Wonderful Indonesia Festival launched in Tawau
TAWAU: The Wonderful Indonesia Festival 2018 organised by the Indonesian Consulate was held at the Eastern Plaza in Tawau from September 7 to 9.
The event was organised to promote Indonesian smallscale entrepreneurs and tourism products in Northern and Eastern Kalimantan.
Through this event, it is expected that participating small businesses will get partners from Malaysia to collaborate in developing their products. In addition, this event should strengthen the social and cultural relations of the two countries.
At the Wonderful Indonesia Festival 2018, there were more than 25 small entrepreneurs showcasing their products, which included handicrafts, processed foods, spices, clothing and various other Indonesian products.
At this event, not only were Indonesian products on display but also several other events which included dancing and singing competitions, talk show, business meeting, fashion show by a Nunukan designer and entertainment by Indonesia artiste, Duo Biduan.
The festival was officiated on September 8 by Tawau Municipal Council (TMC) secretary Joseph Pang, and the Indonesian Consul in Tawau, Sulistijo Djati Ismojo.
A talk show was also held on September 8 with speakers from Tawau Customs Department, Nunukan Chamber of Commerce, Investment Board of Nunukan, and Sebatik Integrated Fisheries and Marine Centre.
Sulistijo said Indonesia will use various collaborative platforms in efforts to improve the economy of that country’s populace, especially in the border region between Malaysia and Indonesia.
He said the platforms included the Malaysia-Indonesia Socio-Economic Working Committee (Sosek Malindo), Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and Border Trade Agreement.
“Hence the Indonesia Republic Consulate (KRI) in Tawau actively supported the proposal by holding the Wonderful Indonesia Programme in Tawau.
“Through the programme, Tawau KRI helped in bringing 28 small and medium sized enterprises from Tarakan and Nunukan, Indonesia to Tawau to showcase and promote Indonesian food products and handicraft,” he said.
Sulistijo also said Malaysia was Indonesia’s trading partner with trade volume worth USD17.2 million and investments worth USD1.2 million last year.
Meanwhile Tawau Municipal Council president Alijus Sipil said Wonderful Indonesia was a positive festival towards enhancing bilateral ties between Malaysia and Indonesia.
“This programme is able to bridge aspects of trade and tourism besides creating good investment opportunities between the two countries,” he said in his text of speech read by Joseph.