Indonesia–Suriname relations

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Indonesia–Suriname relations

Indonesia

Suriname

Indonesia–Suriname relations refers to the bilateral relations of Republic of Indonesia and Suriname. Indonesia and Suriname had a special relationship,[1] based upon shared common history as former colonies of the Dutch Empire. Large numbers of Javanese migrated to Suriname to work on plantations during the late 19th and early 20th-centuries. Indonesia has an embassy in Paramaribo also accredited to Republic of Guyana, while Suriname has an embassy in Jakarta. Both nations committed to expand and improve their relations covering trade, agriculture and cultural sectors. Indonesia and Suriname are partners in multilateral organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation.

History

The historical links between Indonesia and Suriname dating back to the migration of Indonesians (especially Javanese) to Suriname in 1890. During colonial Dutch East Indies in 19th-century, to fulfill labor need in its other colonies, the Dutch began to sent large numbers of Javanese to work in Suriname. Most of them works in plantation and agriculture sectors. Today, there is around 70,000 citizen or 15 percent of Suriname's demographic have Javanese descent,[1] and some of its officials, such as cabinet ministers are Javanese. The bilateral diplomatic relations officially established in 1976.

Economy and trade

Indonesia sees Suriname as a strategic partner in the region, as its gate and trade hub to enter Latin America market. The volume of bilateral trade in 2012, reached US$ 8.9 million in favour to Indonesia. In 2012 Indonesia’s exports to Suriname was $7.1 million while imports was $1.8 million, resulting in $5.3 million surplus in trade balances for Indonesia.[1] Indonesia sells textile, furniture, clothes, household equipments, plastic equipments, shoes, cooking ingredients and musical instruments to Suriname.[2]

Culture

Indonesian's Yogyakarta and Suriname’s Commewijne, signed sister cities agreement in 4 April 2011. The common Javanese culture among Javanese Indonesian and Javanese Surinamese also bridges the common cultural and historical links between two countries.

See also

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Indonesia, Suriname set for stronger cooperation". The Jakarta Post. Tue, March 19, 2013, 9:33 AM. Retrieved 10 June 2013. 
  2. Heru (Mon, March 18, 2013 18:27). "Indonesia, Suriname set for stronger cooperation". Antara News. Retrieved 10 June 2013. 

External links

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