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St. Gallen forum expected to raise RI's profile
Indonesia is intensifying efforts to increase its international profile at an annual gathering of political, community and business leaders in the Swiss city of St
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ndonesia is intensifying efforts to increase its international profile at an annual gathering of political, community and business leaders in the Swiss city of St. Gallen.
Aside from diplomatic efforts to foster closer relationships with other nations and regions across the globe, Indonesia is set to use the forum to promote trade and attract foreign investors.
Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan will deliver a speech on Friday at the 43rd St. Gallen Symposium, an event that has offered opportunities to companies, communities, leaders and young people to work together. This year's topic focuses on 'Rewarding Courage.'
Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chairman M. Chatib Basri and Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) chairman Sofjan Wanandi are also scheduled to speak at this year's symposium, which is to be attended by 600 international top executives.
The St. Gallen Symposium is a global gathering of businesspeople, academics, political leaders and students that takes place each May at the University of St. Gallen.
The gathering is unique since it is organized by the International Students' Committee (ISC) consisting of 30 volunteer students from the university.
The forum provides a setting for relevant debates between the leaders of today and tomorrow on the topics of management, politics and civil society. It provides leaders and young talent across the globe with fresh insights into the most relevant issues with the aim of creating meaningful change.
This year's speakers include International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Christine Lagarde, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd chairman of the board of directors Josef Ackermann, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, former ASEAN secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan and UBS Group chief executive officer Sergio P. Ermotti.
In line with the symposium, the Indonesian Trade Ministry is also organizing a cultural performance, including a culinary extravaganza from an Indonesian chef, with the 'Remarkable Indonesia: Indonesian dinner night' at the Einstein Congress in St. Gallen on Thursday night.
The event, featuring the country's young talent, including traditional dancers and violin players, is expected to be attended by approximately 300 international executives and some of the world's brightest young minds. The ISC has also planned a Dinner Night with its partners, which aims to contribute to the success of the symposium by connecting the two-day dialogue.
Cultural performances overseas have been part of Indonesia's strategy to promote its exports. It is expected to complement this with other efforts through trade negotiations.
Gita is expected to speak about the country's strengths; from abundant natural resources, a young and technically trained work force, to a growing domestic market and an increasing investment climate.
As the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to reach US$1 trillion in 2013.
The country has been less affected by the global financial crisis than its neighbors, with Indonesia's economy growing by 6.3 percent in the first half of 2012, making it the fastest growing G20 economy after China.
Indonesia grew by 6.5 percent in 2011 and is expected to grow by 6.3 percent this year.
