VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The government of Indonesia wants trade partner countries, especially the United States of America to carry out free and fair trade. The statement is related to President Donald Trump's move to impose high import tariffs on steel and aluminum products. Minister of Trade, Enggartiasto Lukita was quoted as saying on Friday that President Trump's move does not directly have a major impact on Indonesia as Indonesia's exports of steel and aluminum to the US are relatively small. But, Indonesia asks all countries to carry out free and fair trade. Minister Enggartisto affirmed that trade war will only be annoying and disadvantageous. President Donald Trump said that he would impose a 25-percent tariff on steel imports and 10 percent for aluminum products. The decision was made under the guise of protecting domestic products in the United States. President Trump's decision was viewed badly by his key economic adviser, Gary Cohn since the beginning of the administration. Gary Cohn resigned from his post after President Trump decided to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. (Ant-Mar/edit r/Trans by Rhm)

President Joko Widodo inaugurated the first integrated industrial zone in Indonesia, Java Integrated Industrial Port and Estate -JIIPE in Gresik, East Java on Friday (9/3). In his speech, President Joko Widodo expects more and more of this kind of industrial estate to be built in Indonesia. In addition to attracting investment industrial estates, it also opens new employment. President Joko Widodo said that he is happy with the existence of Java Integrated Industrial Port and Estate, because the area has very complete facilities, such as a seaport, industrial area and power plant. President Joko Widodo is also happy, because the Java Integrated Industrial Port and Estate industrial area is not only done by the private sector, but also the State Owned Enterprise (BUMN), Pelindo III. Pelindo III Port has an investment of 60 percent, while state-owned companies have invested 40 percent of industrial estates. (Ant/Mar/edit r/Trans by Rhm)

The Indian-Indonesian relationship stretches back to almost two millennia. Between the 13^th to 15^th century, Indonesia had begun to absorb culinary influences from India and the Middle East. In regard to this, Embassy of India in Jakarta along with a hotel in Jakarta will be jointly organizing an Indian Food Festival titled “Flavors of India” from 12 to 23 of March, 2018.  During the two week periods, the Indian Food Festival “Flavors of India will showcase some of the choicest and best of Indian cuisines to Indonesian food connoisseurs. Deputy Chief of Mission of Indian Embassy in Jakarta Prakash Gupta said that the food festival is one of ways to win the hearts of Indonesians.

“We are doing this because we genuinely believe that Indian food is perhaps the best way to reach Indonesian hearts. We do believe that the best of Indian food can certainly touch the most wide variety of Indonesian hearts,” Prakash Gupta said to the media Friday (09/03) in Jakarta.

Given the shared civilization history of Indonesia and India including the famous “Spice Routes”, it is expected that the Food Festival will further strengthen the aromatic and culinary bonding between the two countries.

Indian Food Festival “Flavors of India” featuring guest chef Nandan Singh Dhami from Mumbai, is scheduled to be inaugurated by Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Shri Pradeep Kumar Rawat and distinguished guests with Indian Cultural entertainment on Monday March 12, 2018. (VOI/AHM)

Trade cooperation between Indonesia and Pakistan is expected to continue to grow and benefit the two countries. Both countries continue to form a joint commission to enhance cooperation that strengthens Islamabad and Jakarta. This was disclosed by Pakistani Ambassador to Indonesia Mohammed Aqil Nadeem to RRI World Service-Voice of Indonesia at the Embassy of Pakistan on Thursday afternoon (8/3).

“We are also hoping that this year joint commission between Pakistan and Indonesia would become appraisal. Foreign minister of Indonesia would be able to visit Pakistan to inaugurate commission. We would see more and more bilateral engagement between Pakistan and Indonesia, and it would be a major trading partner,” said Mohammed Aqil Nadeem.

Mohammed Aqil Nadeem explained Prime Minister of Pakistan will visit Indonesia at the the latest by 2019 to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as politics, economy, culture and trade. (VOI/AHMAD FAISAL/AHM)