Journal Swiss Consulate Opening Event

New Swiss Consulate Opening Event, Makassar | 02 June 2014

Stage for The Opening Ceremony of the Consulate of Switzerland - Makassar insert: greeter dressed in Swiss traditional costume

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pening the month of June, SCPP Public Relations team went on a short trip to Makassar, one of the biggest cities in Indonesia. The team was provided the opportrunity to represent Swisscontact programs (both SCPP and WISATA) in the opening ceremony of the new Switzerland Consulate Office in downtown Makassar.

During the event, the Public Relations team showcased SCPP and WISATA program by handing out goodie bags containing publications and freebies from both programs.

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I’m honored to be part of this and will try my upmost in contribute in strengthening the ties and improve the economy of the two countries Julia Puppela, Swiss Honorary Consul

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was a fine morning in Makassar, a major economic hub of Eastern Indonesia. On the 2 June 2014, the Swiss Government finally opened their Honorary Consulate Office in Makassar to cover the area of Sulawesi, Maluku, North Maluku, and other parts of Eastern Indonesia.

The event was held at New Shogun Restaurant, located at Jalan Penghibur, just across the famous Losari Beach, a main tourist attraction in downtown Makassar. Guests started to flood the streets since 8AM and was greeted at the event venue by a young man and woman dressed in traditional Swiss costume.

Julia Pupella, the appointed Honorary Consul, was also seen to welcome some VIP guests at the door. Among VIP’s are Umar 2

Left to right: Swiss Ambassador for Indonesia, Heinz Walker - Nederkoorn, South Sulawesi Governor, Dr. H. Syahrul Yasin Limpo, S.H., M.Si, M.H. and Julia Pupella, Swiss Honorary Consul for Makassar

Hadi – West Europe Director from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Masaki Tani from Japan Consulate, Irjen Pol Drs. Burhanuddin Andi, SH, MH. – Kapolda South Sulawesi, Muhammad Natsir Thaib – Vice Governor of North Maluku, Brigjen TNI Rukman Ahmad, S.IP - Kepala Staf Kodam VII/Wirabuana and many other government official representatives across Sulawesi and Maluku, Sulawesi’s business people and other consular officials.

Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn, Swiss Ambassador for Indonesia also came from Jakarta especially to inaugurate this Consulate.

The opening event was officially started at 10AM after the arrival of South Sulawesi Governor, Dr. H. Syahrul Yasin Limpo, S.H., M.Si, M.H. A beautiful traditional welcome dance was performed and followed by a welcoming speech by Julia Pupella. “I’m honored to welcome all my guests. Today is the opening of the consulate office for Sulawesi and Maluku, marking another chapter in the already existed relationship between the Re-

Left: South Sulawesi Governor, Dr. H. Syahrul Yasin Limpo, S.H., M.Si, M.H. | Right: Swiss Ambassador for Indonesia, Heinz Walker - Nederkoorn | Insert: Manfred Borer, Program Director Swisscontact at the event with other honorable guests

public of Indonesia and Switzerland which started more than 60 years ago. I’m honored to be part of this and will try my upmost by contributing in strengthening the ties and improve the economy of the two countries”.

Next was Umar Hadi, West Europe Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs giving speech on the importance of maintaining the 60 years bilateral relationship between the government of Indonesia and Switzerland. “I’d like to thank the Swiss Ambassador for his leadership and commitment for promoting bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Swiss government”.

Since it first started, the bilateral relationship in economy like trading, investment and tourism in Indonesia has been growing every single year. The opening of the consulate means an opportunity to develop the economics of both countries in many sectors as well as strengthening the human relations, friendship, solidarity and trust between both nations.

“Congratulations to Julia Pupella and best

of luck on the coming duty. I believe that the Swiss government made a smart and strategic decision by opening its consulate in Makassar covering th Eastern Indonesia. The advancement of East Indonesia will contribute to the development of the whole nation”.

Dr. H. Syahrul Yasin Limpo, S.H., M.Si, M.H., South Sulawesi governor, said in his opening speech that the opening of the consulate was definitely an important and strategic step for Indonesia, especially the eastern part of Indonesia to build a strong cooperation in many sectors and will be economically beneficial for both countries.

Delivering his speech in Bahasa Indonesia, Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn, Swiss Ambassador for Indonesia, mentioned the 3

Left: Swiss Ambassador, Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn with Julia Pupella exchanging gifts with South Sulawesi governor, Dr. H. Syahrul Yasin Limpo, S.H., M.Si, M.H. | Center: Swiss Ambassador, Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn giving a friendship souvenir to Indonesia’s government officials | Right: Haerul Nangngareng, SCPP Regional Program Manager posing in Swisscontact table showcase

support of the Swiss government in Indonesia’s cocoa sector development since 2012.

Through Swisscontact, the program has been working in 11 regencies throughout Sulawesi and has helped increase the quality, productivity and management capacity of more than 30,000 small holders. The program has also been supported by major Swiss companies in the cocoa sector for years. The ambassador also believes that tourism holds an important role in economic development.

Therefore Swiss government will help and support tourism in Sulawesi like Toraja and Wakatobi by working with local government through Swisscontact’s WISATA program.

While in return, through the opening of the consulate, the Ambassador also hopes to see more people come and visit Switzerland.

Ending his speech, along with Julia Pupella and Governor of South Sulawesi, the Swiss consulate was officially opened.

The Swiss government represented by Julia Pupella and the Ambassador on stage exchanged gifts with the Indonesian government officials such as the South Sulawesi Governor, representative from Maluku and North Maluku. The event then continued with lunch, serving Makassar’s 4

authentic dishes such as Coto Makassar.

During lunch, people were taking the time to stop by at the small table set up to showcase SCPP and WISATA, implemented by Swisscontact. Goodie bags with both programs publications and information leaflets were handed over. Some people were also quite curious and excited about the upcoming program in Toraja and Wakatobi.

After lunch, the guests were invited to join a short trip to Makassar’s Industrial area (KIMA) by riding a bus provided by the committee. The event closed at around 1PM.AS

All texts, photos and graphic by SCPP - Public Relations (Aya & Megi)

Swisscontact Country Office The VIDA Lantai 5, Room 01-04, Jl. Raya Perjuangan No. 8 Kebon Jeruk Jakarta Barat 11530 Ph. +62-21-2951 0200 Fax. +62-21-2951 0210