___________________________________________________________________________ Copy Right: PERUM LKBN ANTARA