VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The signing of Memorandum of Understanding -MoU on the sister- city cooperation carried out by Mahor of Semarang, Hendrar Prihadi and Mayor of Nanjing, Lan Shaomin was held in Nanjing, China, recently. The interest in establishing the sister-city cooperation has rooted in the great historical relation between Semarang and Nanjing cities. The historical tie is reflected by the presence of historical Chinese remaining in Semarang called Sam Poo Kong built by Admiral Cheng Ho. Mayor Hendrar believes that tourism sector is an eligible and promising sector in this millennial era. Previously, the Semarang and Nanjing Governments have implemented a number of stages to establish the cooperation until the signing of the MoU. It was begun by the visit of Nanjing City Government to Semarang on 15^th of July 2016. On the occasion, a signing of Letter of Intent was also carried out by the two parties highlighting their serious commitment to establish a sister-city cooperation which also marks the tourism cooperation. In the national level, tourism sector is the second biggest foreign exchange reserves contributor even higher than the contribution of oil and gas products. With the tourism development, Semarang won the 4^th best tourism city in Indonesia at the 2018 Yokatta Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Award.

Indonesia successfully records transaction worth Rp 126.77 trillion at the 2018 TEI. It was stated by Minister of Trade, Enggartiasto Lukita in the closing ceremony of the 2018 TEI held at the International Convention Exhibition Center, BSD City, Tangerang, Banten on Sunday (28/10). The value achieved rose 5 times bigger than the previous target set by the government. The transaction is still going on and the amount will inevitably rise significantly. Minister Enggartiasto explained that the total transaction value of the 2018 TEI comprises investment transaction namely US$ 5.55 billion dollars, tourism transaction reaching US$170.5 million dollars, and product transaction totaling US$ 2.73 billion dollars. Meanwhile, other countries with the highest transaction achievement include Saudi Arabia, Japan, the UK, Egypt, and the USA. The Indonesia’s achievement at the 2018 TEI proves that the quality of domestic products has been more acknowledged extensively and more favored according to the taste of export market. It is in accordance the theme of the 2018 namely “Creating Products for Global Opportunities.”

Minister of Public Works and Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono received the visit of the European Union –EU delegates led by EU commissioner for the Environmental, Maritime, and Fishery Affairs, Karmenu Vella at the Public Works and Housing Ministry Office in Jakarta on Friday (26/10). The meeting discussed the management of waste, particularly regarding the recycling of garbage that can be processed as reusable products. Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said in the meeting that the representatives of the EU brought two technologies that can be utilized to process garbage. The two technologies comprise plastic waste recycling and the waste of buildings’ wreckages. The offer of the cooperation received positive response by Minister Basuki as Indonesia is attempting to reduce the amount of garbage through the establishment of waste management infrastructures and calling for society’s participation in the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) program. Meanwhile, EU Commissioner for the Environmental, Maritime, and Fishery Affairs, Karmenu Vella said that a working group between Indonesia and the EU has been formed. The EU will also call for Indonesia to discuss the concrete actions in managing waste.