Indonesian-Dutch bilateral ties strengthen<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Netherlands Ambassador to Indonesia says
\nbilateral relations between the Netherlands and Indonesia have
\nstrengthened significantly over the last year.<\/p>\n
Paul R. Brower said the bilateral relationship had flourished
\nsince the successful state visit of H.M. Queen Beatrix in August
\n1995.<\/p>\n
The visit was instrumental in stimulating a number of fields
\nto expand, particularly direct investment and joint ventures, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"In fact, direct investment between Indonesia increased from
\nUS$360 billion in 1995 to $1.2 billion in the first six months of
\n1996.\"<\/p>\n
The Queen's visit was paralleled by an economic mission, led
\nby the Minister for Economic Affairs, H.E.H. Wijers.<\/p>\n
The delegation, with 64 companies, is the largest yet to visit
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
\"Many of the new initiatives to come out of the state visit
\nare in the fields of education and human resources development,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Dutch businesses made available an 18-month study-traineeship
\nprogram after the visit. The program, which is supported by the
\nMinistry for Economic Affairs, links Indonesian students, mostly
\npostgraduate, into an internship in a Dutch company.<\/p>\n
This in turn is linked directly to study at a university or
\ninstitute of vocational education, he said.<\/p>\n
It is a two-way program.<\/p>\n
Indonesian students and employees will be able to study and
\ntrain in the Netherlands as will Dutch students in Indonesia.
\nMore Dutch students should study in Indonesia, he said.<\/p>\n
Direct cooperation between institutions are encouraged and are
\nworking well, \"I am confident this will continue to grow,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Universities in Indonesia and the Netherlands have had a
\ntraditional long-term relationship. There are many Indonesian
\nstudents studying in the Netherlands but as yet there are few
\nDutch students studying in Indonesia,\" he said.<\/p>\n
New initiatives in technology, energy, medical and
\nenvironmental technology, transport, infrastructure, sustainable
\nforestry, agriculture and the development of small and medium
\nenterprises are also being forged.<\/p>\n
INDON ESTC recently launched a technological cooperation
\nprogram to intensify industrial and scientific cooperation
\nbetween firms in the Netherlands and Indonesia.<\/p>\n
It brings together industrial enterprises, research
\norganizations and government institutions, he said.<\/p>\n
This was marked last Tuesday and Wednesday by a Brokerage
\nConference in Jakarta where 140 business delegates, officials
\nfrom the ministries of foreign affairs, energy and education
\ngathered to participate in the business matchmaking exercise.<\/p>\n
Legal cooperation was established between the ministries of
\njustice, also after the state visit, with the signing of a
\nmemorandum of understanding.<\/p>\n
One of the outcomes of this cooperation will be the founding
\nof a library with legal reference books and documentation at
\nErasmus Huis this year, he said.<\/p>\n
The cultural center, Erasmus Huis, plays a big part in the
\nstrengthening of ties, he said.<\/p>\n
Most ties are made in shared information, both culturally and
\nin other ways.<\/p>\n
\"The intense round of cultural activities at Erasmus Huis is
\ndesigned to increase our mutual understanding,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia and the Netherlands have a long shared history,
\nthere is a lot of shared knowledge between them. And they know a
\nlot about each other. This is a good platform for their current
\nrelationship,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Another very positive outcome of the state visit was the
\nagreement between the ministers of foreign affairs to an annual
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
The first one since the state visit was in the Netherlands
\nlast year, \"I hope the one later this year will be in Jakarta,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-dutch-bilateral-ties-strengthen-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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