Farewell, Indonesia<\/p>\n
Time really flies. It seems only yesterday I first touched the
\nrich soil of Indonesia, on March 6, 1991. Now I have to bid
\nfarewell to this lovely country after having served more than
\nfive years as my country's information Director with the Taipei
\nEconomic and Trade Office, which represents the ROC's interests
\nin Indonesia in the absence of diplomatic relations.<\/p>\n
To enhance ties between the two countries through better
\nunderstanding is part and parcel of my job. I am very glad to
\nwitness the tremendous progress that has been made in the past
\nfive years between Indonesia and Taiwan in terms of investment,
\ntrade and tourism, to name only a few.<\/p>\n
Until the end of 1990, Taiwanese investment in Indonesia stood
\nat only US$1.87 billion. As of June 30, 1996, that investment had
\nreached $9.09 billion, an increase of 500 percent in five and a
\nhalf years. Two-way trade between the two countries in 1990
\namounted to $2.16 billion. It had increased to $4.2 billion in
\n1995, doubling in size, with Indonesia enjoying a surplus. In
\n1990, Indonesia received about 125,000 Taiwanese visitors. In
\n1995, more than 800,000 of us visited Indonesia, an increase of
\nalmost 650 percent. Judging from the vitality shown by both
\ncountries, I believe that all these numbers will reach another
\npeak by the year 2000.<\/p>\n
One more thing worth mentioning is the entrepreneurship
\ntraining program provided by Taiwan for Indonesian youths. The
\nprogram is sponsored by Taipei's International Economic and
\nDevelopment Fund with assistance from related Indonesian
\norganizations. Currently more than 400 Indonesian youths are on
\nthe program in Taiwanese manufacturing industries. Besides
\nlearning basic skill on production lines, workshops in areas such
\nas business management and marketing are also provided, so that
\nwhen they come back to Indonesia they are already equipped with
\nthe knowledge needed to start their own enterprises. I hope these
\nIndonesian youths become the seeds for Indonesia's steady
\neconomic development in the years to come.<\/p>\n
Much as I and my wife want to stay in this beautiful country,
\nwe have to leave very soon. More than any other foreign
\nassignment, Indonesia has become a part of us. The fantastic
\nmemory of Indonesia will surely haunt us in the many years to
\ncome.<\/p>\n
Thank you again for your friendship. Farewell, Indonesia.
\nThere will not be a day for the rest of my life I will not think
\nof you -- and wish you well.<\/p>\n
DAVID Y.S. TZOU<\/p>\n
Outgoing Director,<\/p>\n
Information Division,<\/p>\n
Taipei Economic and Trade Office<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/farewell-indonesia-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }