Indonesia-Africa relationship<\/p>\n
Be ready for a shock: Indonesia, despite its geographical
\ndistance, has been known in Africa for ages. The island of
\nMadagascar in Southern Africa was populated by immigrants from
\nvarious parts of the Indonesia archipelago. Their migration was
\ncontinuous until 1511. Today many Madagascans are children of
\nmixed couples, Africans and immigrants from Indonesia.<\/p>\n
South Africa alone has about a million men and women of Malay
\nextraction, who were enslaved by the Dutch colonial
\nadministration in Indonesia which maintained close ties with the
\nSouth African colonial administration.<\/p>\n
In 1955, Indonesia hosted the historic Asia-Africa Conference
\nin Bandung, attended by a number of African leaders including the
\npopular African nationalist Sir Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana. At the
\nmoment most Arab countries of North Africa are represented here
\nin Jakarta. Nigeria was the first sub-saharan African nation to
\nestablish an embassy in Jakarta in the early 1980s.<\/p>\n
More African nations are becoming interested in Indonesia.
\nJust within the last four months no less than three African
\ncountries established diplomatic relations with Jakarta. The
\nIndonesian-African trade relationship is interdependent. Each
\nside needs the other. In May 1996, this was demonstrated by an
\nagreement-signing ceremony at the state palace between the
\nIndonesian delegation led by President Soeharto, and the
\nBurkinabe delegation led by President Blaise. Indonesia needs
\ncotton for its textile industry, and Burkina Faso needs
\nIndonesian aircraft.<\/p>\n
In the island of Madagascar there is an Indonesian language
\ncenter, and there are a number of African students (mainly
\nUgandans) at Gajah Mada university in Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
Economically speaking, much could be done to improve matters.
\nIndonesian businessmen do not know where to obtain Africa
\nbusiness information. The situation is no different in African
\ncountries where businessmen know only little about business
\npotentials of Indonesia. This is why a good opportunity exists
\nfor Indonesian businessmen to establish \"an African business
\ninformation center\" to sell information and other services to
\nbusiness tycoons.<\/p>\n
BUHARI ABDU<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-africa-relationship-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }