Diaspora, a way to penetrate foreign markets

The opening ceremony of the 3rd Indonesian Diaspora Congress 2015

Jakarta. A country would advance as it develops science and technology and remains open to the world, while its citizens’ networks are getting even larger and able to gain more access to capital.   Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated this in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Indonesian Diaspora Congress held at JS Luwansa Hotel in Jakarta, today.

“Networking built by Indonesian diaspora would certainly benefit us all. Capitals gained from the networks would also advance the country,” the Vice President said.

He then highlighted the importance of Indonesian diaspora to penetrate foreign markets.

Opening an access to international markets, Mr Kalla added, would be Indonesian diaspora’s highest contentment since by this it could still play a role in supporting its homeland.

The Vice President said Indonesian people need that better access and this would be a way to prove their best skills.

Mr Kalla noted that on diaspora, China has the largest number. “Looking at the population number, we are the third largest in the world after China and India. In term of diaspora, we should have been the third largest number as well,” he said.

However, he continued, it is the Philippine that has more diaspora and remittance sent from abroad. Another competitor in diaspora, according to the Vice President, is Thailand. “There are more Thai than Indonesian restaurants overseas,” he said.

Government, he said, could not prevent people from leaving for other countries for better employment, salary or knowledge.

“We appreciate any of their interest. Yet, the most important thing is that those Indonesians abroad should keep contributing to the development of their country,” he said.

Mr Kalla also wished that the career of Indonesian diaspora would be equal to those from India who became CEO of Pepsi Cola, Google and other major world companies.

At the end of his speech, the Vice President hoped the congress be a place to share experience and best practices from Indonesian diaspora spread all over the world. “This country truly needs you, people with better skills, better knowledge, better access, yet remain loving their homeland,” he said.