Let’s use batik as diplomatic tool: SBY

28 , 2011 | Source: The Jakarta Post

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said batik served as a “diplomatic tool” as he officiated on Wednesday the World Batik Summit 2011 in Jakarta, which will run until Oct. 2.

“We use batik as a tool for diplomacy and friendship with the international community,” the President said in his opening speech.

He didn’t elaborate exactly how batik could be used as a diplomatic tool, but said it had been enabled through UNESCO’s naming of batik as an intangible element of world cultural heritage.

Yudhoyono said Indonesians should be proud of UNESCO’s acknowledgement of batik, and should promote batik as an Indonesian product.

“I love batik. I like batik. I like wearing it and I often wear batik,” Yudhoyono said as quoted by Antara state news wire.

He also said batik had helped improve the local economy, adding that batik sales in Indonesia had reached Rp 3.9 trillion (US$436.8 million) in 2010, an increase from Rp 2.5 trillion in 2006.

The value of batik exports, meanwhile, increased from $14.3 million in 2006 to $22.3 million in 2010.

“I see opportunities to further boost these figures,” the President said.

The World Batik Summit 2011 is themed “Indonesia: Global Home of Batik” and is scheduled to host conferences and an exhibition.

 

The Indonesian government has ensured that people in the age group of over 18 years will receive the COVID-19 vaccine to expand vaccination coverage to 70 percent across Indonesia.
The Indonesian government plans to issue savings sukuk (Islamic bonds), series ST007, to expand the base of retail investors in the domestic financial market and finance green projects in the state budget (APBN).
President Joko Widodo recently signed a regulation specifying the procurement and immunization schedule for the COVID-19 vaccine for Indonesia, which has been battling the deadly disease since March 2 this year.
President Joko Widodo on Wednesday said the coronavirus pandemic has reminded the nation and the state of the importance of science and technology.
Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi offered her condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims of the explosion that rocked Beirut in Lebanon on Tuesday evening.
Indonesia is working with South Korea to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus disease, in addition to collaborating with China.
Address: 1068 Budapest, Városligeti fasor 26. | MAP |
Phone: (+36-1) 413 3800 Fax: (+36-1) 322 8669
E-mail: embassy@indonesianembassy.hu