London (ANTARA News) -The Indonesian Embassy in London has held a 2018 Year End Dinner to appreciate and maintain relations with business partners in the UK who have been maintaining economic relations between the two countries.

A statement from the embassy received by Antara here Sunday stated that the year-end banquet was attended by guests from 19 companies and institutions in the UK, such as HSBC, Standard Chartered, Arup, City of London, and several importers of Indonesian commodity products.

The Indonesian Ambassador to the United Kingdom concurrently Ireland and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Rizal Sukma, in his remarks expressed his appreciation to the business in the UK for the partnership that has been established for quite long.

"Although 2018 is full of global challenges for relations between the UK and Indonesia, the performance of Indonesia`s economic diplomacy in the UK continues to show positive developments due to the support and strong partnership between the UK and Indonesian businesses," he said when opening the Year End Dinner at Asia House, London on Friday (Dec 14).

At the event, the CEO of Garuda Indonesia, the Indonesian flag carrier, Ari Askhara, promoted the reopening of the direct flight route Jakarta - London.

Ari also introduced direct flight of London-Jakarta and London-Bali routes along with the Garuda`s tagline "Fly with Garuda".

On the same occasion, Ari Askhara also presented Garuda Miles Platinum Members to the guests of the Year End Dinner.

Bank Mandiri was also promoted, mainly because it has provided support for British business people who would do business in Indonesia.

According to Executive Director of Bank Mandiri Europe, I Nyoman Suarja, Bank Mandiri Europe seeks to help companies in Europe, especially in the UK, to do business in Indonesia.

"And in an effort to enhance the economic relations, Bank Mandiri Europe is ready to connect business people in Europe who want to do business with their Indonesian counterparts," Suarja said.

The dinner was held by the Indonesian Embassy in London in collaboration with the Indonesia Investment Promotion Center (IIPC) in London, Bank Mandiri, and Garuda Indonesia.

Closing the banquet, Ambassador Rizal Sukma introduced the new Director of IIPC London, Aditia Prasta.

The Director of IIPC London appreciated the partnership of British companies in Indonesia and encouraged the improvement of UK investment in Indonesia.

Reporting by Zeynita Gibbons, Libertina
Editing by Yoseph Hariyadi

Reporter: ANTARA
Editor: Bustanuddin
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