Russia is set to open a new Consulate General in Denpasar, Bali, as per the directive from Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, apparently over the increasing number of Russians visiting Indonesia’s Island of Gods.
“Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin has signed a Government Regulation on the opening of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Denpasar,” the Russian Embassy in Jakarta says via its social media account as quoted on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
The post included a document dated July 18, 2024 from the Russian government, detailing PM Mishustin’s order regarding the new consulate.
“The Consulate General of the Russian Federation will be opened in the city of Denpasar (Republic of Indonesia),” stated the document released by the Russian government, as reported by RIA Novosti.
The document further explained that the Russian Foreign Ministry would determine the staffing levels for the Consulate General in Denpasar in accordance with the standards for overseas employees at the Russian Foreign Ministry and would approve the staffing schedule.
It also noted that the opening and maintenance of the Consulate General would be funded by the budget allocated to the Russian Foreign Ministry from the federal budget and based on the relevant planning period.
RIA Novosti reported that the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Sergey Tolchenov, mentioned that after the arrival of the Consul General and the staff in Bali, it would take some time for the consulate to officially open and become fully operational, potentially taking several years.
This announcement comes a few months after the viral appearance of “New Moscow” on the map of Canggu, Bali, in May 2024. The influx of Russian tourists in recent years has been significant, with many opting to stay longer, purchase property, or start businesses in the area, leading to a rapidly increasing Russian population in Canggu.
Quoting the New York Post, on Friday, May 10, 2024, even before the war, Bali was a tourist destination for many Russians and Ukrainians. The island has promoted itself as a work location for so-called digital nomads. As of September 2022, more than 14,500 Russians and more than 3,000 Ukrainians have entered Bali, according to Indonesian immigration data. Most Russian tourists or residents in Bali are young or of productive age.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, responded positively, viewing the emergence of “New Moscow” as an opportunity for Bali, particularly Canggu. He believes that tourists will engage in activities and invest in Bali.
Nia Niscaya, an expert from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, explained during “The Weekly Brief with Sandi Uno” held on Monday, July 22, 2024, that consulates typically handle people-to-people relations and business or economic matters.
“The presence of the Consulate General will facilitate communication with the embassy, as they focus more on their citizens and businesses in the host country,” Nia said.
