Jakarta Expo and Asian Youth Games Indonesia–Bahrain Partnership in Spotlight

The Ambassador of Indonesia to Bahrain, H.E. Ardi Hermawan, extended a warm invitation to Bahraini partners to take part in the 40th Trade Expo Indonesia, which will be held in Jakarta from October 15 to 19. He expressed hope that the event would further expand trade and investment opportunities between the two nations, building on the remarkable 113% surge in bilateral trade recorded last year.

The ambassador’s remarks came during a diplomatic reception commemorating the 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence, attended by Minister of Tourism H.E. Fatima bint Jaffer Al Sairafi, members of the Shura Council, and representatives of Bahrain’s Parliament.

Shifting from commerce to education, Ambassador Hermawan celebrated a milestone achievement: the graduation of an Indonesian student from the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, who successfully completed a postgraduate diploma in Peaceful Coexistence last December. He noted that such academic exchanges stand as a testament to the growing bonds of understanding and collaboration between both nations.

Looking to the future, the ambassador turned attention to sports and youth engagement. Indonesia will proudly compete in 20 sporting disciplines at the 3rd Asian Youth Games, set to take place in Bahrain next month. In a special highlight, Bahraini audiences will also witness demonstrations of Pencak Silat, Indonesia’s treasured martial art that intertwines elements of self-defense, artistry, and spirituality.

Thanks to the gracious approval of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Pencak Silat will be featured in the Games’ program—an inclusion that further underscores Bahrain’s support for cultural diversity. Recognized by UNESCO in 2019 as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the martial art is practiced across 38 countries and continues to grow in global prominence.

From trade fairs in Jakarta to martial arts on Bahraini soil, Ambassador Hermawan’s address reflected a vision of Indonesia–Bahrain ties that extend well beyond economics—embracing education, culture, and people-to-people connections that continue to flourish.