Alistair Speirs
Localising Sustainable Development Goals: MVB at UNDP Symposium
MVB Chairman Alistair Speirs was recently invited to Siam Reap, Cambodia to be part of a major UNDP-China-ASEAN Symposium on Localising Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). The objective of the conference was to strengthen the capacities of local governments and other key stakeholders, to increase community engagement and accelerate the implementation of SDG’s at a local
Orchestral Dining at Lyon
NOW! Jakarta was thrilled to co-host with Victorian State Government of Australia and Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, a dinner concept of outstanding quality, featuring the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Victorian State Government of Australia and Mandarin Oriental Jakarta organised a outstanding dinner, featuring the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Photo by Raditya Fadilla/NOW!JAKARTA The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is an
The Fascinating History and Mystery of Coffee in Java
Have you ever stopped to wonder why Java became the home of some of the best coffees in the world? To find out we have to go back to the time of the Dutch Colonial administration to get to the original reason. Kawisari is named after the name of the local village, and covers about
Switzerland Initiates New Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia
Despite having a serious presence in both the consumer market through its very high profile brands like Nestlé and Rolex, and its B to B business in construction, banking & insurance Switzerland held off forming its own Chamber of Commerce until this year. NOW! Jakarta’ interviewed Executive Director, Alexander Lumbantobing to find out why and what
The Philosophy of Success
As we approach the end of the year it comes time to think about what we have achieved, what could we have done better, what perhaps we should not have done, and what we can do to improve not only our lives but those around us. The Asian Games brought home to us the meaning
Culture, Food and City Hopping: Nigel Mason’s Travels
Nigel Mason, Managing Director of Mason Adventures enjoys seeking out unique cultural experiences on his travels. Alistair Speirs spoke to him about some of his memorable trips. Nigel Mason in 1954 (left) and he is at the same place in Paris in 2017 (right). Nigel Mason's Files/NOW!JAKARTA You seem to have started traveling a lot.
Finnish Trade Delegation visits Indonesia
Finland sent a major trade delegation to Indonesia in October with some world leading companies in tow. The leader of the delegation was Ms. Anne-Mari Virolainen, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development. Here’s what she had to say about the delegation. Ms. Anne-Mari Virolainen, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development of Finlad visited
Peace and Goodwill to All
There is a very patriotic song sung by the British at the end of the fantastic classical music festival called “The Proms”. Writen by Arthur Benson with very stirring music by Edward Elgar, it goes like this: Land of hope and glory, mother of the free How shall we extol thee, who are born of
Ten Years of NOW! Jakarta, a New Year for Jakarta City
There is a very funny and kind of inexplicable psychology about “The New Year”. What makes the 1st of January any different to the 31st December? Or any other day? NOW!JAKARTA publisher, Alistair Speirs. Photo by Raditya Fadilla/NOW!JAKARTA They are just days, my pet dogs don’t know the difference, to some extent the poorer end of society
