Indonesia News EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA IN ANKARA, TURKEY Volume V November 2007 The 10 th Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair (INACRAFT 2008) 23 27 April 2008 at Balai Sidang Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta Indonesia Housewares, Home & Garden Decoratives Artificial flower, dried flowers, ceramic flowers vase, candle holder, lighting lamp, wood carving, ornament, craft silver, table cover embroidery, cushion cover, place mate, embroidery bed cover, wooden furniture, rattan furniture, fiber furniture, coconut furniture, bamboo furniture, garden furniture,a kitchen wares, basket wares, table wares, bathroom wares, carpet, painting, candle, glass item, natural stone, pottery, bird house & accessories, umbrella, wind chime, doormat, garden ornament, plan terrace set, self watering hanging planter, garden bridge, garden statue, etc Batik Painting batik, Printing batik, Stamped batik, Silk, etc From the first INACRAFT in APril 1999 through the ninth, INACRAFT has indicated its own characteristics right showcases handicraft products for entrepreneur/ exporter/ craftmen from Indonesia and handicraft producing countries within Asia. Moreover, INACRAFT has been weel known by domestic and overseas buyers as an exhibition to be necessarily visited to find high quality and favorite handicraft product. Official Airlines: GARUDA INDONESIA Call Center : (62-21) 2351-9999, (62-21) 0807-1-807-807 (24 hours service) Fax : (62-21) 2311-740 E-mail : promosi_ga@garuda-indonesia.com Contact Person : Mr. Antony Zulkarnain Note: Garuda Indonesia will provide discount air ticket of 40% of the RSP rate for Economy Budget Fare (L-Class) for Exhibitors & Visitor Overseas. Products Exhibited: Gift Items Ballpoint & Wooden box, Candy jar, Woven blanket throw, Key accessories, Lighter box, Jewelry box, Small photo frame, Cigarette box, Aromatherapy, Stationery item, etc. Toys & Games Wooden toys, soft toys, game board, inflatable toys, toys box, footballs, jigsaw puzzles, education games, etc. Fashion Garment & Embroidery Fashion embroidery garment, Moslem dress, Indonesian ikats, Indonesian songket, Indonesian ulos, Hand oven fabric, etc. Jewelry Gold jewelry, silver jewelry, pearl jewelry, shell jewelry, precious stones, etc Contact the Organizer : PT. Mediatama Binakreasi Gedung Graha Megah - Balai Pustaka Indah Permai, Jln. Balai Pustaka Timur No.39 Blok B9, Jakarta 13220 - Indonesia Phone: (+62-021) 4896942, 4721563 Fax: (+62-021) 4893056 Website : http://www.ptmediatama.com Supporting Program: 1. Business contact 2. Business consultation 3. Conference 4. Spot sale 5. Product demonstration 6. INACRAFT Awards 7. Door prize 8. Launching 10 th INACRAFT memoar book World Bank upbeat on Indonesian economic growth The World Bank said that it was upbeat about Indonesia's economic growth prospects despite a US slowdown and high oil prices, predicting 6.4 percent expansion in 2008. Domestic consumption and investment should compensate for a global slowdown in export growth enabling Southeast Asia's largest economy to top this year's 6.3 percent expansion, the bank said in its six-monthly regional analysis. "Consumption, investment, exports... these are all pretty positive signs that things look very positive going forward," the report's lead author Milan Brahmbhatt told a teleconference from Washington. The growth "should continue to attract foreign investment and support the focus on increased infrastructure spending and improving the investment climate," the bank said in a separate statement. World Bank Indonesia's lead economist William Wallace said in Jakarta that based on Indonesian figures, it appeared that investment levels would "probably be back to pre-crisis levels" this year. "As growth picks up, investors want to be there," he said.
World Bank upbeat on Indonesian economic growth (continued ) Asked about the possibility of figures being revised downward, he said: "I think the economy is getting hotter, not colder. I think the numbers are more likely to go up." Nevertheless, he said that if projections had been made six months ago, the forecast for next year could have perhaps been as high as 6.7 or 6.8 percent. The bank's country director, Joachim von Amsberg, said that the positive macroeconomic environment created a window of opportunity for Indonesia, where some reforms after the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis have still been lagging. "Reforms to improve the investment climate will quickly attract additional investments that will lead to new jobs, more vibrant competition and higher incomes that reduce poverty," he said in the statement. Indonesia's government is targeting growth of 6.8 percent next year, though officials have noted that high oil prices and a mortgage default crisis in the US could shave that figure. Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistics meanwhile announced Thursday the economy had expanded by 6.5 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, citing strong growth in consumption. The higher-than-expected figure puts Indonesia back on track to meet its target of 6.3 percent growth for this year, said Citigroup economist Anton Gunawan. The Indonesian economy grew by 6.3 percent in the first half of this year compared to a year before. Investment Opportunity Cultivation of Shrimp Potential Large shrimp represents the superior commodity, and it has to be developed through cultivation. To support the business, high technology with good management and environmentally friendly vision is required. Both local and international market demand high production of the shrimp. Rivers are the sites where the shrimp come from, but the cultivation is limited. Thus, it gives the opportunity for local communities to improve productivity by developing the river stream territory hatchery cultivation. Shrimp farming production continues to grow while traditional shrimp catch production is decreasing. Penaeus monodon accounts for the largest share of production though Penaeus vannamei appears to overtake it. Penaeus vannamei is largely cultivated by semi-intensive and intensive farming. Indonesian shrimp producers are facing virus attacks that decrease production and antibiotic residues that result in restrictions by destination countries. Although seafood resources are relatively large, utilization of such resources has not been optimal. Marine accounts for the largest portion of seafood production and producers are fishermen using non-motorized boats and traditional techniques that do not have storage and freezing facilities. As a result, Indonesian production and quality do not always meet export market standards. However, shrimp production is increasing due to the expansion of shrimp farms. Shrimp farms are typically low-lying impoundments along bays and tidal areas. Opportunities for shrimp products continue to grow with the increasing potential in export markets and the increase in the human population. Shrimp is becoming an alternative source of high quality animal protein in Indonesia. Prior to shrimp aquaculture development, which began in South Sulawesi in 1964, wild catch shrimp was the only source of shrimp production in Indonesia. In 2005, marine wild catch shrimp production was only 40 percent of total Indonesian shrimp production. While wild catch shrimp production is slowly decreasing, shrimp farm production is increasing. Production In 2005, shrimp-farming area was estimated to be 132,800 ha, with Penaeus monodon (P. monodon) accounting for 65 percent of total area and Penaeus vannamei (P. vannamei) accounting for 35 percent. The situation is expected to change in 2009. Total shrimp farming area will almost double. P. monodon shrimp farming will increase over 60 percent, but will only account for a little over half of total shrimp farming area. P. vannamei shrimp farming area will increase 160 percent, and account for 47 percent of total farm area. Integrated shrimp development is on eastern and central Java, southern and northern Sumatera, and western Kalimantan. Currently, there are three types of shrimp farming in Indonesia; traditional or extensive farming, semi-intensive farming, and intensive farming. The farms are classified by the stocking density, the level of inputs, and the degree of management. Traditional or extensive farms are owned by traditional farmers who cultivate their ponds with milk fish (poly cultures), whereas semi-intensive and intensive farms are owned by companies. These companies tend to produce three crops of shrimp per year and have their own hatchery and cold storage facilities. Intensive farms are usually integrated companies with facilities for breeding, hatching, farming, producing feed meal, shrimp processing, and exporting. Because shrimp comes from various sources, production can not be fully traced and standards are inconsistent. Indonesia as an archipelago surrounded by seas and oceans possessing a large potential supply of seafood products, including a variety of fish, shrimp, crab, and squid.
Investment Opportunity Cultivation of Shrimp (continued..) Both P. monodon (jumbo tiger prawn) and P. marguiensis (white shrimp) were popular during 1964-2000. However since 2000, P. vannamei production is growing rapidly and is expected to outpace the other two in the next few years. It is typically cultivated on semiintensive and intensive farms. Though semi and intensive farms account for only 25 percent of total area used as shrimp farms, they account for about 60 percent of shrimp farming production and 80 percent of shrimp production for export. The larger shrimp farms tend to be located in the coastal regions of northern and southern Sumatera; the island of Java; western, southern, and eastern Kalimantan; southern, southern-eastern, and central Sulawesi; and western Nusatenggara. P. vannamei production increased five fold in five years between 2000 and 2005. However, the deterioration of seedstock quality due to inbreeding and nonstandard broodstock by small-scale hatcheries, degradation of ponds, water contamination, uncontrolled feed use, and disease outbreak are becoming obstacles to further increased production. Rather than import expensive broodstock, shrimp farmers prefer to produce broodstock locally, which has resulted in broodstock deterioration. Seedstock The Indonesian government (GOI) committed to encouraging shrimp production because of the high economic value and potential for export. GOI announced its 2006-2009 strategic plan for shrimp farming development with the goal of producing 540,000 tons of P. vannamei and P. monodon in 2009. To support the GOI goal, it will need 52 billion of seedstock (9.7 billion for P. monodon and 42.5 billion for P. vannamei production) in 2009. However to meet with this goal, 600,000 imported and locally produced SPF (Specific Phatogen Free) broodstock and 300,000 locally SPR (Specific Pathogen Resistance) broodstock will be needed. Currently, seedstock is supplied by both large-scale and small-scale hatcheries. The total number of shrimp hatcheries is 810 (521 small-scale hatcheries, 264 private companies hatcheries, and 25 government hatcheries). Some of the broodstock is imported from Hawaii and Florida. To reduce its dependence on shrimp broodstock imports, breeding centers are being developed on the islands of Sulawesi, Java, and Sumatera. Shrimp feed In 2005, shrimp feed mill capacity was 450,000 tons/year. Estimated sales during 2005 were 240,000 tons, which excludes feed produced by integrated farms. Shrimp feed is produced by 20 shrimp feed mills in 6 provinces throughout Indonesia. To meet GOI 2009 targets, an additional 128,000 tons of shrimp feed will be needed. Total demand will be 182,000 tons of shrimp feed for P monodon production and 395,000 tons of shrimp feed for P. vannamei production. Indonesian Shrimp Feed Association forecasts that imports of fishmeal, much of it used in shrimp feeds, will reach 850,000 tons in 2007, up 21 percent from an estimated 700,000 tons in 2006. Feed can represent over 50 percent of the production cost in intensive shrimp farming in Indonesia. Market The main market is for domestic consumption, and it is estimated 4-5 tons daily. Domestic and regional consumption are existed to supply the restaurants, hotels, and household s demand. The export markets are: Singapore, Japan, the USA, and European countries. Since the large shrimp cultivation needs high economic value of breeding technology and cultivation system, it is more open for business people. World total shrimp imports during the first half of 2007 were on a slight downward trend compared to the same period last year. With 356 000 tonnes imported during the January- June 2007 period, the EU was the number one market for shrimp. Unlike USA and Japan, the EU market for shrimp continued to expand (+2%). However, although EU imports for warmwater shrimp increased (mainly extra-eu), coldwater shrimp imports were on a downward trend (mainly intra-eu), with the exception of coldwater Argentine shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) sales which increased significantly thanks to record high landings. Almost all major European shrimp markets experienced an increase of their imports during the period under survey (+16% for Spain, +8% for France, +6% for Italy and +23% for Germany), apart from the UK which is the number one market in Europe for coldwater shrimp and which consequently registered a 10% decrease of its imports, which are, in some cases, beneficial for exporting countries. The Japanese decrease in shrimp imports was weaker compared to the beginning of the year. The US reduction in shrimp imports was visible only in the second quarter of 2007. The trend may be inverted thanks to the readjustment of shrimp antidumping duty rates. source: eurofish.dk
Investment Opportunity Cultivation of Shrimp (Continued..) Potential Areas Provinces in Indonesia that currently offering potential for shrimp cultivation to investors are: Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung, West Java, West Sumatera, West Sulawesi, Riau, Papua, North Sumatera, Bali, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam, West Papua, West Nusa Tenggara, West Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Maluku, Lampung, Jambi, East Kalimantan, Central Java, North Sulawesi. IMPORTANT ADDRESSES (REGIONAL INVESTMENT COORDINATING BOARD): BADAN KOORDINASI PENANAMAN MODAL DAERAH KABUPATEN PELALAWAN PROPINSI KEPULAUAN RIAU Address: Jln. Lintas Timur, Pangkalan Kerinci, Pelalawan, Riau, Indonesia. Phone: (+62 0761) 493122 Fax: (+62 0761) 493122 Email: investment@bkpmd-pelalawan.go.id BADAN KOORDINASI PENANAMAN MODAL DAERAH PROPINSI BANGKA BELITUNG Address: Jln. Merdeka No.4, Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Belitung, Indonesia. Phone : (+62 0717) 437705,437706, 437707 Fax : (+62 0717) 438850 BADAN PROMOSI DAN PENANAMAN MODAL DAERAH PROPINSI JAWA BARAT Address: Jln. Sumatera No. 50, Bandung 40115, Jawa Barat, Indonesia. Phone: (62-22) 4237369 Fax: (62-22) 4237081 KANTOR GUBERNUR PROPINSI NUSA TENGGARA BARAT Address: Jln. Pejanggik No. 12, Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia. Phone: (+62 0370) 62833 Fax: (+62 0370) 651020 Email: pde@ntb.go.id BADAN PROMOSI DAN PENANAMAN MODAL DAERAH PROPINSI MAKASSAR Address: Jln. Urip Sumoharjo No. 269, Makassar 90231, Indonesia. Phone: (62-0411) 453614 Fax: (62-411) 453614, 423478 BADAN PROMOSI DAN INVESTASI PROPINSI RIAU Address: Jln. Gajah Mada No. 200, Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia. Phone: (+62 0761) 33616, 20212 Fax: (+62 0761)20213 BADAN KOORDINASI PENANAMAN MODAL PROPINSI KALIMANTAN BARAT Address: Jln. Jenderal A. Yani, Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia. Phone : (+62 0561) 743491 Fax : (0561) 743491 DINAS PROMOSI INVESTASI, KEBUDAYAAN DAN PARIWISATA PROPINSI LAMPUNG Address: Jln. Jenderal Sudirman No. 29, Bandar Lampung 35128, Lampung, Indonesia. Phone: (+62 0721) 261430 Fax: (+62 721) 266184 BADAN PROMOSI DAN INVESTASI DAERAH PROPINSI KALIMANTAN TIMUR Address: Jln. Basuki Rachmat No. 56, Samarinda, Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia. Phone: (+62 0541) 743235 743487 Fax: (+62 0541) 736446 BADAN KOORDINASI PENANAMAN MODAL ( INVESTMENT COORDINATING BOARD ) Address: Jalan Jenderal Gatot Subroto No. 44, Jakarta 12190, Indonesia. Phone : (+62 21) 5252008, 5252649, 5254981 Fax : (+62 21) 5254945 Website: www.bkpm.go.id Email: contactus@bkpm.go.id
Company Exposition Seafood Processor and Exporter from Indonesia Company Profile Established in 1990 as PT. Wahyu Utama Sakti by Mr. Herman Sentosa, our company PT. Wahyu Pradana Binamulia is today processing and exporting various seafood products for customers from different countries in the world. To keep the good long-term relation with our customers, our team always works together to improve customer satisfaction continuously, by delivering the requested best quality products. For the same goal, we equip our production facilities in such a way that they fulfil the international standards. Today, our total export volume of frozen seafood is about 2000-2500 MT/year. We have also obtained EEC (European Economic Community) approval number (248.22.B) and FDA (Food and Drugs Administration USA) Registration Number (green ticket) 11794893572. Production Facilities: shrimp processing line, value added seafood processing line, fish and other seafood products processing line, equipped with IQF Freezer, Contact plate freezers, Cooking line, In-house laboratory, Water treatment with ozone system, etc. Production plants: P1 for raw frozen fish and cephalopod P2 for raw frozen shrimp P3 for value added product P4 for raw frozen black tiger shrimp P5 for dried seafood To get raw materials with the best quality, we also have some mini plants, which are located near the source of the raw materials, for pre-treatment of the products. Number of employees: about 750 people SHRIMP PRODUCTS Species Process (raw/blanched/cooked) / / Freezing cooked) Black Black Tiger Tiger Head Head On On / Headless Headless / EZ EZ Peel Peel Block Block White Vannamei Peeled (PUD/PND/PTO) Semi Block White Vannamei Stretched PTO (Nobashi), White Butterfly PTO, etc. Etc. Semi IQF Flower White IQF Black Flower Pink Sea Pink Black Pink Slipper lobster Head On / Headless Quality Assurance Implementation of HACCP-based Integrated Quality Management Program In-house laboratory for microbiological tests Antibiotics tests for every shipment Brand: UTAMA Brand PRATAMA Brand By agreement, besides our own brands (UTAMA and PRATAMA), we can also pack the products using customers own Brands. Species Flying Fish Roe Seaweed (Glacilaria, Cottonii, Spinosum) DRIED SEAFOOD PRODUCTS Process Dried and cleaned (without fibres) Dried and cleaned CONTACT INFORMATION : Office 1/Factory (P1, P2, P3) Jln. Kima Raya ID-2C, Kawasan Industri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia. Phone: (+62 0411) 510130, 510256 Fax: (+62 0411) 512973 FISH AND CEPHALOPOD CEPHALOPOG PRODUCTS Species Process Freezing Flying Fish Whole Block Flying Fish Fillet Whole Block Semi Block Fillet Semi Block Milk Fish Other process as requested Other process as Semi IQF Skipjack requested Semi IQF IQF IQF Tilapia Tilapia Snapper Snapper Tuna Tuna Whole/Loin/Steak, or as requested Whole/Loin/Steak, or as Cuttle Fish /Baby Cuttle requested Whole Fish Fillet Cuttle Fish / Baby Cuttle Squid Whole Tube Fish Fillet Other process as Octopus / Baby Octopus Tube requested Other process as requested Office 2/Factory (P4, P5) Jln. Kima Raya X T-2B, Kawasan Industri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia. Phone: (+62 0411) 4720895, 4720896 Fax: (+62 0411) 4720897 Web: www.wahyupb.com Email: sales@wahyupb.com
One additional use of charcoal rediscovered recently is in horticulture. Research on Terra preta soils in the Amazon has found the widespread use of biochar by pre-columbian natives to turn otherwise unproductive soil into very rich soil. The technique may find modern application, both to improve soils and as a means of carbon sequestration. Competitive Source: Indonesian Charcoal Charcoal is the blackish residue consisting of impure carbon obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by heating wood, sugar, bone char, or others substances in the absence of oxygen. The soft, brittle, lightweight, black, porous material resembles coal and is 85% to 98% carbon with the remainder consisting of volatile chemicals and ash. One of the most important historical applications of wood charcoal was as a constituent of gunpowder. A limited quantity is made up into the form of drawing crayons; but the greatest amount is used as a fuel, which burns hotter and cleaner than wood. Charcoal is often used by blacksmiths, for cooking, and for other industrial applications. Charcoal briquettes are widely used for outdoor grilling and barbeques in backyards and on camping trips. INDOCHARCOAL JAYA ABADI Company was established on April 2002 as a specialized manufacturing company on making a high standard Charcoal. We have marked our export to Australia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Middle East, Greece, and New Zealand. Our charcoal made from Merbau (hardwood from Irian/Papua) and Ulin (hardwood from Kalimantan/Borneo), hexagonal shape with centre hole. Our company aim is to bring our expertise and competence in delivering high quality charcoal to the benefit of our customers. We have 15 unit machines, combined with our strong network to assure constant as well as sufficient supply of the wood sawdust, and non-stop 3 shifts working hours. Contact : Company: Indocharcoal Jaya Abadi Address: Jln. Kapten Darmosugondo 18C, Gresik, Jawa Timur 61161, Indonesia. Phone: (+62 031) 60102592 Fax: (+62 031) 8419641 PT. SURYATAMA GLOBALINDO Company was established in 2002 and is the manufacturer of charcoal and active carbon from Indonesia. We are supplier and exporter of charcoals. Charcoals available are: mangrove wood charcoal (Log style), hardwood charcoal (Lump size), coconut shell briquette (Cube) and granular, sawdust briquette charcoal (Hexagonal), bamboo charcoal (Lump and Granular). While in active carbon, we produce in form of powder and granular for the use of: Water treatment and purification, Food and pharmaceutical industry, Brewery industry, Mining industry, automotive industry. Our company is focusing in selling of variety of charcoals for the use of barbeque or energy. We have marketed our product in both local an overseas. Our products have been exported to several countries, just to name a few, South Korea, USA, and Africa. As our motto says, customer satisfaction is the main priority; we always give and serve every customer with full dedication. We treat our customers equally and try our best to fulfill their demand and needs. Therefore, they will satisfy with our product as well as the service. In addition to the above, characteristics of our charcoal is odourless, smokeless, high temperature of heat, long burning time, and the most important is no chemical (100%natural). Therefore, since our charcoal is free of chemical, it is safe for the user as well as the environment. Contact : Company: PT. Suryatama Globalindo Address: Green Garden No. 7, Jakarta 11520, Indonesia. Phone: (+62 021) 4613667 Mobile: (+62) 8129493996 Fax: (+62 021) 4613671 INDO CHITO INTERNATIONAL Company has sawdust briquettes, sawdust ogalite, hard wood charcoal and briquettes, charcoal for plants and garden applications. We guarantee our price is very competitive. We are currently seeking for Buyers, Wholesalers or Buying Agents. Optional Information: - HS Code: 4402 Wood Charcoal (Including Shell or Nut Charcoal); - Payment: Irrevocable L/C at sight; - Delivery: 3 weeks after open L/C; - Origin: Indonesia; - Minimum Order: 1 container 20 feet; - Packaging: 20 kg pp woven + inner plastic; - Samples: Free Contact : Company: Indo Chito International Address: Jln. Merak 71, Rewwin Waru, Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur 61256, Indonesia. Phone: (+62 031) 8540647 Fax: (+62 031) 5924617
Visiting Bandung A Reason to Go (Bandung Impression from an Expatriate) Stephen Fleay for many years a freelance correspondent for the BBC, has now moved to Bandung. Stephen had initially planned semi-retirement in Chiang Mai northern Thailand, but decided after just two years there, that in Indonesia the former Parijs Van Java was a far more interesting place. Charlie Chaplin liked it so much that he stayed 3 times at the Savoy Homann. Some of the rooms are still originally furnished with 20's and 30's fittings. The moment one steps in the door of this building, it's a trip back in History. The old part of the Preanger is a living museum and the wood paneled parlor is almost unchanged since it was built in 1919, even a wind-up gramophone. In the new Preanger there's a delicious buffet lunch Mondays to Fridays with a different Indonesian style of food each day. Then there's the Braga..this was THE shopping street of Java back in the 20's and 30's. The place to see and be seen. Nowadays it's a bit run down, but look inside the buildings and you'll see some of the original marble floors and decorative walls tiles, even some pretty mosaics. Bandung is indeed more than well known by the locals. On weekends and public holidays, the usual population of around two million swells with an influx of visitors from Jakarta and other major Indonesian cities. They come to take advantage of the milder climate, just as the Dutch did for several hundred years during those colonial times. Bandung's usually chaotic traffic becomes further amplified with the Jakarta B number plates. But traffic jams, potholed roads, can add to the charm of Bandung. Getting there can take a long time, but it gives an excellent opportunity to take in those tree lined streets and still in tact Dutch designed buildings. There are some magnificent structures still in tact..art Deco at its grandest in the Savoy Homan and Preanger Hotels. There's an interesting second hand shop, with lots of curiosities. I spotted a decorative old Philips radiogram, lots of old Dutch paintings (alas no Rembrandts), what the owner says are Ming Dynasty pieces, antique pistols, plenty of clocks and even reading glasses. One can spend an hour or so looking at this place alone. In place of the fashionable boutiques, they sell some rather kitchy, but colorful paintings and hand painted post cards. You can always haggle down the price and take home and original piece of Indonesian art. I like the Braga and having been there one more than once occasion discover something new each time.
Visiting Bandung (continued..) But if its modern you want, then its modern you'll get. Bandung has four large shopping Malls and more are being built and planned. There's the BSM or Bandung Super Mall. Its huge and said to be one of the largest in Asia. Not only a wide range of clothing shops, but an indoor fun fair complete with roller coaster. Istana Plaza is more in middle of the road, and has an ice skating rink. The BTC or Bandung Trade centre would be the best place for clothes bargains, and its food court with scrumptious Indonesian dishes is a must for every visitor. Electronics are to be found at the BEC or Bandung Electronic's Centre. Duty Free? Well prices here in my opinion are surely lower than your favorite international airport shopping centre from computer hardware and software to hand phones. BEC also has a nice food court with not only Indonesian food, but also French fare, and a coffee shop. At lunch and dinner time there's live music in the restaurant. Bandung certainly needs to be rediscovered with no direct International flights getting there is a challenge, but from Jakarta my suggestion is to take the train. During the last hour of the 3 hour journey the scenery is magnificent, and food is served on board Executive Class trains. Book a hotel such as the Malya or any other of a host of top class places and you'll be picked up at the train station, given a drink of your choice and even booked in, before you even reach your temporary residence. There are lots of interesting places to visit.nearby hot springs, volcanoes, a city zoo, or just tour the Braga and shop in the Jeans street. You'll not be disappointed. Stephen Fleay - The smiles are genuine here! Important Adddress (Tourist promotion office) : Dinas Pariwisata Kota Bandung Address: Jln. Ahmad Yani No. 227, Bandung, Indonesia. Phone: (+62 022) 7210768 Jln. Stasiun Timur No. 1, Bandung, Indonesia. Phone: (+62 022) 4216648 Useful Source: http://wikitravel.org/en/bandung INDONESIA NEWS IS COMPILED, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA IN ANKARA, TURKEY Abdullah Cevdet Sokak No. 10 (P.O.BOX 42) Cankaya 06680, Ankara, Turkey Phone (90-312) 438-2190 Fax (90-312) 438-2193 www.indoank.org