35 Indonesian Companies Get Partners in Indofest in Ottawa

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As many as 35 companies from Indonesia are trying to attract partners in the Indonesian Festival 2017 held by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia for Canada in Ottawa.

In a press release received by Tempo on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, the event that combines exhibition products, business forums, a fashion show and a culinary bazaar that was held from 25 to 27 August 2017, managed to attract no less than 14,492 visitors.

"It's an extraordinary event," said Mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson.

No less than 180 delegates came directly from Indonesia. West Sumatra Governor, Irwan Prayitno, and Governor of North Sulawesi, Olly Dondokambey, lead their respective provincial delegates.

Bank Indonesia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BKPM, West Java and East Java Provinces, and Humbang Hasundutan Regency (North Sumatra) did not miss their representatives exhibiting their respective products.

"We are trying to maximize Indofest 2017 to further encourage Indonesian exports to Canada and attract Canadian investment and tourists to Indonesia," said Suwartini Wirta, Indonesian Ambassador to Canada.

Indofest is an annual promotional event of the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa which has been held since 2006. Usually, this event is held all day in the grounds of the Indonesian embassy by displaying Indonesian traditional arts and food, and is normally visited by 600-1000 visitors.

However, this year’s Indofest was held in the Aberdeen Pavilion which was built as an exhibition space in 1898. In addition to exhibition facilities, Victoria's 3000 square meter architectural building was once also used as an ice hockey stadium.

It was in the building that Indofest visitors were able to see various export products (furniture, clothing and batik cloth, incense, essential oil, organic sugar, Gorontalo embroideries, instant noodles, children's toys and gloves) and traditional art performances.

The art team of West Sumatra and East Kalimantan (Dayak Kenyah), as well as Indonesian community groups in Ottawa and Montreal alternately performed on the entertainment stage. The visitors also enjoy the shows that presented hijab, batik and embroidery.

"Indonesia is the only country that have hosted an event in the Aberdeen Pavilion, which is 5 times larger than the Horticulture and very historic for the Ottawa business world," Mayor Watson said.

"We appreciate the hard work of the Embassy in preparing for this event. From the dozens of foreign embassy donations, Indofest is the largest during Ottawa Welcomes the World," Watson added.

OWTW is a full-year activity series in Ottawa to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the formation of the Canadian Confederation. No less than 70 embassies participating in OWTW showcased their respective country art in the Horticulture building.

The food bazaar tables invited the crowds. There were chicken satay, padang satay, nasi krawu, chicken noodles, gado gado, rendang and various indonesian traditional cakes.

"All the food really seems great," Monica Musper said, who came with her husband and son. In the late 1970s, Monica had attended elementary and junior high school in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan and is still fluent in Indonesian and can fluently sing Indonesia Raya.

The excitement is not only felt by the visitors. Many exporter companies are exhibitors who have found their business partners, Canadian importers. "Alhamdulillah .. we have got a decent order," said Byip Mohsen, a furniture entrepreneur from Solo.

The Humbang Hasundutan regency is grateful for its participation in Indofest 2017. In addition to getting the order of organic products and attracting coffee investors, "We also obtained a scholarship commitment for Humbahas students from the University of Ottawa," said Lydia Panjaitan, the wife of the Humbahas Regent who leads her regional delegation.

While the owner of the culinary bazaar booth laugh cheerfully, because all the food completely sold out.

"Although we feel tired, the hard work pays off hehehe," joked Budi Mulyono, an Indonesian man who opened a chicken sate and rendang table. A total of 7000 chicken skewers and 35 kilograms of rendang meat was prepared and Budi sold everything out. The Bazaar turnover is estimated to reach around CA $ 30 thousand (about Rp 300 million).

For the Indonesian Ambassador to Canada Suwartini, the success of Indofest 2017 is just the beginning. "The government has tried to make many breakthroughs, now it is the turn of the businessmen to immediately follow up the agreements that have been woven with their partners," said Suwartini.

SITA PLANASARI AQUADINI