VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance - INDEF Enny Sri Hartati, said Indonesia's economic growth in 2018 could exceed from the government's target of 5.4 percent. In a special interview with Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday 16/1, she explained, in 2017 the growth of neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines and Malaysia have improved. The improving condition of the external economy boosted optimism and showed a recovery in the global economy. According to her, Indonesia has the potential sources of extraordinary economic growth. Enny explained, seeing from the potential of resources and markets, Indonesia is much better than other countries in ASEAN. Nevertheless, there are still many challenges such as slowing household consumption and limited realization of investment figures.

"The homework in 2018 is how the government doing recovery of public purchasing power immediately. Secondly, how to realize the commitment of investors to invest in the real sector. The investment in the real sector is the key, because if we only stay in a portfolio like in 2017, there have no significant contribution to economic growth," Enny said.

Enny Hartati further explained, the effectiveness of government spending also gives a significant impact for the economic growth. The government has a budget of more than 2,000 trillion rupiah. According to him, the procurement of goods amounting to 400 trillion, can be used to absorb domestic products that can promote the Indonesian industry. In addition, the village funds can also be used to improve rural products. Therefore, rural products can meet domestic demand even for export// (Sekar/trs.Rezha)

Indonesia as a country with population of internet users of over 100 million, becomes an opportunity for e-commerce business developers. This is proven, because in the last three years the growth of electronic commerce showed a positive trend. Head of Business Development of Ralali.com, Meiriana told reporters in Badung, Bali Province, on Tuesday (16/1) said the e-commerce business tendency has always increased since 2015. In 2017, electronic trade growth reached 700% or 7 folds over the previous year.

"Well, from the 7 fold growth, in 2018 we only estimate the increase is 2 fold. It is 200 percent, and that figure has reached trillions. This is our estimation per year, in 2018," Meiriana said.

The growth is estimated across all lines, from the sellers, active account holders, to the traffic. So far, the annual traffic reaches 5 million visits. Meiriana further said, the growth is evenly distributed throughout the territory of Indonesia. Not limited to Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi) area, the e-commerce transactions have also reached to other regions such as Bali, Sumatra, and Kalimantan// (Hikmat/trs.Rezha)

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla expressed high hope to the new House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo. Jusuf Kalla, a senior politician of the Golkar Party, hoped that the House of Representatives under Bambang Soesatyo can increase the public's trust, especially on corruption eradication commitments. In addition, Bambang Soesatyo is also expected to maximize the productivity of DPR's performance, especially in producing regulations or laws. This was said by the Vice President Jusuf Kalla to reporters at the Vice President's Office, Jakarta, on Tuesday (16/1).

“It is hoped that he can manage and increase public’s trust to the House of Representatives. Secondly to make efficiency of the budget, making the DPR really more productive,” Vice President said.

Golkar politician Bambang Soesatyo officially serves as the new House Speaker. He was inaugurated by the Supreme Court Chancellor Hatta Ali in the plenary session of the House of Representatives on Monday, January 15, 2018. In his first speech as the Speaker of the House, Bambang Soesatyo highlighted several issues such as corruption// (Rizki)

Bambang Soesatyo was officially inaugurated as new Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives–DPR RI on Monday, January 15 at Parliamentary building in Jakarta on Tuesday,replacing Setya Novanto.  In response to this, Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly, Zulkifli Hasan told the press  on Tuesday (16/1) that the new Speaker must be able to work optimally to support and realize the welfare of Indonesian people.

“Firstly, I would like to congartulate Bambang Soesatyo who has been inaugurated  asthe speaker of the House, although he will serve less than 2 years. I hoped, with the leadership of the new chairman, the House’s performance will improve, so the parliament can be a representativeto realize the people’s aspiration,” said Zulkifli Hasan.

Moreover Zulkifli Hasan hoped that the new House speaker Bambang Soesatyo is able tolead members of the House well and provide significant input for Indonesian government for the sake of the improvement of Indonesian nations//AF.VOI