Foreign Minister Retno Inaugurates Indonesia House Amsterdam: Europe's Largest And Most Complete Promotion Center

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at the inauguration of the Indonesian House. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Indonesian Embassy in The Hague)

"Indonesia House Amsterdam (IHA) is expected to be the face of Indonesia's modern and best," said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi when inaugurating the building which was used as a promotion center regarding Indonesia.

Located in Brachthuijzerstraat 4 Amsterdam, the Netherlands, this five-story building has functioned as the Consulate General Office of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) since 1967. This building was vacant for almost five decades after it closed in 1976.

The inauguration was carried out by Foreign Minister Retno together with the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mayerfas on Tuesday (17/9).

"Indonesia House Amsterdam must truly represent the face of Indonesia which is modern and the best. Don't check (the Javanese term which means the level-style)," said Foreign Minister Retno in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as quoted on September 20.

Foreign Minister Retno emphasized that the building would become a center for the promotion of the Indonesian economy and culture in the Netherlands.

"This house is a 'bridge' that connects Indonesia, the Netherlands and Europe," wrote Foreign Minister Retno on a blue marble inscription.

Meanwhile, the renovation of the building was carried by Ambassador Mayerfas, after the Indonesian government in 2020 decided to re-use the building.

The initiation of renovations was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was finally implemented starting July 2021 and finished at the end of 2022. The building began operating in early 2023.

He explained that IHA with a total area of more than 1,400 m2 is Indonesia's largest and most complete promotional center abroad. Each floor is intended as a promotional place that will provide benefits for the people of Indonesia and strengthen relations between the two countries.

Four years ago, this building was just an outdated and neglected pile of old bricks. Now we can see it come back to life and have a promising and fast-growing future," said Ambassador Mayerfas.

On the same occasion, the Director General of Culture and Media of the Netherlands, Barbera Wolfensberger, praised the inauguration of the Indonesian Amsterdam House, looking forward to various upcoming events at the building.

Since 2023, IHA has held various events, such as the Trade, Tourism and Investment Forum (TTI), the Indonesian-Netherlands Start-up Dialogue, the Ulos Batak Exhibition, the Sustainable Batik Clothing, and many more.

In the future, IHA will also proudly present several promotional events, including Indonesia Spice Week Amsterdam and The First Indonesia Medical Wellness Tourism Expo.

After the inauguration, Foreign Minister Retno also visited the Indonesian School of The Hague (SIDH) located in Wassenaar to greet students and teachers at the school. He was the first Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit the school.