Indonesia a second home to me: Outgoing Tunisian envoy

Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Many people in Indonesia may not knowing exactly where Tunisia is, but everybody knows Tunisian dates -- which are delicious and a must during Ramadhan.

"We export our dates to Indonesia and other Asian countries. Indonesia, the country with the world's largest Muslim population, is one of our biggest date markets in the world. Our top exporters visit Indonesia twice a year and supply dates to Indonesian traders," Tunisia's Ambassador to Indonesia Mohamed Mouldi Kefi told The Jakarta Post in an interview at his residence in South Jakarta.

As Tunisian date producers make preparations to export to Indonesia for this year's Ramadhan, ironically Ambassador Kefi is leaving Indonesia, a country he says he has fallen in love with, on Tuesday after the completion of his assignment.

Ramadhan begins in the first week of October.

Tunisia, the so-called Singapore of the African continent, has a dynamic economy which has been growing by around 5 percent for more than 15 years. Around 98 percent of its population are Muslims.

"Ours is a Muslim state, which bans polygamy and Islamic political parties. Ours is a tolerant, open and modern society," Kefi said.

In order to promote gender equality, the Tunisian government affords rights to women that are unmatched in any other Arab state.

Kefi, who arrived in Indonesia in November 2002 and submitted his credentials to then president Megawati Soekarnoputri on Jan. 16, 2003, has some big praise for Indonesia.

"Ever since I arrived here, and to this day, I never felt that I was living in a foreign country. I almost feel at home. The Indonesian people are so kind. I always remember their kindness and smiles," said Kefi, an adept career diplomat who has 38 years experience in various countries.

Indonesia and Tunisia, a North African as well as Maghreb state with 10 million people, have so many similarities in many aspects. Both are countries of great cultural diversity and melting pots for different civilizations and cultures.

"I think both Indonesia and Tunisia can be labeled as places where living is enjoyable. I enjoyed my stay in this beautiful country during this short period," said Kefi, who has a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Strasbourg, France.

Kefi has also advice for his foreign colleagues in Indonesia.

"If you like Indonesia and its people, please don't stay too long. The longer you stay, the harder it will be for you to leave your beloved Indonesian brothers and sisters behind. Thank God! I must be thankful to Allah for giving me a chance to live in Indonesia during the final days of my career," Kefi, who will turn 60 next February, said.

As far as Tunisia's relations with Indonesia are concerned, Kefi described them as warm and cordial.

"Our relations with Indonesia are growing strongly and steadily. During our independence struggle, Indonesia was a staunch supporter of our cause. Indonesia was one of the few countries that immediately recognized Tunisia when we became independent in 1956 from the French," said Kefi, who is married to Dagmar Kefi from the Czech Republic.

Both countries have "excellent" cooperation at the political level.

"Indonesia's first president Sukarno visited Tunisia, and Soeharto also did so in 1992. Megawati came to Tunis in 2003. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono accompanied Megawati to Tunisia in his capacity as the coordinating minister and met our President Ben Ali (President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali). Our Prime Minister Mohamed Ghaunouchi participated in the Asian-African Summit in Jakarta in April 2005. All these visits reflect our strong political relations," said Kefi, who has been conferred with Tunisia's Knight of the Order title for his services for the country., said.

Despite the strong political relations, Kefi said Tunisia needed to boost its ties with Indonesia in the trade, tourism, culture and education sectors.

"Because, our two-way trade is just US$70 million. There is big room for improvement given both countries' potentials," Kefi said, while mentioning a memorandum of understanding between Batam and similar free trade zones in Tunisia.

Tunisia is a gateway to Northern African countries and the European Union (EU).

"Indonesian investors can establish businesses in our free trade zones and reexport their goods to the EU countries tax free. This is possible because Tunisia signed an Association Agreement with the EU in 1995," Kefi said.

Kefi, who loves classical music, walking, swimming and playing chess, began his career in 1965, not as a diplomat but as a teacher.

"After working as a teacher for two years, I came to the conclusion that it was not my calling. I wanted to see the world. That's why I began learning the English and German languages and joined the foreign service in 1967," said Kefi, who speaks Arabic, French, English, Czech, German, Russian and some Indonesian, while alluding to the saying that if you wish to reach the highest, begin at the lowest.

Kefi, who has four sons and two granddaughters, did the same thing.

"I joined in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an attache, the lowest rank in the ministry. Later, I became a second secretary, first secretary, counselor and finally ambassador," Kefi said.

His first foreign posting was Prague in 1971. He also worked in Germany, Russia and Britain in various capacities. In 1990, he became Tunisia's ambassador to Nigeria and to the Russian Federation in 1996.

"This (posting in Indonesia) is my third ambassadorial posting. I will be going back to Tunis with unforgettable memories of Indonesia," said Kefi, a diplomat as ever.