 | | Welcome remarks by Ambassador Kurt Kunz | | Ambassador Kurt Kunz ©Swiss Embassy | | Dear fellow Swiss CitizensDear readersLiebe Mitbürgerinnen und MitbürgerLiebe Leserinnen und LeserChers concitoyensChers LecteursCari concittadiniCari lettori2021 has seen ups and downs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is coming to a close. Since the second wave in July – August, the situation has considerably improved across Indonesia and the Embassy was able to conduct several field visits to its development cooperation projects and participated in a long-awaited regional conference on business and human rights supported by Switzerland.High-level bilateral visits could again be envisaged, and we were happy to welcome the President of the Swiss Council of States, Mr. Alex Kuprecht, and Councilor of States Benedikt Würth early November. They held talks in Jakarta, both with Indonesian authorities and with the Secretary General of ASEAN. Their project visit to Lombok Tourism Polytechnic provided valuable insights into Switzerland’s longstanding support in dual vocational education and training.The annual bilateral political dialogue with Indonesia was conducted online on 22 September and the annual cooperation meeting with ASEAN took place on 16 November.On 14 September, the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Republic of Indonesia and the Swiss Confederation entered into force and on 1 November, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between EFTA and Indonesia took effect. Finally, on 30 November, Switzerland and Indonesia signed an agreement on the exchange of young professionals. These are important milestones for our longstanding partnership with Indonesia.A personal highlight for me was being able to accompany the Indonesian President, H.E. Joko Widodo, at the launch of a mangrove rehabilitation project in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, followed by a visit to monitor a local door-to-door and student vaccination drive.I hope that you will enjoy reading the newsletter which also contains important information about entering Switzerland and the services offered to Swiss citizens living abroad. Peace and joy to you and your family in this holiday season!I wish you a merry Christmas. Selamat natal. Frohe Weihnachten. Joyeux Noël. Buon Natale. Bellas festas a Nadal.Stay safe and healthy!Kurt Kunz | | | | COVID-19: TRAVEL REGULATIONS | | | Effective from 4 December, Indonesia is no longer considered a high-risk country. The normal entry requirements apply again to any person entering Switzerland directly from Indonesia. Due to the pandemic, certain restrictions are in place for entering Switzerland. With few exceptions, everyone entering Switzerland must present an entry form and a negative test result. There is currently no quarantine requirement for people arriving in Switzerland. You may need the Swiss COVID certificate to access certain areas in Switzerland. Please refer to the Federal Office of Public Health for more information. | | | | Consular service in Denpasar, Bali ©Swiss Embassy | | From 15 to 19 November, our consular team was in the honorary consulate of Switzerland in Denpasar, Bali, to provide various consular services to more than 60 Swiss citizens.Our consular team at the Embassy continues to be fully operational. In order to follow the recommended measures of social distancing, we are welcoming visitors by appointment only. Please schedule your appointment via email. | | | | Online desk for Swiss abroad | | The FDFA’s online desk offers Swiss nationals abroad the opportunity to request consular services from the comfort of their homes, for instance ordering confirmations, announcing civil status matters and so on. Register with the online desk here. | | | | Life certificate no longer required for OASI or DI pensions recipients (as per 1 January 2022) | | Stamp. Photo from Pexels. | | Swiss citizens in Indonesia who are registered with our representation and receive benefits from the Swiss Compensation Office or the IV Office for insured persons who are domiciled abroad no longer have to provide an annual life certificate. It is possible that individual insured persons will still receive a life certification form. In this case, the form must still be completed, officially certified and submitted to us within the given deadline so that the pension payment is not discontinued. | | | | SWISS-INDONESIAN RELATIONS | | | EFTA-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force | | Signing of EFTA-Indonesia CEPA in 2018. Photo courtesy of EFTA Secretariat. | | The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between EFTA States (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and Indonesia, entered into force on 1 November after ratifications from all parties. Besides eliminating trade tariffs between the countries, the agreement also covers investment, trade and sustainable development, and economic cooperation. Holding great potentials to strengthen Swiss-Indonesian bilateral relations, the CEPA also provides legal certainty and improves market access for Swiss economic actors including SMEs to enter Indonesia. The CEPA was signed in Jakarta on 16 December 2018. EFTA is the first European body that concludes such a partnership agreement with Indonesia. | | | | Official visit by Council of States’ President to Indonesia | | Swiss President Council of States Alex Kuprecht visited Indonesia from 31 October to 3 November. The official meetings focused on Switzerland’s economic relations with Indonesia, the new CEPA and Swiss-ASEAN partnership.Mr. Kuprecht and his delegation started the visit with a meeting with the World Bank to discuss Indonesia’s economy and Swiss economic cooperation projects. Marking the milestone of CEPA’s entry into force, the Swiss delegation met with the Indonesian Parliament, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, ASEAN, and representatives of Swiss companies, SwissCham Indonesia and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce. They proceeded to Lombok to visit Lombok Tourism Polytechnic, a partner school with Switzerland in developing sustainable tourism and a skilled workforce – two priorities of Switzerland Economic Cooperation Programme in Indonesia. The visit was concluded with a meeting with the ASEAN Secretary General, H.E. Lim Jock Hoi (learn more on the Swiss-ASEAN Relations section) and meeting with Koltiva, Gojek Indonesia and Tokopedia for gaining insight into the potential growth of the digital economy. | | | | Switzerland and Indonesia signed the Young Professionals Agreement | | Ambassador Mascioli and Director General Suhartono signed the Young Professionals Agreement. ©SEM | | Switzerland and Indonesia signed an agreement on the exchange of young professionals on 30 November in Bern.Under the CEPA framework, the agreement will govern the exchange of 50 young professionals between 18 to 35 years old from Switzerland and Indonesia respectively, who take up employment in their own fields. Eligible individuals will be granted a working permit for one year, with a possibility of extension for six months. Interested individuals shall be responsible for finding employment in the host country themselves. Respective business associations, including SwissCham Indonesia and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, may provide assistance in finding employment opportunities. At the signing, Switzerland was represented by Ambassador Vincenzo Mascioli, Director International Affairs, Federal Department of Justice and Police, State Secretariat for Migration SEM, and Suhartono, Director General of Manpower Placement Development and Employment Opportunity Expansion, Ministry of Manpower, represented Indonesia. | | | | Mutual legal assistance treaty came into effect | | Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter and the Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly. Photo: Keystone. | | The Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Republic of Indonesia and the Swiss Confederation entered into force on 14 September. The treaty creates the basis for cooperation in detecting and prosecuting criminal activities, in particular corruption and money laundering. | | | | Pluralism is key, says Switzerland at Bali Democracy Forum | | Ambassador Kunz at the 14th Bali Democracy Forum ©Swiss Embassy | | On 9 December, Switzerland participated in the 14th Bali Democracy Forum, an annual intergovernmental conference on democracy in the Asia-Pacific region. Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, Assistant State Secretary for Peace and Human Rights, spoke virtually from Bern. He underlined that pluralism is a key feature of democracy and one of its main strengths. He also stressed the importance of inclusion and participation. Meanwhile, Ambassador Kunz represented Switzerland at the conference in Bali, where he briefly met with the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi. | | | | Business and human rights: Switzerland supports regional conference | | Ambassador Kunz talking to Achsanul Habib, Director for Human Rights, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs ©Swiss Embassy | | Switzerland supports the private sector in fulfilling their human rights responsibilities. On 18-19 November, we partnered with Indonesia and the United Nations Development Programme in organizing the Regional Conference on Business and Human Rights in Jakarta. The conference brought together representatives from business, government and civil society from Asia. They took stock of the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights 10 years after their adoption and shared experiences and good practices of responsible business conduct. Nestlé Indonesia talked about its human rights due diligence and a representative from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs moderated a panel on the corporate responsibility to respect human rights. In his closing remarks, Ambassador Kunz said, “The pursuit of economic interests and respect for human rights can reinforce each other.” | | | | Ambassador Kunz accompanied President Joko Widodo plant mangroves and monitor vaccination in Kalimantan | | President Jokowi before the mangroves planting at Tana Tidung District, Tarakan. Photo courtesy of Kemensetneg RI. | | Ambassador Kunz had the honour to join President Joko Widodo and the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, in planting mangroves at Tana Tidung District, Tarakan, North Kalimantan, together with local people, several other ambassadors and the The World Bank’s Country Director. The planting is part of Indonesia’s aim to restore 600,000 hectares of mangrove forests in the country by 2024. With more than 3 million hectares, Indonesia has the largest mangrove forest in the world. Ambassador Kunz hopes that this rehabilitation program can be an example for Indonesia and the world, and a stimulus to pay more respect to nature and live harmoniously with it.The planting was followed by a visit to monitor a local door-to-door and student vaccination drive, part of Indonesia’s efforts to increase the vaccinate rate to overcome the pandemic. | | | | ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT | | | Handover of 12-year successful collaboration in productivity training to local service providers | | Commemorative pledge at the handover ©Swiss Embassy | | Since 2009, Switzerland, together with Norway, has been supporting the Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) programme implemented by the International Labour Organization. SCORE is a global programme that improves productivity and working conditions in SMEs by implementing effective productivity trainings that combine practical classroom training with in-factory consulting.Over the past almost 12 years, SCORE has successfully implemented trainings and improved working conditions in 500+ SMEs and was able to reach more than 35’000 workers in Indonesia. Participating SMEs have reported positive results in terms of increased productivity, material and energy savings, as well as reduced waste.On 3 December, the programme successfully handed over its mandate to eight local implementing partners, with the Business Export Development Organization acting as the national lead service provider and coordinator of the productivity training. This will ensure the sustainability of SCORE trainings in Indonesia. | | | | Solidifying the vision for sustainable transportation in Makassar | | INDOBUS project presenting the feasibility study results ©Swiss Embassy | | On 1 December, Switzerland took part in the Makassar Smart Transportation Forum organized by the Mayor of Makassar, Mohammad Ramdhan Pomanto. This event was a direct follow up to the discussion conducted in May 2021 between Switzerland, BMU Germany, GIZ, and the Mayor of Makassar with regard to the activities under the Switzerland-funded INDOBUS Project which is developing a feasibility study for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the Makassar Metropolitan Region.The Smart Transportation Forum was attended by the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of National Development Planning, South Sulawesi Provincial Government, local governments within the Greater Makassar Region, development partners, and international financing institutions. The forum marks a strong and clear commitment from the Makassar City Government and the South Sulawesi Provincial Government in support of a reformed transportation system in the metropolitan area, and thus also supporting the activities being carried out by the INDOBUS Project.The forum was also a very important platform to showcase the BRT plans developed by the INDOBUS Project particularly to the national and international financial institutions. As the feasibility study is currently being finalized, it is crucial to explore potential concrete financing options as the next step towards realizing a fully-operational BRT system in Makassar Metropolitan Region that is reliable, equitable, and sustainable. | | | | Bringing much-needed private sector experience to dual vocational education and training in Indonesia | | L to R: Arus Gunawan (BPSDMI), Daniel Weber (S4C), Henry Chia (SwissCham Indonesia) and Amb. Kunz at the signing ©Swiss Embassy | | On 24 November, SwissCham Indonesia and the Swiss-funded Skills for Competitiveness (S4C) Project signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on strengthening dual vocational education and training in Indonesia. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Ambassador Kunz and Arus Gunawan, the Head of the Human Resources Agency at the Ministry of Industry. In addition to the LoI, five Swiss Companies – Endress+Hauser, Bühler, Givaudan, Indesso Primatama and SICPA entered into a direct collaboration with three Indonesian polytechnics that are supported by the S4C Project (Bantaeng, Jember and Morowali). The Swiss companies will offer 6 to 12 months of internships to top performing students. These trainings will further improve the quality of vocational education in Indonesia and contribute to a more skilled workforce that is able to meet market demands across different sectors. This partnership between Swiss companies and Indonesian polytechnics is yet another important milestone for Switzerland’s almost 50-year partnership with Indonesia in vocational education and training. | | | | Indonesia’s bid to play a bigger role in the global fishery value chain | | Ambassador Kunz and Minister Trenggono showing shared commitment to support the fishery sector ©Swiss Embassy | | In November, Indonesia launched its first ever shrimp brand and seafood website. Switzerland supported the brand development through the Swiss Import Promotion Program (SIPPO), and the UNIDO GQSP Indonesia: SMART-Fish II programme. The Indonesia Shrimp brand will support the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in reaching its target to increase shrimp exports by 250% by 2024. It will be an effective tool to increase awareness about Indonesian shrimp and help reach new markets and ultimately increase exports. The launch event was followed by a buyer and supplier gathering, linking suppliers from Indonesia with buyers from around the world. During the event, the Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono noted that „Indonesia’s exports of marine and fishery products continue to increase, and we realize that the Switzerland can become a strategic partner, both as an investor and a buyer of marine and fishery products.“ Ambassador Kunz stated that the EFTA-Indonesia CEPA is set to meet this demand and further boost the export of Indonesian aquaculture products to Switzerland and the other EFTA states. | | | | Boosting the competitiveness of shrimp, seaweed, pangasius and milkfish farmers | | Local pangasius farmer in Karawang presenting newly harvested fish ©Swiss Embassy | | Through the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) Indonesia: Smart-Fish Phase II, Switzerland supports the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and the National Standardization Agency in developing national quality standards, particularly in the fisheries sector to improve the productivity and competitiveness of aquaculture farmers. The programme also aims to improve market access for selected aquaculture value chains, such as shrimp, seaweed, pangasius, catfish and milkfish.In November, the Embassy had the opportunity to visit two partner fisheries Polytechnics (Politeknik Ahli Usaha Perikanan AUP-STP and Politeknik Perikanan Karawang) and 14 locations in Jakarta, Lampung, Karawang and Pemalang where new standard operating procedures for good aquaculture farming practices are being piloted. First results of the pilots are very encouraging. Farmers that participate in the pilot have improved their productivity by 55% and increased their profits by almost 30%. Beneficiaries in the area see GQSP as a valuable resource for assisting farmers and aquaculture value chain actors to benefit from more sustainable trade. | | | | Improving water supply and sanitation services through technical assistance | | Participants of IUWASH PLUS closing event in Magelang ©Swiss Embassy | | In light of the IUWASH PLUS Project completion in February 2022, the Embassy attended its closing event in Magelang on 23 November. The event marks the conclusion of the project’s activities in Central Java which have achieved promising results in improved water supply and sanitation services. 9,500 new water supply connections were made and 40,000 households have gained access to improved sanitation services in Central Java thanks to IUWASH PLUS.Switzerland supports the project by providing technical assistance to seven water utilities in West Java and Central Java specifically for reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and increasing Energy Efficiency (EE). By the end of the project, water utilities in Central Java are expected to reduce NRW by up to 4% and increase EE by approximately 18%, thus allowing water utilities to increase revenue and optimize savings for future investments. Following on these promising achievements, regional heads in Central Java Province signed a ‘Declaration of Commitment’ at the closing event to solidify their intention to continue the initiatives introduced by the IUWASH PLUS to ensure their sustainability.Aside from attending the closing event, the Embassy also had the pleasure to visit PDAM Kota Magelang and the Akademi Tirta Wiyata (AKATIRTA) – a vocational education institution which specializes in water supply. Through Swiss-funded activities under IUWASH PLUS, AKATIRTA is being supported in developing a 2035 Roadmap which defines the institution’s long-term vision and strategies. | | | | Resource efficiency and cleaner production for sustainable eco-industrial park development | | Ambassador Kunz visiting ABB’s factory in MM2100 Industrial Town. Photo courtesy of ABB Indonesia. | | Ambassador Kunz paid a visit to the MM2100 Industrial Town Cikarang in Bekasi on 11 October. The visit was organized to see the progress of the Global Eco-Industrial Park Programme (GEIPP-Indonesia), a collaboration between Switzerland, the Indonesian Ministry of Industry and UNIDO. GEIPP Indonesia aspires to demonstrate the viability and benefits of Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) approaches in increasing resource efficiency and improving businesses’ economic, environmental and social performance. By addressing the development of EIPs in Indonesia through GEIPP, Switzerland contributes to Indonesia’s development agenda of inclusive and sustainable industrial growth. During the visit, the Ambassador also visited ABB Indonesia’s factory as one of the MM2100 tenants. Switzerland and ABB Indonesia are committed to support the national industrial development plan by boosting economic and social performance through collaboration in environmental and resource management practices. | | | | Switzerland’s continuous support to improve skills in tourism | | Representatives of the Swiss Embassy, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Lombok Tourism Polytechnic and STED project during the visit to Lombok ©Swiss Embassy | | Since 2018, Switzerland has been supporting sustainable tourism skills development in Indonesia, through the Sustainable Tourism Education Development (STED) project, implemented by Swisscontact.Working with the Ministry of Tourism and the Lombok Tourism Polytechnic (PPL), the STED project aims to develop a better-qualified workforce to support Indonesia’s growing tourism sector by improving curricula and teacher qualifications, while also fostering ties between the polytechnic and the tourism industry.In October 2021, the Embassy visited Lombok and met with PPL’s new director, Herry Rachmat Widjaja, and the Head of the Center for Human Resource Development for Tourism and Creative Economy, Faisal, to discuss the school’s progress, particularly in terms of curriculum development, teaching and learning activities, and facility development. The discussion resulted in a renewed commitment by all parties to strengthen collaboration among all partners, including the Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern (SHL). The meeting was followed by consultations with representatives from the tourism industry, which included a visit to two hotels in Lombok, that have been hiring PPL’s students for internships, as well as actively participating in the project’s activities. The benefits of the project and its activities, which were deemed very valuable by the hotel representative, were discussed. As a result of the project, these hotels have been hiring up to 10 interns from Poltekpar Lombok each year, indicating a positive assessment and relevance of the skill sets of the students | | | | Swiss-supported Invisible Hopes won a Citra Award for Best Documentary Feature Film | | “Mama officer, open the door!” Film poster courtesy of Lam Horas Production. | | Co-funded by Switzerland, Invisible Hopes won a Citra Award for the best documentary feature film at Festival Film Indonesia (FFI) 2021 last month. When receiving the award, director and producer of the film Lamtiar Simorangkir, expressed her plea in front of President Joko Widodo for the betterment of pregnant prisoners and their children who are born and raised behind bars. The Citra Award is arguably Indonesia’s most prestigious film award which recognizes achievements in the Indonesian film industry. | | | | SWISS-TIMOR-LESTE RELATIONS | | | Courtesy Call with the new Ambassador of Timor-Leste | | Ambassador Kurt Kunz and Ambassador Filomeno Aleixo da Cruz ©Swiss Embassy | | Ambassador Kunz paid a welcome visit to the new Ambassador of Timor-Leste, H.E. Filomeno Aleixo da Cruz on 10 November. Switzerland’s candidacy for the UN Security Council, cooperation projects, and political developments in both countries were some of the topics discussed in the meeting. Switzerland has supported several projects in Timor-Leste, such as water and sanitation and human rights training. | | | | President of the Swiss Council of States visits ASEAN | | Mr. Kuprecht was received by Dato Lim at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta ©ASEAN | | On 3 November, the President of the Swiss Council of States (Swiss Parliament), Mr. Alex Kuprecht, met the ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi in Jakarta. It was the first official meeting between the Swiss Parliament and ASEAN.They discussed the opportunities to strengthen ties and cooperation between Switzerland and ASEAN in trade and investment, peace and security, sustainable development and digitalisation. They also talked about cooperation between the Swiss Parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). On 1 November, Mr. Kuprecht visited the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre) in Jakarta. The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit works closely with the Centre. It contributes to strengthening the Centre’s emergency operations, disaster monitoring and response system. | | | | President Guy Parmelin holds dialogue with ASEAN economic ministers and private sector | | President Parmelin and the Swiss delegation joined the dialogue from Bern ©EAER | | On 13 September, President Guy Parmelin, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, held an online dialogue with economic affairs ministers from ASEAN. The dialogue was used to identify potential areas for economic cooperation.The meeting focused on the ongoing negotiations on a declaration on cooperation on free trade issues between EFTA countries and ASEAN. Mr. Parmelin and the ASEAN economic affairs ministers also discussed digitalisation and e-commerce. Cooperation and support in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic was also an important topic.The ministers listened to private sector representatives from Switzerland and ASEAN. The ASEAN economies continue to gain importance and hold significant growth potential.Switzerland was the ninth biggest source of Foreign Direct Investment flows into ASEAN countries in 2019 and 2020 and the biggest investor from Europe. Two-way trade between ASEAN and Switzerland was recorded at USD 25.8 billion in 2020. | | | |
bumi bahagia / Glückliche Erde 
Hat dies auf haluise rebloggt.
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Bei uns in Surabaya kommen die Spritzer erst Anfang Januar in die Grundschulen SD.
Bis jetzt war alles im Homeschooling mit Haendi und so, soll sich aber aendern, nachdem der Segen der Umpfing ueber die Kinder ergangen
sein wird. So denken die sich das, die Heinis von der katholischen Schule.
Nun ist die Sache bei uns aber so, dass der Klassenlehrer in letzter Zeit erkennbar mitgenommen aussah, mitten im Online-Unterricht
eingeschlafen ist oder sich beim Vorrechnen der Mathe-Aufgaben verrechnet hat etc. (Kein Wunder bei dem Mathe-Niveau, hihi..)
Und da haben wir mit den anderen Bapaks und Ibus der anderen Kinder ein bissel rumdiskutiert, woran das denn liegen koennte
und was auch die Kinder ueber 12 in anderen Schulen ploetzlich fuer Krankheitsstaende haben….
Und waehrend auf Bali ausser dem Kommentar ‚Heile Welt‘ anscheinend nix geht, machen wir hier richtig WIDERSTAND !
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