JP/18/CHILE

JP/18/CHILE

Bali, a major gateway for Chilean tourists, businesses

Rita A. Widiadana
The Jakarta Post/Sanur

Only weeks before the Oct. 1, 2005 bombing tragedy in Kuta and
Jimbaran, the Chilean government opened its honorary consulate
office here in Bali. A sense of optimism still filled the
atmosphere.

On a relaxed Saturday morning in a Sanur villa office, Chile's
Ambassador to Indonesia James Sinclair Manley and Honorary Consul
of Chile in Bali Bernard Haymos talked to The Jakarta Post in
connection with the opening of the consulate office, which
coincided with the 40th anniversary of Indonesian-Chilean
diplomatic relations.

"We chose Bali because the island has been a very attractive
tourist destination," the ambassador said while sipping coffee.

Dressed in a colorful beach shirt, the envoy looked casual.
"When we talk about Indonesia in Chile, Bali has always been the
central picture for many people in my country," he said.

"I first came here in l997 for a brief visit and I was so
impressed by the island's beauty and culture," he recalled.

Once a faraway tropical island located thousands of miles away
from Chile, Bali is beginning to attract a lot more Chilean
tourists and businesses especially after the country's airline
Lan Chile opened a direct flight from Santiago-Auckland (New
Zealand)-Sydney (Australia).

"Before (we opened the new route), we had to fly almost 70
hours from Santiago to any Asian country. Before we arrived here,
we would be lost somewhere in any European country," Sinclair
quipped.

The new route has enabled Chileans to travel to Bali and other
parts of Indonesia through Sydney on a 21-hour flight. The
distance between Bali and Santiago has become shorter now," he
added.

The Chilean government through Lan Chile, he said, is
considering examining the terms of a prorate agreement with
Garuda Indonesia in order to expand its routes and to increase
tourist numbers to both countries.

"We are going to have a political consultation in Santiago in
the near future about this agreement," Sinclair said.

Under such an agreement, Lan Chile will cooperate with Garuda
Indonesia to transport passengers from Chile and other Latin
American countries from Sydney to other destinations in Indonesia
including Bali, Jakarta and Surabaya.

For Bali, which desperately needs to the boost the tourist
industry following the recent bomb attacks, the hike in fuel
prices and the current economic conditions, penetrating new
markets including Latin America, Russia and Northern Europe is
imperative.

"Chile could become an open door for Bali/Indonesia to reach
other major Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil
and Peru and vice versa," said Sinclair.

Visa free

What's more important, he said, both Indonesia and Chile have
signed a visa-free agreement meaning that Indonesians and
Chileans traveling to both countries need not apply for a visa
for a 60-day visit. Businessmen are required to obtain a business
visa.

"So, as we have tourists coming here, businessmen coming to
Bali; we are trying to build a bridge to connect Chile and
Indonesia by opening the honorary consulate office here," the
envoy added.

Chile is interested in importing handicrafts, furniture and
wooden products from Bali.

Currently, the country is planning to import natural gas from
Indonesia.

"This is a new opportunity for Balinese handicraft and
furniture producers to expand their market to Chile and other
Latin American countries," Haymos said.

A number of local producers have been visiting the country for
promotional efforts.

During the second Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Ocean Related Ministerial meeting here in Nusa Dua last
September, the Indonesian and Chilean governments represented by
Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Freddy
Numbery and Chilean Undersecretary of Fisheries Hector Felipe
Sandoval signed an agreement to develop the seaweed industry in
Indonesia.

"Indonesia has huge potential. We have 1.11 million hectares
of land (coastal area) for the development of seaweed, yet our
production is still very low at only 3.9 million kilograms,"
Minister Numbery said.

Chile has been successful in developing seaweed and other
marine products including fresh seafood and fish food. Chile and
Peru are the major exporters of fish food to Indonesia. The
country also exports wine.

Indonesia and Chile have to explore more opportunities in the
fields of trade, commerce and industry, including tourism," added
Haymos.

Haymos, who has been living in Bali for more than 17 years,
explained that businessmen from Chile and other Latin American
countries are looking forward to closely co-operating with local
businesses.

The consulate office, he said, would provide all the
information needed. "We also want to enhance cultural cooperation
between the two countries," he said.

For more information, please contact: Embassy of Chile, Bina
Mulia Bldg, 7th Floor, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav X, phone 62-21
2525021/1982, fax 62-21 5201955, e-mail: emchijak@indosat.net.id,
Honorary Consulate of Chile in Bali, Jl. Pengembak Gg. 1 No.3,
Sanur 80827, phone ; 62-361 281503; fax: 62-361 285216
e-mail: chilehonconsulate@bali-villa.com.