Bank Account for West Sumatra Earthquake Aid

Indonesia Ministry of Finance has just opened an account at Bank Indonesia to provide an opportunity for the Nationwide and International donors to provide funds for earthquake victims in West Sumatra.

As a report from Harry Z. Soeratin, the Head of Public Relations Bureau, Indonesia Ministry of Finance, the Minister of Finance accounts for Sumatra Natural Disaster Aid are listed as below:

- Account No.519.000124 –> for Rupiah (Rp) currency and for currencies other than USD, EUR, and JPY.
- Account No.609.022411 –> for USD currency
- Account No.609.000991 –> for EUR currency
- Account No.609.007111 –> for JPY currency

All assistance will be disbursed by the Government to the disaster areas. The government ensures the accountability of transaction records. For more information, you can open http://www.depkeu.go.id.

Well, this is quite a new action from Indonesian government and I appreciate it very much. As I recall, previously the foreign aids for natural disaster always come in the form of goods. By receiving the aid in the form of money, the aid can be used by the needed people in other important sectors other than food or clothes, such as an asset for them to rebuilt their home or their business. I just hope that the money from this aid can really help the needy in those disaster area.

64th anniversary of Indonesia Independence

Happy Independence Day

On 17 August 1945 Indonesians proclaimed its Independence from Dutch colonial rule. Today we Indonesians are celebrating the 64 anniversary of its Independence. There are so many way to do ceremony and celebrate the Independence Day.

Below are some of ceremonies that have been held on 64th Anniversary:

First Picture (Left) is about Underwater ceremony: Divers wave a red and white flag in an underwater ceremony to celebrate the country’s 64th Independence Day at Malalayang beach, Manado on Monday. The event is the first of its kind and will be included in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Second Picture (Right) is about Celebrate it in the old way: Dozens of old bicycle lovers took part in a ceremony to commemorate the country’s 64th Independence Day in front of the Lawang Sewu building in Semarang on Monday.

The common way that usually do by the Indonesian people is to held some games such “makan kerupuk”, “balap karung”, and many more.

Sail Bunaken 2009: August 12 - 20, 2009

World Ocean Conference and Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Summit are over. The success of both events gave the North Sulawesi Government the initiative to host an International event called "SAIL BUNAKEN 2009" which will be August, 12th-18th 2009 in Manado, North Sulawesi. A lot of programs will be a part of the SAIL BUNAKEN's agenda which will attract a lot of foreign and domestic tourists.

Sail Bunaken 2009 is one of the largest events of the year 2009 and will offer strategic business opportunities for various products and services.

North Sulawesi is one of the provinces in Indonesia that has great tourism potential and there by one of the reasons it was chosen to host the international event SAIL BUNAKEN 2009. The Sail Bunaken event is expected to help to promote Manado and North Sulawesi as one of the rising tourism destinations in South East Asia.

Sail Bunaken 2009 will involve 24 warships and 150 sail boats and cruise ships from 26 countries.

Sail Bunaken 2009 is actually a part of World Ocean Conference's activities (that was held in May 2009 in Manado) which had a theme of "Protect Our Oceans for the Future Generation".

Sail Bunaken 2009 offers various marine activities, including Indonesian Fleet Review, Yacht Rally, Bunaken Expo & Festival, International Big Game Fishing "KASAL CUP", Diving Competition & Festival, International Seafood Festival, and Bunaken Trans Equatouring Celebes 2009.

Sail Bunaken 2009 is jointly organized by the Ministry of Marine and Fishery Affairs, Provincial Administration of North Sulawesi, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Navy Force of Indonesia, supported by the Directorate General of Immigration and other government institutions.

www.sailbunaken2009.com