Belarus Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr. Vladimir Lopato Zagorsky, gave public lecture to International Relations students of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Tuesday (22/10) in the seminar room of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences. In the lecture titled the Position of the Republic of Belarus in Establishing International Ties and Strategic Partnership with Indonesia, Zagorsky said Indonesia was one of states most strategic for trade goals for Belarus. Trade volume showed Indonesia’s rank at 41 of 174 countries that have trade ties with Belarus. “The value of trade volume is 193.7 million dollars, increasing by 0.6 percent compared to last year,” said Zagorsky.
He said Indonesia was a potential market for Belarus export products that include agricultural machines such as tractor, fertiliser, dump truck, and product of digital technology. Indonesia, on the other hand, exports agricultural products, textile and plantation products such as cacao, coffee, textile, shoes, music instruments, and paper. “There are around 200 products from Indonesia traded into Belarus,” he revealed.
He said the diplomatic ties with Indonesia had started since 1993 but the Embassy office in Jakarta was just opened in 2011. “There are 24 collaboration outcomes already signed in areas such as economy, trade, etc. Recently, Belarus has opened a consulate office in Surabaya,” he said.
Zargosky added they were establishing cooperations in science and technology and digital economy. Following the visit made by President Joko Widodo to Silicon Valley in the U.S., a multinational company from Belarus, Fenox Venture Capital, has invested in start-up businesses in Indonesia. “There are 6 projects already for start-up business, each worth $50 thousands,” he said.
Belarus lies in Europe with 9.5 millions population. It has six provinces and 118 districts with economic growth at 6 percent per year. Human Development Index (HDI) ranks Belarus at 50 of 188 countries.
Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of UGM, Dr. Erwan Agus Purwanto, said the general lecture from Ambassador Zagorsky was to widen the insight of the students in terms of Belarus foreign policy. “I think not all students here know things about Belarus. Now, they can learn much about Belarus here,” he said.