The event started with a gala dinner at Inaya Hotel, Nusa Dua on August 24, where delegates were entertained with cultural performances such as Garuda Kencana traditional dance, traditional songs from South Sumatra, East Java, Yogyakarta, South Sulawesi, West Java and other areas. Singer Lea Simanjutak and musician Dwiki Dharmawan also gave performances at the event.

There was also a performance from Baleganjur Janger Dancer who presented several Balinese traditional dances. Four Putri Pariwisata beauty queens also attended the gala dinner.

This is the first time the IMSS is being held in Bali after it was conducted in Jakarta twice, back in 2013 and 2015. IMSS talks about maritime security issues within countries who are part of Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium.

“As an effort to support the improvement of tourism in Indonesia, IMSS is held in different locations in Indonesia and this time around it’s in Bali. Our motto is ‘This is not only a symposium but also exploring Indonesian culture and heritage,” Said Navy chief of staff Adm. Ade Supandi.

Apart from attending the symposium, guests are also taken to visit several places such as Tari Barong studio, silverware shop, Krisna Art Market and Taman Safari Bali.

Next year, Bali has been appointed as the host of IMF – World Banks Annual Meetings 2018 that will be held in October. (asw)

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