H.E.
Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia Imron
Cotan made an official visit to South Australia
on July 7-9 2004, with his wife Madame Sri Nuraeni
and delegation, including Mr Aidil Chandra Salim
(Head of Political Section), Mr Wahdi S. A.
Yudhi (Culture and Education Attaché),
Mr Sutriono Edi (Trade and Industry Attaché),
Mr Saud Krisnawan (Vice-Consul, Consulate-General
of the Republic of Indonesia, Sydney), and Mr
Deane Edgecombe (Honorary Consul of Indonesia
in South Australia). His Excellency was also
accompanied by Ms Bev Smart, Deputy Chief of
Protocol from the Department of the Premier
and Cabinet.
The Ambassador and his delegation
had a very busy three days, visiting a wide
variety of South Australian government departments,
key politicians and representatives from other
relevant organisations in South Australia. Included
in these visits, were calls upon the Department
of Trade and Economic Development, Mr Ian Scobie
and Ms Annette Tripodi from WOMADELAIDE (for
Arts Projects Australia), Mr Peter Vaughan (CEO,
Business SA), Mr David Lawson (Regional Trade
Commissioner, Austrade), Mr Bruce Wood (Vice
President Strategic Projects, SANTOS), Mr Ron
Radford (Executive Director, Art Gallery of
South Australia), The Hon Steph Key, MP, The
Hon Paul Holloway MLC and the Hon Rob Kerin
MP (Leader of the Opposition).
H.E. Mr Cotan and his entire
party also had the opportunity to enjoy the
hospitality of H.E Marjorie Jackson-Nelson AC
CVO MBE, Governor of South Australia.
The delegation called upon
various tertiary institutions such as the University
of South Australia, Flinders University and
the University of Adelaide. These visits were
significant, as the Ambassador is keen to promote
Adelaide as a preferred base for Indonesian
students. Only 1000 of the 30,000 Indonesian
students studying in Australia are based in
South Australia despite the fact that it is
cheaper than other Australian cities. With regards
to this issue, the Indonesian Government will
be sending a high-level education delegation
to Adelaide in September in order to assess
South Australia's potential for taking more
Indonesian students.
The Ambassador was also able
to spend some time with the Indonesian community
in South Australia, attending meetings with
Indonesian students, a presentation by the Australian
Indonesia Business Council and a radio interview
with Ms Roswita Ninumo Khaiyath, Indonesian
Radio Program.
During the visits, the Ambassador
and his delegation held discussions and an exchange
of views on a wide range of issues regarding
developments in both Indonesia and South Australia.
Undoubtedly, this further strengthened the great
relationship between Indonesia and South Australia.
In addition to the official
visits made during his trip, the Ambassador
was able to take in some of South Australia's
ambience. His Excellency and his party were
fortunate enough to enjoy a tour of the Wirra
Wirra Vineyards in the McLaren Vale Wine Centre
as well as casually inspect the new property
development at Glenelg.
