Indonesians celebrate I-day in UAE

Dubai - According to Firman, there are around 80,000 Indonesians living and working in the UAE, with 54,000 of them based in Dubai and the northern emirates.

Dubai-based Indonesian expats commemorated their nation's 72nd Independence Day in a simple but meaningful celebration at the Indonesian consulate in Bur Dubai on Thursday.
"Kerja Bersama" or working together was the central theme of the occasion and Consul-General of Indonesia Arzaf Firman called on his compatriots to boost the spirit of cooperation to help build a stronger and better Indonesia.
"We (Indonesians) have to work together to realise the goals stipulated in our 1945 Constitution aimed at establishing a country with a strong foundation for justice and wealth for every Indonesian," Firman told Khaleej Times.
"For Indonesians living in Dubai, celebrating our Independence Day is a strong reminder on the fundamental value of working together to build a better Indonesia. Working together also means cooperating with peoples of other nations for mutual objectives and benefits," he added.
Firman also called on his compatriots to help overcome the domestic challenges facing Indonesia. "Although we are away from our homeland, I believe that we can help combat the rising threat of terrorism brought about by Daesh-inspired groups. We can also do our part in our country's fight against illegal drugs, corruption and unequal distribution of wealth," Firman underlined.
"We can achieve these goals simply by instilling our hearts with respect to Indonesian as well as UAE laws," he added. 
According to Firman, there are around 80,000 Indonesians living and working in the UAE, with 54,000 of them based in Dubai and the northern emirates.
More and more Indonesians are now calling the UAE their home, according to Dubai residents Sisca Nafiri, Nona Ratni and Angelina Misi. "Although we miss our local dishes, Indonesian food are now becoming popular in Dubai. Like today we shared a sumptuous meal of Indonesian favourites such as Tumpeng, a cone-shaped yellow rice dish with vegetables and meat side dishes. We also had gulai kambing (mutton curry), capcay (mixed vegetables) fried chicken, fish, sambal goreng kentang (fried potatoes) desert, tropical fruits, and bubur kampiun, a combination of sweet black rice and munggo (green) beans in sugarcane syrup," the trio shared.
Meanwhile, aside from observing their national day, Indonesian business leaders also celebrated 41 years of diplomatic and trade relations between the UAE and Indonesia which started in 1976.
According to Gusmalinda Sari, chair of Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), the total trade between the UAE and Indonesia has reached a total of $1.58 billion (Dh5.8 b) last year for non-oil products, including garments, jewellery, cosmetics, food, sweets, and cars.
"There are so many business opportunities that we will further explore and we want to boost the trade relations between the two countries by actively campaigning for more trade shows and direct business to business relationships," Sari emphasised.
angel@khaleejtimes.com
 
 

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