Economic relations
Total value of trade between two nations reached US$1.92 billion in 2008, US$2.08 billion in 2009, and US$2.18 billion in 2010. The balance of trade mostly in favour to Indonesia, with surpluses from the period 2005–2010, in 2009 Indonesia recorded US$1.58 billion surplus and US$1.62 billion surplus in 2010. Spain ranked the 14th place of Indonesia's export partners that buys coal, copper, palm oil, natural rubber, and electronics. On the other hand, Spain sells airplanes, aluminum, cigarette paper and pharmaceuticals to Indonesia. [4]
Spain's investment in Indonesia is considered not to have reached its true potential since there are room to grow. In five years period (2005–2010), Spain's investment has reached the value of US$48.9 million in 17 projects, mainly on construction, chemical and pharmaceutical, transportation, logistics, storage and communications sectors, mostly located in Java and Bali. [4]
Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is fully within Indonesian territory, as well as the sixth-largest island in the world at 482,286.55 km2 (182,812 mi.2), including adjacent islands such as the Simeulue, Nias, Mentawai, Enggano, Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung and Krakatoa archipelago.
Aceh, officially the Province of Aceh, is the westernmost province of Indonesia. It is located on the northern end of Sumatra island, with Banda Aceh being its capital and largest city. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west, Strait of Malacca to the northeast, as well bordering the province of North Sumatra to the east, its sole land border, and shares maritime borders with Malaysia and Thailand to the east, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India to the north. Granted a special autonomous status, Aceh is a religiously conservative territory and the only Indonesian province practicing Sharia law officially. There are ten indigenous ethnic groups in this region, the largest being the Acehnese people, accounting for approximately 70% of the region's population of about 5.5 million people in mid-2023. Its area is comparable to Croatia or Togo.
Tourism in Indonesia is an important component of the Indonesian economy as well as a significant source of its foreign exchange revenues. Indonesia was ranked at 20th in the world tourist Industry in 2017, also ranked as the ninth-fastest growing tourist sector in the world, the third-fastest growing in Asia and fastest-growing in Southeast Asia. In 2018, Dénpasar, Jakarta and Batam are among of 10 cities in the world with fastest growth in tourism, 32.7, 29.2 and 23.3 percent respectively. The tourism sector ranked as the 4th largest among goods and services export sectors.
Banda Aceh is the capital and largest city in the province of Aceh, Indonesia. It is located on the island of Sumatra and has an elevation of 35 meters. The city covers an area of 61.36 square kilometers (23.69 sq mi) and had a population of 223,446 people at the 2010 Census, rising to 252,899 at the 2020 Census. The official estimate as at mid 2023 was 261,969.
Indonesia was the first country to be seriously affected by the earthquake and tsunami created by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on 26 December 2004, swamping the northern and western coastal areas of Sumatra, and the smaller outlying islands off Sumatra. Nearly all the casualties and damage took place within the province of Aceh. The time of arrival of the tsunami was between 15 and 30 minutes after the deadly earthquake. According to the country's National Disaster Relief Coordination Agency, around 130,000 people were dead and 37,063 were missing. In addition, the UN estimated that 655,000 people were homeless and sheltering in scattered refugee camps across the province.
India and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on 16 April 1949. Both countries are neighbours, India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Indonesia along the Andaman Sea.
Argentina and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1956. Since then, bilateral relations between both countries have become increasingly more strategic. According to Argentine Ambassador to Indonesian Javier A. Sanz de Urquiza, Indonesia has been a "true friend of Argentina" over the Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute. Argentina has an embassy in Jakarta, while Indonesia has an embassy in Buenos Aires. Both countries say they share the same values regarding the international order, and the same aspiration to defend the developing nations' interest in international forum. Both countries are members of Group of 77, the G-20 major economies, the G20 developing nations, and Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation.
Indonesia and Turkey established diplomatic relations in 1950. Diplomatic relations are particularly important because both are Muslim-majority countries as well as modern democracies. Indonesia has an embassy in Ankara and consulate-general in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Jakarta, and honorary consulate in Medan since May 1996. Both countries are full members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, MIKTA and the G-20 major economies.
Badan Rehabilitasi dan Rekonstruksi (BRR) NAD-Nias, or Agency for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Aceh and Nias, was an Indonesian government agency which coordinated and jointly implemented the recovery programme following the December 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that mostly affected Aceh and the March 2005 Nias–Simeulue earthquake.
Sekolah Laboratorium Unsyiah, also known as SMA Labschool Unsyiah is a community-based school that is a part of the Universitas Syiah Kuala complex in Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia.
Diplomatic relations between European countries and Indonesia date back to 1949. Initially, European Union (EU)–Indonesia relations were facilitated through the EU–Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cooperation. Bilateral cooperation was continuously expanded and eventually the EU Delegation to Indonesia was opened in 1988. Economic and political dialogue between Indonesia and the EU takes the form of regular Senior Officials Meetings. In 2000 relations were further reinforced with the release of the European Commission's communication "Developing Closer Relations between Indonesia and the EU". In November 2013, the EU's high representative for foreign and security policy Catherine Ashton made her first official visit to Indonesia.
Indonesia and Portugal established diplomatic relations in 1950. Portuguese explorer and trader first reached Indonesian archipelago during the Age of Exploration in the 16th century in order to search for spices in the Indies.
Indonesia and Italy established diplomatic relations on 29 December 1949. Italy has shown strong desire to improve its relations with Indonesia, especially in intercultural understanding and trade. Indonesia recognizes Italy's strategic location and important role in the middle of Mediterranean region, while Italy has favoured relations with Indonesia, and sees Indonesia as the leader in Southeast Asia. The relations between two countries not only important to bridge the two regional communities; European Union and ASEAN, but also vital as intercultural and interfaith dialog, since Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, and Italy is the heart of the Catholic faith.
Indonesia and Venezuela established diplomatic relations in 1959. Since then, both countries enjoy friendly ties. Both nations agreed to expand the trade and investment relations, especially in tourism, technology, chemicals and natural gas sectors. Indonesia has an embassy in Caracas, while Venezuela has an embassy in Jakarta. Indonesia and Venezuela are members of multilateral organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Non-Aligned Movement and Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation.
Indonesia and Switzerland established diplomatic relations in 1952. In 2010, the heads of state of the two countries agreed to launch negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Switzerland has named Indonesia as one of seven priority countries for economic development cooperation. Indonesia has an embassy in Bern, while Switzerland has an embassy in Jakarta, also accredited for East Timor and ASEAN.
Indonesia and Sweden established diplomatic relations on 23 November 1950. In recent years both nations demonstrate growing keenness to improve bilateral relations, as each head of government exchanged visits. Indonesia has an embassy in Stockholm that also accredited to Latvia, while Sweden has an embassy in Jakarta that also accredited to East Timor.
Belgium and Indonesia established relations in 1949. Belgium has an embassy in Jakarta and an honorary consulate in Surabaya, and Indonesia has an embassy in Brussels, also accredited to Luxembourg and the European Union.
Germany and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1952. However, relations between the people of Germany and Indonesia has stretched back to 19th-century when a large number of German nationals migrated to Dutch East Indies.
Indonesia and Norway established diplomatic relations in 1950. Since then, Indonesia and Norway has been cooperating in areas, such as climate and energy, democracy and human rights, international political issues and trade. Both nations has agreed to establish a strategic partnership against poverty and climate change, and also in promoting democracy and tolerance. Indonesia has an embassy in Oslo, while Norway has an embassy in Jakarta.
