VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo took the initiative to inflame the spirit of Asian Games VXIII 2018 by wearing an Asian Games themed jacket while receiving a visit of representatives of the Organization of Intra Senior High School students with achievements at Bogor Palace, West Java, on Thursday (4/5) ). At the back of the jacket there is an illustration of some sports that will be contested. Above the illustration, it is read 'Asian Games' in big white letters. There is an ornament with Asian Games XVIII logo covering the front part of the jacket. At the right arm of the jacket, it is read 'Indonesia'. Jokowi explained that he was wearing the jacket to promote the 2018 Asian Games. The President, accompanied by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno and Education Minister Muhadjir Effendi, said, this is a joint obligation to promote the Asian Games, so that all the people should have a sense of belonging towards this great event. The jacket worn by Jokowi is designed by a local manufacturer of “Never too Lavish” brand. It also designed another Jokowi’s jacket worn when riding a motorcycle to Sukabumi, West Java, early last month. Jokowi invites the whole community to jointly promote the Asian Games. The head of state also appealed to the Minister of the Working Cabinet to follow in his footsteps to promote the Asian Games. On that occasion the President also gave quizzes to the student representatives with bike prizes. Meanwhile, Minister of Youth and Sports-Menpora Imam Nahrawi said, he was impressed to see the Asian Games Jacket worn by President Joko Widodo. Imam Nahrawi admitted that he first saw the jacket then and said it is an innovation of President Jokowi. The action needs to be followed by ministers to heads of regions to promote the Asian Games. The 2018 Asian Games will be held in Jakarta and Palembang from 18 August. Jokowi has requested in a limited cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace Jakarta that the promotion of Asian Games is encouraged . 

To increase national investment, President Joko Widodo asked all cabinet officials to expand the export market to non-traditional countries. The request was affirmed by President Joko Widodo in a limited meeting on the topic ‘Enhancing cooperation between Indonesia and South Pacific Region countries’ at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on Friday (4/5). President Joko Widodo wants Indonesia to strengthen its trade relations with countries in the South Pacific Ocean region. This is one of the efforts to open the export market of Indonesian products. He views that Indonesia is in a very strategic position. This should be able to be utilized to improve diplomatic and economic relations with other countries, especially those close to Indonesia. The President also reminded that Indonesia lies at a very strategic location between two continents and two oceans, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. This condition should shape the direction of Indonesia's foreign policy and economy and be used for the national interest. Especially for countries in the Indian Ocean region, President Joko Widodo has formed a cooperation forum called ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association’ -IORA. But for the Pacific Ocean region, especially the South Pacific, there needs to be initiation to improve cooperation in the region. He is convinced that countries in the South Pacific region such as Nauru, Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Island, Samoa, and Tonga are open to cooperating with Indonesia in various fields, such as inter-community, culture, education of scholarship assistance, investment and trade. The leading products of Indonesian manufacturing industry which are ready to be offered include fishery products and services. Trade relations with Western Pacific countries could be the acceleration corridor of eastern Indonesia. The key is to strengthen connectivity, both cultural and economic connectivity. In addition, there must be smooth connectivity of Indonesia's transport system with countries in the South Pacific Region.

President Joko Widodo wants Muslim fashion to dominate the world market, remembering the current economic value reaches Rp54 trillion. When receiving 28 Muslim Fashion Community at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java on  last Thursday (26/4), President Joko Widodo wants the sales value of Indonesian Muslim fashion to be increased, especially for overseas markets. President Joko Widodo also said that to make this come true, he has asked the related ministers to provide a forum in a bid to introduce Indonesian Muslim fashion in other countries. He also affirmed that there is  a great opportunity for Indonesian Moslem fashion to dominate the world market. Besides, Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. But there must be good cooperation among designers, Moslem fashion entrepreneurs, and the government. President also remarked that to support the development of the Muslim fashion industry, the government plans to provide more funds for this industry. He hopes that in the near future, there will be talks between the government and Muslim fashion businesspeople in a bid to open the domestic market and export. The President believes cooperation between the government and Muslim fashion can encourage Muslims to enter the world market. Meanwhile, National Chairman of Indonesian Fashion Chamber (IFC), Ali Charisma, who is also a fashion designer, said that Indonesia has great potential to dominate the world’s Muslim fashion market. However, to encourage the expansion of Muslim clothing market markets abroad, the government also needs to provide better-quality raw materials. After meeting President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java on last Thursday (26/4), Ali Charisma also remarked that what is needed is the adjustment of Indonesian products to the world’s standards, including the stylishness. He perceived that the export of Indonesian Muslim fashion products will adapt to the stylishness of local communities and the season in every country. The expansion of Indonesian Muslim fashion market share is also inseparable from government support. Secretary General of the National Craft Council, Euis Saedah also expressed the same statement. He said that the growth of Muslim fashion in Indonesia increases every year. He also explained that the average growth of the fashion industry reaches more than 10 percent per year. One indicator is the growing number of Muslim fashion industry players who market their products through various exhibitions.

Handicraft products of Indonesian people successfully performed at the international exhibition of Salone del Mobile Milano 2018 in Italy. Director General of Small and Medium Industry Gati Wibawaningsih said in Jakarta on Sunday (22/4) that the handicraft products are from Bali Creative Industry Center -BCIC, one of the innovation centers under the Directorate General of Small and Medium Industry, the Ministry of Industry. Since 2015, BCIC became a gathering place for entrepreneurs and creative incubators in the fields of fashion, craft, and animation. Gati Wibawaningsih explained, through BCIC, the Ministry focuses on encouraging the creation of new industry entrepreneurs and increase additional value of local products in order to compete in the global market. The programs are among others Design Lab, Creative Camp, Creative Business Incubator, Indonesian Fashion and Craft Award, training, and exhibition. The international design and furniture exhibition of Salone del Mobile Milano 2018 was held from April 17 to 22. There were 2,000 participants from various countries around the world presented contemporary products innovation that combined elements of design, technology, flexibility, and sustainability. In the exhibition, Indonesia has one pavilion called "IDentities", located at Hall 14 stand F30. The Indonesian pavilion performed the work of 27 Indonesian designers. Gati Wibawaningsih also said, that actually many Indonesian handicraft products are worthy to be displayed in the international design, because of high quality and high competitiveness. Two excellent products of Bali Creative Industry Center representing Indonesia, namely "Cengkeh" lamp products by Genie Anggita, inspired from the heyday of Indonesian spices in the International trade in the past. The products are produced in collaboration with the craftsmen at Sentra Tembaga Tumang, Boyolali, Central Java. Genie Anggita said her office was trying to introduce Indonesian wealth in their products, using local materials, such as rattan and bamboo, done by local craftsmen. She added that there are also introduced the values of culture, history, and Indonesian folklore through her handicraft products. The next product is Taratan, a rattan lamp designed by Ilhamia Nuantika in collaboration with rattan craftsmen from East Java. Taratan is inspired by the Madurese cultural philosophy and uses the character of rattan to play the light impression.