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Helsinki: The Indonesian Embassy (Embassy of Indonesia) in Helsinki hosted ASEAN Day on August 8, marking the 56th anniversary of ASEAN. The event was attended by over 60 guests, including representatives from ASEAN countries in Finland and Sweden, namely Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

In the statement received by the Indonesian Embassy in Helsinki Medcom.idRecently, representatives from embassies of European Union countries and other ASEAN dialogue partners, such as Canada, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia and the States (USA) were also present. Envoys from various Finnish government agencies, chambers of commerce and related partner organizations were also present.

According to Ambassador Ratu Silvy Gayatri, one of the main programs for holding the ASEAN Day in Helsinki this year, according to Ambassador Ratu Silvy Gayatri, is the strengthening of partnerships, especially in the economic sector between ASEAN countries and the European Union. This is in line with the theme chosen by the Indonesian government for the realization of the ASEAN Chair 2023, namely
“ASEAN Matters, Epicenter of Growth.”

Ambassador Silvy, who oversees diplomatic missions in Finland and Estonia, recalled that ASEAN is the world’s fifth largest economy and has shown resilience in the face of various turbulences. Amid various global challenges over the past two years, including the outcome of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the economy of the ASEAN region in 2024 and 2024 is expected to grow by 4.7% and 5 %.

“The pace of economic growth is being driven by strong domestic consumption in ASEAN countries. This shows ASEAN’s ability to continue to drive regional and global economic growth,” the Ambassador said. Silvy in his remarks at the opening of the event.

Ambassador Silvy invited guests from the business community, as well as representatives from European Union countries, to attend the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum to be held in Jakarta on September 4-5. The meeting, according to Ambassador Silvy, was very strategic as a vehicle for the exchange of ideas between the business community in the search for investment opportunities, as well as the opening of relations for various cooperations. economic.

“We hope that the business community of Finland and the European Union can attend the Indo-Pacific Forum in Jakarta, while opening up opportunities for cooperation in the fields of green infrastructure, inclusive digital transformation and financing. sustainable,” said Ambassador Silvy.

ASEAN and the countries of the European Union maintain fairly close relations. Diplomatic relations have been officially established for 45 years. The European Union is listed as ASEAN’s third largest trading partner after China and the United States.

The total value of trade in the ASEAN-EU region in 2021 will reach USD 268.9 billion. Meanwhile, foreign direct investment (FDI) from the European Union to ASEAN reached US$26 billion during the same period. This figure makes the European Union the second largest foreign investor in ASEAN after China.

On ASEAN Day, the Indonesian Embassy in Helsinki introduced Gandi Moenthe, an Indonesian singer who now lives in Finland and who caused a stir after taking part in The Voice of Finland talent contest in 2022. Gandi sang the ASEAN anthem: ASEAN Way to open the event, which was warmly welcomed by the guests.

The Indonesian Embassy in Helsinki also presented a variety of delicious Indonesian culinary specialties to the guests, including dumplings, chicken satay and fried rice. Other ASEAN countries also brought their respective culinary specialties during the lunch.

The Royal Thai Embassy, ​​for example, serves Kai-Pa-Lo, Chicken Phanaeng, Beef Phanaeng, while the Malaysian Embassy features Kuih Pandan Bakar. Additionally, the Embassy of the Philippines presented Pancit Canton Bihon and Maja Blanca and the Embassy of Vietnam presented Bánh Cu?n Ch? Georgia.

“Through this culinary variety, we hope that guests can taste the face of ASEAN in terms of its culinary richness,” Ambassador Silvy added.

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(AIT)