Below is the press statement that was released ahead of New Zealand Education Fair which took place in Jakarta on Saturday 25 February 2012.

Jakarta, INDONESIA: Ahead of a major New Zealand education fair in Jakarta on Saturday 25 February, H.E. David Taylor, Ambassador of New Zealand to Indonesia, said: “Our message is simple: New Zealand offers world class educational facilities at reasonable cost, high-quality qualifications that are recognised and transferable, and in an environment that is safe, secure and friendly”.

Background

The New Zealand-ASEAN Scholars Awards seek to make a substantial contribution to ASEAN’s development by providing opportunities for postgraduate study (i.e. Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s degree and doctorate/PhD) in New Zealand.

The New Zealand-ASEAN Scholars Awards (NZ-AS) are part of the New Zealand’s official development assistance to the ASEAN region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), through the New Zealand Aid Programme, delivers this scholarships scheme.

Today Indonesia enters the ASEAN/Australia and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).

The agreement, which was signed in February 2009, significantly opens the markets of ASEAN countries to New Zealand and Australian goods and services, and vice versa. There are many opportunities for Indonesian business to now sell their products in the New Zealand market.

“Climate Change Adaptation and Small islands in Eastern Indonesia” was the title of a forum held recently in Lombok, Indonesia to discuss issues relating to climate change.  The forum attracted around 80 people from Indonesia’s central and local governments, donor communities, as well as local and international non-government organisations (NGO’s) from across the country.  Staff of the New Zealand Aid Programme (NZAP) in Indonesia attended the forum given the NZAP's focus on eastern Indonesia.