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March
Indonesia is targeting exports to Taiwan to grow by 7.8 percent in 2018. Director General of National Export Development (PEN) Arlinda in the Indonesia-Taiwan Business Forum in Taiwan on Friday (23/3/2018) said that Indonesia and Taiwan have very large potential to enhance trade cooperation. She is optimistic to achieve the target, as Indonesia and Taiwan recorded positive economic growth. According to Arlinda, Indonesia's total exports to Taiwan reached 1.89 percent of Taiwan's total imports. Meanwhile, Taiwan's total exports to Indonesia last year amounted to 2 percent of Indonesia's total imports worldwide. The main export products from Indonesia to Taiwan are coal, bituminous coal, tin, plywood, coffee, copper waste, and scrap. Meanwhile, five main products imported from Taiwan to Indonesia are woven and knitted fabric, generating set, other of electronic integrated circuits, and spare parts for electronic integrated circuits and micro-assemblies.Arlinda said coffee is one of Indonesia's potential export commodities especially to Taiwan. Indonesia is the fourth largest coffee producer in the world and ranked seventh as the world's largest coffee exporter. Arlinda said Indonesia's coffee exports last year increased by 17.71 percent compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, coffee export from Indonesia to Taiwan reached 2.89 million US dollars.To strengthen trade relations between Indonesia and Taiwan, since 2016 a Working Group on Trade meeting has been held within the framework of the Joint Committee of Trade and Investment (JCTI) . It is a bilateral meeting forum to discuss trade and investment increase between the two parties. The next JCTI meeting will be held in Bali on March 27, 2018.During the business forum, Arlinda invited Taiwanesebusinessmen to attend the 33rd Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI)which will be held from 24-28 October 2018 at IndonesiaConvention Exhibition (ICE) BSD City, Tangerang, Banten.Trade Expo Indonesia 2018 is targeted to be attended by more than 28,000 International buyers and followed by 1,110 participants. After the business forum she expects there will be more buyers from Taiwan.Meanwhile, Chief of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Taiwan Robert James Bintaryo, said, during the last three years Taiwan's coffee imports from Indonesia have increased. The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Taiwan regularly invites Taiwanese businessmen to visit several locations listed as the best coffee producers in Indonesia such as East Java and Aceh. But until now Indonesia's coffee imports in Taiwan still occupy the third position. So Indonesia should try to continue to increase the number of sales and export of coffee to Taiwan.
March
During the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2018 that took place in Sydney, Australia, Indonesia and Australia signed a maritime cooperation agreement on Friday (16/3). The agreement contains in the Plan of Action on Maritime Cooperation which was signed after the 2 + 2 meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Defense Minister of both countries. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop witnessed the signing of the cooperation undertaken by the Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Desra Percaya and Deputy Secretary of the Indo-Pacific Group of Foreign Affairs Ministry, Richard Maude. Maritime security in the Asia Pacific region is very important, because the world economy is currently still dependent on maritime routes, both as trade routes and lines of communication. This was stated by Indonesian Minister Defense, Ryamizard Ryacudu and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi during a bilateral dialogue 2 + 2 Minister Meeting with Minister of Defense of Australia, Marise Payne and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. According to Minister Ryamizard, International Trade which is increasingly growing still relies on the marine domain so that the issue of maritime security guarantee becomes a very crucial thing. He acknowledges that to maintain maritime security, Indonesia cooperates not only with Australia but also with various neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand with cooperation in coordinated patrol (Corpat). Concrete evidence of such cooperation is that the crime rate in these waters drops dramatically even to zero incidents. The recent piracy action in the Sulu Sea, which has also directly impeded the economy and caused unrest for the users of the track has gradually been overcome by Indonesia along with the Philippines and Malaysia. The three countries have taken concrete cooperation measures through the trilateral cooperation platform in the Sulu Sea. Minister Ryamizard said that the dynamics of maritime security cannot be separated from the development of radical / terrorist groups affiliated with ISIS, so that Indonesia holds trilateral cooperation not only solely facing piracy or crime in the ocean, but also related steps to deal with terrorist / radical group. Thus, the signing between Indonesia and Australia is believed to be more in line with the concepts of cooperation of countries in the region that is currently reviewed and perfected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister Ryamizard considers cooperation with Australia as a step towards ensuring stability of security throughout the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean and ensuring that the maritime sector is surrounded with peace, stability and prosperity. Meanwhile, in a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the sidelines of the 2018 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit at the International Convention Center, Sydney, on Saturday (17/3), Indonesian President Joko Widodo hopes that the signed maritime cooperation action plan can be implemented immediately. Both Foreign Ministers have also exchanged ideas on the concept of Indo-Pacific region architecture. He also hopes that the consultation on Indo-Pacific will continue for the sake of stability, peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
March
The Clean Trash inThree Months Movement (TBBS) was launched by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry-KLHK together with Palembang City Government, on 21 January 2018. The implementation of theMovement is until 21 April 2018, however, this massive garbage clean movement will not stop after the date.Director General of Waste Management, Waste and Hazardous Hazardous Materials, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Rossa Vivien Ratnawati to RRI, in Palembang on Monday (12/3/2018) said TBBS agenda should be the trigger to spur awareness to always apply the three Rs lifestyle namely, reduce, reuse and recycle waste.According to Vivien, the activity is intended to invite the people of Palembang more concerned about waste management, as well as preparation and dissemination of “Less waste more games”campaign during the upcoming Asian Games. To date, approximately 1,500 TBBS activities in 20 Provinces have been conducted, involving more than 2 million people. The activity succeeded in collecting more than one million tons of processed waste, consisting of organic, and inorganic waste. While the residue sent to the Final Disposal was only less than 600 tons. This indicates that the waste management initiative which is a collaboration between community and local government has been well implemented and needs to be appreciated. In addition, Vivien adds, there will also be fostering waste management campaign to Boy Scouts. Meanwhile, ad interim Palembang Mayor, H. Akhmad Najib, stated that Palembang City is improving to host the 2018 Asian Games, and supporting the achievement of clean Indonesia 2020 garbage. Akhmad Najib revealed that the clean of garbage action in Palembang was also enlivened by some entertainers who are concerned with environmental issues along with seven Waste Patrol ambassadors. In addition, there was a dialogue with a number of communities, as a means of sharing the realization of "Palembang Clean from Waste”. Along with the dialogue, a waste management training was also conducted to 100 members of Scout Saka Wanabakti, by LHK Expert Staff for Youth Generation Development, in the hope that Scouts can become agents of environmental change, especially waste management.Similar activities with the concept of "less waste event" have been held in Semarang, and will still take place in several cities, such as Makassar, Ambon, Yogyakarta, Jayapura and Banjarmasin, until 15 April.
March
US President Donald Trump announced last week that he would implement a 25 percent import tariff policy for steel and 10 percent for aluminum to US trading partner countries. The policy is Trump's attempt to protect the domestic industry of the United States.In response, Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla said in Jakarta Thursday (8/3) as reported by Republika that so far, Indonesia has not been affected by the tariff policy of steel and aluminum. However, if the import tariff policy is extended to other sectors, Indonesia will react. VP Jusuf Kalla said that Indonesia has a bargaining power with the United States. So far, Indonesia has imported soybeans, maize, wheat and aircraft from America. He also asserted, if President Trump extends its import tariff policy to palm oil commodity, Indonesia will not hesitate to reduce the import of soybean and wheat from America. He views that the import tariff policy adopted by America is a challenge in global trade. Therefore, food self-sufficiency remains a top priority. He added that food security can be maintained, if productivity is improved. However, the increase in productivity must also pay attention to environmental aspects. So, how to improve productivity with technology and system is that to preserve the environment. Meanwhile, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said in Jakarta on Friday that Indonesia wants trade partner countries, especially the United States to apply a free and fair trade. He expressed this in relation to the US President step which will apply high import tariffs for steel and aluminum products. MInister Enggartiasto Lukita also disclosed that President Trump's step will not directly bring about a serious impact on Indonesia because Indonesia’s export of steel and aluminum to America is small. However, he asked any country, particularly the United States and Europe to conduct free and fair trade. Minister Enggratiasto percieved that basically, starting a trade war would be disruptive and detrimental. He added that so far, only tariff of steel and aluminum goods are set. However, if later it is also applied on other goods, Indonesia is ready to do the same policy. Take for example the palm oil trade with the European Union. If Indonesia’s palm oil is prevented from entering the EU countries, Indonesia will also take action related to the incoming products, sucha s wine.On the other hand, Indonesian Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati warned the potential trade war, if the United States government really imposes tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. She asserted that the world history shows that when there is a trade war, definitely there is bad impact on the world economy. MInister Sri Mulyani further said that all countries in the world are waiting for the certainty of the plan. Becasue, this has the potential to make countries that have established trade relations with the USA retaliate each other due to the tariff.
March
Indonesia's Manufacturing Index is the Highest Rate in 20 Months
Written by MaryatiThe national manufacturing industry showed an increasingly aggressive performance in expanding its business and employment. This achievement is supported by the government by creating a conducive investment climate and providing business facilities for businesspeople in Indonesia. This was stated by Minister of Industry, Airlangga Hartarto in his written statement on Friday (2/3). Minister Airlangga said the government had launched several packages of economic policy, deregulation policy, and debottlenecking accompanied with simplifying requirements and business licensing. Based on a report by Purchasing Manager Index released by Nikkei and Markit, Purchasing Manager Index of Indonesia's manufacturing rose from 49.9 in January to 51.4 in February 2018. The Purchasing Manager Index above 50 was again achieved, since previously in December 2017 and January 2018, it was below of neutral point. While the Purchasing Manager Index above 50 indicated that manufacturing is expansive. Moreover, the achievement of Indonesia's Purchasing Managers Index in February 2018 also showed the highest position in operational condition since June 2016 or 20 months ago. Minister Airlangga Hartarto further said, the rise in the Purchasing Managers Index showed confidence in the industrial sector. Moreover, it's supported by the significant increase of doing business, from 106th rank in 2015 to the 72th rank in 2017. The Ministry of Industry recorded that polls of some purchasing managers at Indonesian manufacturing firms conducted by Nikkei. The results showed that the industry is experiencing the addition of new workers because usually related to an increase in domestic demand. With the increase of production, the company is able to raise the payroll for the first time in 17 months. The employment growth rate is the second highest level recorded during the survey. Referring to the data from the Ministry of Industry, during the period of 2015-2017, the number of medium industrial enterprises has increased significantly, reaching more than 4,000 business units until the second quarter of 2017, compared to 2014 about 1,200 business units. The increase is targeted to continue in the next two years, reaching more than 8,000 business units by the end of 2019.Meanwhile, the number of workers absorbed by industry in the 2015-2017 period has increased, from 15.390.000 (fifteen million three hundred and nine thousand) people in 2014 to 16,570,000 (sixteen million five hundred seventy thousand) people until the second quarter of 2017. It was targeted to continue to grow until the end of 2019 up to 17.1 million (seventeen million one hundred thousand) employees to be absorbed by the national industry.
March
To increase investment, Ministry of Industry establishes task force
Written by Maryati
Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) establishes Task Force –Satgas of Acceleration of Business Implementation at industrial sector. The task force is established as a follow-up to the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 91/2017 on Acceleration of Business Implementation. Head of Industrial Research and Development Agency (BPPI) at the Ministry of Industry, Ngakan Timur Antara in his official statement in Jakarta on Friday (2/3) said that this task force will perform escort and acceleration to handle business permit for investment in industrial sector. He further explained that to increase investment in the industrial sector, the Ministry of Industry have several strategies to be carried out by optimizing the utilization of fiscal facilities such as tax holiday, tax allowance, and import duty exemption of capital goods or raw materials. In addition, the Ministry of Industry has proposed a breakthrough of new facilities for investment activities in the form of super deduction for research and development activities and vocation as well as reduction of value-added tax for labor-intensive industries that can employ more than 1,000 people. In addition to investment, the government's ongoing effort is to boost exports. Ngakan views that as an initial strategy to increase exports, the Ministry of Industry has identified 15 export-oriented priority industries by 2018, covering the palm oil processing industry and its derivatives, food and beverage industry, paper and paper industry, crumb rubber industry, tires, and rubber gloves, as well as wood and wooden goods industries. Besides, there are also textile and textile products, footwear, cosmetics, soap and cleaning industries, automobile industry, electrical cable industry, pipe industry and iron pipe line, agricultural machine tool industry, electronics industry, jewelry industry, and craft industry. He also affirmed that his side has encouraged the expansion of exports to non-traditional markets, such as countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe and regional organizations, Africa, Middle East and countries around the Indian Ocean with potential market to work with. Other strategies are through lobbying and negotiations within the framework of enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers to open ease of market penetration. Improved efforts are the facilitation of product promotion and business matching in new export destinations. Ngakan added, there are export financing facilities that need to be optimized in a bid to improve the competitiveness of the prices in export destination countries. Meanwhile, Minister of Industry, Airlangga Hartarto at Public Lecture at Syiah Kuala University (Unsyiah), Banda Aceh on last Sunday (25/2/2018) said that Indonesia's economic power is considered as one of the key players in encouraging global economic growth. Indonesia is able to contribute 2.5 percent to world growth. The achievements outperformed South Korea, Australia, Canada, England, Japan, Brazil and Russia. Based on the results of the World Economic Forum analysis, Asia was increasingly dominating world growth in 2017 and it is expected to be the same this year.
February
Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund -IMF, Christine Lagarde visited Indonesia on Monday (26/2). In a written statement in Jakarta on Monday, Christine Lagarde stated that her visit is aimed to discuss the latest world economic development and Indonesian economic projection. In addition, her arrival is also to discuss the annual meeting of International Monetary Fund and World Bank to be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, in October. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani after accompanying President Joko Widodo during a meeting with Christine Lagarde on Monday, said that the Indonesian government and Lagarde discussed various global economic situation from the growth to the digital economy. Christine Lagarde said that the world economic condition this year and next year will be relatively stable with the growth of about 3.9 percent. This will provide many opportunities for countries, to utilize the momentum of the world economy which currently is improved. However, the world economic growth, caused by the strengthening of the US economy, remains to be watched, as inflation will increase, so that it will have implications for the world economy as a whole. Related to the Indonesian economy, Christine Lagarde moreover said, that Indonesia's economic growth has the potential to grow larger than 5.3 percent this year, driven by consumption, export, and investment. The Indonesian Government and Christine Lagarde also discussed the trend of the digital economy in the world. Because, according to Sri Mulyani, digital economy will continue to affect the economy, so that each country must be ready with various risks arising from the digital economy. Minister Sri Mulyani added, the discussion also led to the problem of digital currency, namely how the payment system and how the financial system remains to be maintained in the midst of digital economic development. Currently, Bank Indonesia is reviewing the digital rupiah. President Joko Widodo mentioned to Lagarde about one of Indonesia's policies to prepare the digital economy through vocational education. The policy was highly praised by Lagarde. In his written statement, Christine Lagarde said, that Indonesia continues to prove its economic resilience. Lagarde asked President Joko Widodo and his ministers to maintain management and to strengthen policy.
February
Indonesia and Bulgaria enhance cooperation of renewable energy.
Written by MaryatiIndonesia and Bulgaria are exploring technology research and development cooperation to enhance electricity resources by utilizing renewable energy (EBT). Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Sri Astari Rasjid at the Renewable Innovation Forum in Jakarta on Thursday said that there is still a lot of potential that both countries can explore. They will develop technology of renewable energy. Bulgaria through International Power Supply -IPS will cooperate with PT LEN, Bandung Institute of Technology -ITB and the University of Defense to make a study on technology development.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of IPS, Alexander Rangelov said that the technology owned by his side would be easy to implement in Indonesia. He views that the Bulgarian technology is appropriate to be used in areas of solar panels that have air high humidity and in remote areas. Prior to the technological development phase, IPS with various educational institutions will conduct research that will be able to be developed in enhancing the need for electrical resources. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR), Ignatius Jonan on the same occasion emphasized that the main task of the government is to ensure that the energy produced is fair for all levels of society. In the meeting, Minister Jonan also opened the opportunity to cooperate with representatives of Bulgarian companies to develop renewable energy -EBT.
Bulgaria offers the development of renewable energy with solar-powered technology capable of being optimized in remote areas across Indonesia. Minister Ignatius Jonan also emphasized that his side keeps encouraging to develop renewable energy in Indonesia to meet the target of 23 percent of renewable energy by 2025. Thus, by 2025, the installed capacity of renewable energy generation in Indonesia can reach 45,000 megawatts (MW). Currently, the installed capacity is 7,500 MW.
Minister Ignatius Jonan further explained that in addition to being sufficient, renewable energy must be reached in price. Moreover, the people in general can have access to the renewable energy. One possibility is to apply off-grid electrification and renewable energy. He added that this mechanism allows that there is energy storage as well as automatic switching between the use of renewable energy and the conventional one. This technology can vary everyday use between renewable energy and conventional energy. This technology has been already used in 58 countries.
February
Vice President Confirms Preparation for the Asian Games Completed in June
Written by Maryati
Asian Games 2018 will start rolling on August 18 or about 200 days to go. The biggest sports activity after the Olympic Games will be held in 2 cities namely, Jakarta and Palembang. Related to that, Vice President Jusuf Kalla confirmed that the preparation for the 2018 Asian Games will be completed in June. This readiness covers all aspects, namely infrastructure, organization, as well as athletes achievement. After the coordination meeting at the Office of Organizing Committee of Asian Games 2018 (INASGOC) at Wisma Serbaguna, Senayan in Jakarta, Monday (19/2), Vice President Jusuf Kalla said a number of venues in Palembang, South Sumatra are also ready and there is no job obstacle. He revealed that preparation for the Asian Games is maturing after the Asian Games Invitation Tournament from 8 to 15 February. INASGOC found things that are already good and some of which need improvement. In addition, incoming sponsors have exceeded the original target.
After the funds from the State Budget of Revenue and Expenditure were planned to come in, the funds of the sponsor have entered.The tax is in accordance with the contract so there will be no concern in the finance. After those two things, VP Jusuf Kalla expects the target of Indonesia contingent achievement in Asian Games 2018 to enter the top 10 ranking in Asia can be fulfilled.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan is still reviewing school holidays and arranging working hours when organizing the Asian Games in August 2018 to achieve the target duration of athletes and official travel time from tgeir ccomodation to the venues, vice versa. According to the study by the Jakarta Government, school holidays during the 2018 Asian Games, should only for nine working days of the 14th day of Asia's highest multi-sport event. Anies said the Jakarta Government also has additional responsibilities related to the provision of a number of arena games such as the Asian Games BMX race arena, additional baseball field, and sports arena for the practice of basketball and volleyball. In addition, the Light Rail Transit LRT mass transit project is still under construction.
The LRT work is eight percent slower from the original schedule. Thus, Governor Anis Baswedan said he will add manpower and heavy equipment. So, the target work will be in accordance with the schedule without reducing the quality. The LRT project then can be completed and can reduce the level of congestion in Jakarta. Governor Anies addednthat Jakarta government will have a look the LRT trains in April and witness the installation of trains on the rail in May-June.
February
State-Owned Enterprise -PT Bio Farma continues to expand its business to foreign countries. President Director of PT Bio Farma, Rahman Rustan said that the company will develop a cooperation scheme with UNICEF and also regional cooperation. Rahman Rustan after holding a meeting with Finance and Industry Economic Team (Ekuin), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that brought six Ambassadors visited PT Bio Farma in Bandung Monday (19/2) explained, that PT Bio Farma will continue to coordinate with the Indonesian Embassies in the respective countries. Rahman also said, the assessment will be conducted with the Indonesian Embassy in Iran. Because, there are a lot of potential can be cooperated between Indonesia and Iran.Rahman Rustan moreover said, Bio Farma needs technology transfer from Iran. For production, the development of medicines in Indonesia should continue to be done. Rahman further explained although taking assistance from the Indonesian Ambassadors in some countries, Bio Farma remains badly need advice, discussion and support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Indonesian ambassadors, in achieving other potentials. In addition to supply vaccines, Bio Farma also want to explore the potential for cooperation of research or production which can be synergized with friendly countries. Rahman further said, if the company had previously cooperate through the UNICEF, he hoped the meeting with the team of Economy Finance and Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs can facilitate access for bilateral cooperation, with the existing assistances from the Indonesian Ambassadors.PT Bio Farma has 3 partners in Iran. While in Latin America the company has partners in Argentina, Brazil, and Cuba. Moreover, there are already cooperations with Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, for the shipping of semi-finished vaccines. During this time, the cooperation with the developing countries was conducted through the Unicef. But now there has been opened bilateral cooperation with Iran for Middle East region, and Mexico for Latin America region. Rahman said that the most potential to be explored is herbal products, considering the potential of biodiversity for herbal products in Indonesia is quite large. Currently the company is focusing on biotechnology products, so that for the cooperation of herbal products PT Bio Farma wants to invite three other State Owned Enterprises namely Indofarma, Kimia Farma, and Phapros.Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ambassador to Iran and Turkmenistan representing the Middle East Region, Octavino Alimudin said the embassy can receive information directly about the efforts that have been done Bio Farma. Octavino also remarked that the position of Indonesia as a producer of vaccine and serum is highly recognized by the world.PT Bio Farma, received the visit of four Ambassadors at Bio Farma Heritage Building. The four Ambassadors are the Indonesian Ambassador to Iran and Turkmenistan Octavino Alimudin representing the Middle East Region, Indonesian Ambassador to Romania representing Europe Amhar Azeth, Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia representing Southeast Asian Region Sudirman Haseng and Indonesian Ambassador to Peru representing Regional Latin America, Estella Anwar Bey.