Jakarta, Nov 24, 2021 (Antara) The Indonesia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has whetted the curiosity of
thousands of visitors about the Southeast Asian country, prompting them
to learn more about the archipelago, including its culture, arts,
culinary products, and investment opportunities.
The Trade Ministry has set a target of attracting at least 10 percent of
visitors at the international expo, which is being held in the United
Arab Emirates (UAE), and is hoping to receive around 25 million people
from October 1, 2021 until March 31, 2022.
The Indonesia Pavilion is among the most popular at the international
exhibition, with the number of visitors to the pavilion reaching the 200
thousand-mark on November 2, 2021, according to Trade Minister Muhammad
Lutfi.
Children, in particular, are coming to the pavilion to see exotic animal
species such as the komodo dragons and rhinoceros projected on the
screen at the pavilion's Today Zone, Lutfi noted.
Children are also keen to see Indonesian kids dressed in traditional
attire and reciting an oath to protect the Earth in several languages,
such as Arabic, Indonesian, English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian,
German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, and Korean, he said.
"Visitors to the Indonesia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai are offered to
catch a glimpse of Indonesia by experiencing and witnessing its
civilization, development, and opportunities. This is important, as we
are aiming to showcase Indonesia's important role in global development
in the past, present, and the future," Lutfi remarked at the pavilion on
November 3, a day prior to the inauguration of the Indonesia National
Day by President Joko Widodo in Dubai.
The Indonesia National Day celebration, themed 'Land of Diversity', was held to promote the country's rich culture, nature, and cuisine to the world.
The event featured cultural and arts performances supported by technology to briefly promote the country to the world.
In a short video that was played during the National Day ceremony,
President Widodo said Indonesia has immense natural beauty, as seen in
Likupang in North Sulawesi, Lake Toba in South Sumatra, Labuan Bajo in
East Nusa Tenggara, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, and the Borobudur
Temple in Central Java.
Meanwhile, the Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow zones at the Indonesia
Pavilion portray Indonesia's role in global development, he added.
Indonesia has played a role in global trade since the past as the
country is one of the world’s main producers of exotic spices, such as
nutmeg and cloves, he noted.
Related news: Indonesian marine products displayed at 2020 Dubai Expo
Nutmeg has been important in global development, he said. Without
nutmeg, no expeditions would be successful as nutmeg is used to preserve
foods for long journeys, he pointed out. Hence, colonial countries such
as Britain, the Netherlands, and Portugal were drawn to Indonesia’s
islands to hunt for spices in the past, he added.
The Indonesia Pavilion is showcasing the country's openness to business
and investment, its rich culture and arts, as well as natural resources,
the President said.
On Indonesia National Day, the nation showcased its culture, natural
diversity, and business opportunities through a spectacular performance
using sophisticated technology at Al-Wasl Plaza.
Besides, the Indonesia National Day also displayed the country’s
excellence in telecommunication technology that has been crucial in
supporting the government’s program for providing better connectivity to
Indonesian people living in thousands of islands.
In addition, Indonesia also expressed its readiness to collaborate with other countries during the Indonesia National Day event.
"We gave a message to the world that Indonesia is truly a country that
is ready to collaborate with any country, especially for human
resources," Didi Sumedi, Commissioner General of the Indonesian Pavilion
at the expo, said.
The potential of Indonesia's human resources can be seen in various
fields, including innovation, industry, and technology, he added.
Indonesia's culinary products are one of the highlights of the Indonesia
Pavilion, according to Sumedi, who is also the director general of
export development at the Ministry of Trade.
The culinary delicacies offered at the Indonesia Pavilion's cafeteria
are aimed at helping promote Indonesian tourism to international
tourists, he remarked.
The cafeteria's nasi padang has emerged as the most popular dish not
only among visitors but also delegates from other countries at the
pavilion, he noted.
Nasi padang is served with rendang, which is considered one of the most
delicious dishes in the world, and other side dishes, such as roasted or
fried chicken, perkedel (fried mashed potato), and boiled vegetables,
he said.
Related news: Indonesia invites foreign investment to SEZs at Dubai Expo
Apart from rendang, mi goreng (fried noodles) is also a favorite among
visitors, he revealed. The pavilion also serves nasi goreng (fried
rice), soto betawi soup, bakso (meatballs and noodle soup), sate ayam
(chicken satay), and sweet martabak, he said.
The Indonesian specialty dishes are offered by the Bandung Restaurant in
the cafeteria, he added. The restaurant was established in Abu Dhabi in
2001, he said.
Apart from food, visitors can also opt for Luwak coffee to weather the
heat in Dubai, he said. Many have been seen recommending the coffee to
their friends and families, he added.
One visitor, Tirtsa from Russia, said that she especially liked nasi padang with rendang.
“The rendang was very delicious. First time I tried here, and I have
already had it six times with my friends and family. I even always
recommend Luwak coffee as well to anyone I meet at the expo,” she
stated.
It is hoped that Indonesia's participation at the expo will provide
opportunities to revive Indonesia's tourism, which has been battered by
the COVID-19 pandemic, according to State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)
Minister Erick Thohir.
"Indonesia's presence here serves as a medium of marketing to make the
country more well-known. With this, it will certainly allow our tourism
to revive," he noted.
Besides, Expo 2020 Dubai also presents an opportunity to attract
investment from various countries to Indonesia that could potentially
expedite the nation's economic recovery and create more jobs, he added.
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