Archive for May 14th, 2007
The Foreign Ministry intends to play a greater role in promoting trade, tourism and investment on the international stage by holding a series of investor forums to showcase the untapped potential of Indonesia’s regions.
“Through these forums, we are hoping to use our diplomacy to promote mutually beneficial economic transactions,” Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said Thursday during the launch of the first “Update from the Regions” forum.
“This forum will also promote interaction between the diplomatic community, businesspeople and local administrations,” he said.
The launch of the forum was attended by ambassadors from some 30 countries, mainly from the Middle East, Europe and Africa, as well as representatives of national and international business associations.
Riau province, located near Singapore, has been chosen as the first province to be featured by the forums, which are to be held regularly.
Riau, which produces oil, gas, crude palm oil, and pulp and paper, has become a major destination for foreign and domestic investors.
According to data from the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), foreign investment in Riau amounted to about US$1.8 billion last year, the second biggest amount among the country’s 33 provinces. Meanwhile, domestic investment in the province reached Rp 20.8 trillion (about $2.3 billion), the third biggest.
Riau Governor Rusli Zainal said that his administration had taken steps to create a more favorable climate for investment, including the setting up of a coordinating team to handle all bureaucratic problems.
The team, which comprised representatives of the provincial administration, the police, and immigration, customs and tax services, would work together to ensure that the province would become widely known as a good place to do business.
“We have also established a program called ‘Riau Vision 2020′, which focuses on poverty eradication, human resources development and infrastructure improvements, so as to support economic growth in our province,” he said.
He added that his administration planned to organize an investment summit in the provincial capital, Pekanbaru, in September to provide more detailed information on investment opportunities in the province.
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
May 14th, 2007
By Mohd Nasir Yusoff
Malaysian superbikers on a tour of Indonesia left today for Bandung and Yogyakarta after a rousing welcome and dinner last night hosted by Jakarta governor Sutiyoso at the National Monument Square.
The arrival of the 50 superbikers who were joined by singer Ramli Sarip at the Malaysian embassy in Jalan Rasuna Said here was covered by popular television station JakTV.
The superbikers led by Deputy Information Minister Datuk Zahid Hamidi are on a 15-day tour of Indonesia to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2007.
Accompanied by 20 superbikers from Indonesia, the tour that began on May 1 took them from Medan in North Sumatra down to Java and will end in Denpasar, Bali.
The oldest superbiker in the group, Mohamad Ismail Ali, 65, from Melaka, said he was proud to be part of the tour and was raring to complete the next 1,000km to Bali.
The father of nine children who rides a BMW GS1100 superbike said the group which completed the 2,600km trip from Medan to Lampung in Sumatra had the opportunity to meet ordinary Indonesians who were amazed by the development in Malaysia and impressed with its tourism promotion campaign.
Ismail who goes by the nickname “Popeye” said the Indonesians flooded them with queries on life in Malaysia, especially the price of daily essentials like rice, bread and petrol.
Fellow superbiker Mohamed Matt Ibrahim said they were fortunate to be given warm welcome by governors, mayors, district officers and the general population.
He said many of the Indonesians they met were interested in visiting Malaysia and wanted to know many things including transportation, education and Malaysian artistes.
– BERNAMA
May 14th, 2007
From Sharullizan Rusli
Malaysian and Indonesian airlines have been urged to increase flights and to more destinations in both countries to enhance tourism.
Deputy Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is leading a superbikers’ tour of Indonesia said this was necessary as many Indonesians complained of limited flights to Malaysia.
“Indonesians want better access to Malaysia. Currently there are only 11 weekly flights from Medan to Kuala Lumpur and three weekly flights from Padang. Many just cannot get seats to visit Malaysia,” he said at a dinner given by Jakarta governor Sutiyoso last night.
Zahid said the number of Malaysians visiting Indonesia was small compared with Indonesians coming to Malaysia.
“Despite the small number, Malaysians are big spenders in Indonesia. The amount spent by Malaysians are more than that spent by Indonesians visiting Malaysia,” he added.
In his speech, Sutiyoso urged the people of both countries to visit neighbouring countries rather than wasting money travelling to western countries.
“They are many interesting places to visit in Malaysia and Indonesia,” he added.
The convoy of 50 superbikers to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2007 left Medan in North Sumatra on May 1 and will end their journey in Denpasar, Bali on May 15.
– BERNAMA
May 14th, 2007