ISA promotes RI-Swedish ties
ISA promotes RI-Swedish ties
At first glance, it would difficult to find two cultures further apart than those of Indonesia and Sweden. Most Swedes like to say what's on their mind, while Indonesians prefer to avoid such a direct approach. Most Swedes find that everything in Indonesia takes time, while most Indonesians accept such a system that, although slow, is successful.
Such comparisons are very simple, and one cannot conclude that the two countries have nothing in common. Like Sweden, Indonesia considers itself a fully fledged member of the international community. Strong in the wider international field, yet aligned with one "super power" or another. Strong in the respective regional community, yet never forcing ideas on others.
Last year, the Indonesian-Swedish Association (ISA) celebrated its 10th anniversary. On August 19, 1987, ISA was formed by a group of Indonesians who had obtained university degrees or worked with Swedish companies in Sweden and Swedes residing in Indonesia to promote and strengthen relations in the widest sense between the two countries in many fields, for the benefit of both. What ISA was looking for was individual characteristics that would provide it with insights of Indonesia and Sweden.
ISA's plans include having strong cooperation with the Swedish-Indonesian Society (SIS) and the Swedish-Indonesian Society of Trade and Commerce (SISTC) in Sweden, creating good relations between Indonesia and Sweden.
The areas being promoted are: business and technology, culture, nature and geography, travel and tourism, education and sport.
For business and technology, ISA will arrange visits to Swedish and Indonesian companies both in Indonesia and Sweden. It will also arrange business contacts for Indonesian companies offering their products to Sweden or looking for Swedish partners.
ISA will arrange contacts in cooperation with the Swedish Embassy in Jakarta and the Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm. ISA will, among others, provide information to Swedish people seeking information regarding Indonesian government regulations on foreign investment.
ISA can be contacted through its Secretariat, c/o PT Tira Austenite at telephone number 4602594 and fax number 4602593.