The Trade Ministry has set a target of attracting at least 10 percent of visitors at the international expo, which is being held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and is hoping to receive around 25 million people from October 1, 2021 until March 31, 2022.
The Indonesia Pavilion is among the most popular at the international exhibition, with the number of visitors to the pavilion reaching the 200 thousand-mark on November 2, 2021, according to Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi.
Children, in particular, are coming to the pavilion to see exotic animal species such as the komodo dragons and rhinoceros projected on the screen at the pavilion's Today Zone, Lutfi noted.
Children are also keen to see Indonesian kids dressed in traditional attire and reciting an oath to protect the Earth in several languages, such as Arabic, Indonesian, English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, and Korean, he said.
"Visitors to the Indonesia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai are offered to catch a glimpse of Indonesia by experiencing and witnessing its civilization, development, and opportunities. This is important, as we are aiming to showcase Indonesia's important role in global development in the past, present, and the future," Lutfi remarked at the pavilion on November 3, a day prior to the inauguration of the Indonesia National Day by President Joko Widodo in Dubai.
The Indonesia National Day celebration, themed 'Land of Diversity', was held to promote the country's rich culture, nature, and cuisine to the world.
The event featured cultural and arts performances supported by technology to briefly promote the country to the world.
In a short video that was played during the National Day ceremony, President Widodo said Indonesia has immense natural beauty, as seen in Likupang in North Sulawesi, Lake Toba in South Sumatra, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, and the Borobudur Temple in Central Java.
Meanwhile, the Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow zones at the Indonesia Pavilion portray Indonesia's role in global development, he added.
Indonesia has played a role in global trade since the past as the country is one of the world’s main producers of exotic spices, such as nutmeg and cloves, he noted.
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Nutmeg has been important in global development, he said. Without nutmeg, no expeditions would be successful as nutmeg is used to preserve foods for long journeys, he pointed out. Hence, colonial countries such as Britain, the Netherlands, and Portugal were drawn to Indonesia’s islands to hunt for spices in the past, he added.
The Indonesia Pavilion is showcasing the country's openness to business and investment, its rich culture and arts, as well as natural resources, the President said.
On Indonesia National Day, the nation showcased its culture, natural diversity, and business opportunities through a spectacular performance using sophisticated technology at Al-Wasl Plaza.
Besides, the Indonesia National Day also displayed the country’s excellence in telecommunication technology that has been crucial in supporting the government’s program for providing better connectivity to Indonesian people living in thousands of islands.
In addition, Indonesia also expressed its readiness to collaborate with other countries during the Indonesia National Day event.
"We gave a message to the world that Indonesia is truly a country that is ready to collaborate with any country, especially for human resources," Didi Sumedi, Commissioner General of the Indonesian Pavilion at the expo, said.
The potential of Indonesia's human resources can be seen in various fields, including innovation, industry, and technology, he added.
Indonesia's culinary products are one of the highlights of the Indonesia Pavilion, according to Sumedi, who is also the director general of export development at the Ministry of Trade.
The culinary delicacies offered at the Indonesia Pavilion's cafeteria are aimed at helping promote Indonesian tourism to international tourists, he remarked.
The cafeteria's nasi padang has emerged as the most popular dish not only among visitors but also delegates from other countries at the pavilion, he noted.
Nasi padang is served with rendang, which is considered one of the most delicious dishes in the world, and other side dishes, such as roasted or fried chicken, perkedel (fried mashed potato), and boiled vegetables, he said.
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Apart from rendang, mi goreng (fried noodles) is also a favorite among visitors, he revealed. The pavilion also serves nasi goreng (fried rice), soto betawi soup, bakso (meatballs and noodle soup), sate ayam (chicken satay), and sweet martabak, he said.
The Indonesian specialty dishes are offered by the Bandung Restaurant in the cafeteria, he added. The restaurant was established in Abu Dhabi in 2001, he said.
Apart from food, visitors can also opt for Luwak coffee to weather the heat in Dubai, he said. Many have been seen recommending the coffee to their friends and families, he added.
One visitor, Tirtsa from Russia, said that she especially liked nasi padang with rendang.
“The rendang was very delicious. First time I tried here, and I have already had it six times with my friends and family. I even always recommend Luwak coffee as well to anyone I meet at the expo,” she stated.
It is hoped that Indonesia's participation at the expo will provide opportunities to revive Indonesia's tourism, which has been battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir.
"Indonesia's presence here serves as a medium of marketing to make the country more well-known. With this, it will certainly allow our tourism to revive," he noted.
Besides, Expo 2020 Dubai also presents an opportunity to attract investment from various countries to Indonesia that could potentially expedite the nation's economic recovery and create more jobs, he added.
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Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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