Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia’s Participation in EXPOs in the Northern Territory (Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine).

NT EXPO
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The Indonesian Consulate has been actively involved in this expo since early nineties. In its early involvements, besides having a stand in the designated venue, the Consulate also has been actively inviting businesses from Indonesia to partake in this special occasion. Indonesian delegates from Indonesia have been notably large, nonetheless, with the monetary crisis experienced during 1998-1999, the number of delegations both from business and government agencies have dropped significantly.

The Consulate provided Liaison Officers and other facilities for delegates from Indonesia prior to the monetary crisis to help them sell their products and negotiate business deals with their Australian counterparts.

Since 2000, the consulate still actively promoting this event in Indonesia to attract more business to partake in the expo, however, the interest was seemingly declined. Nonetheless, The Consulate has been maintaining its participation and presence up to last year, and in 2003, the Consulate won the Best International Exhibit award.

In addition to its presence, the Consulate has been providing the expo with colourful and interesting traditional Indonesian entertainments, such as dance and music. Last year, the Consulate organised a group of traditional dancers from Flores and Kolintang music orchestra to add to its repertoire of entertainments.

This year the Consulate will again participate in NT Expo this year.

Alice Springs EXPO
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The Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia has started to participate in the Central Australian Expo since last year, 26-27 March 2004. In this occasion, the Consulate included two dancers in its nine delegation to attend the expo. In addition to attending this Expo for the first time, the Consulate delegates also involved in other activities, such as meeting with the Lord Mayor of Alice Springs, visiting Alice Springs Correctional Centre, organising a Balinese dance and workshop at Alice Springs Language Centre and Charles Darwin University and Anzac Hill High School, holding a cocktail reception with local government and business people, and visiting Uluru.

The Consulate’s presence in this expo has been welcomed by both the locals and the government with open arms and great enthusiasm.

The Consulate again will attend this expo on 4-5 March 2005 with a lesser amount of delegates and activities due to the recent disaster in Indonesia.