VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said Italy and Indonesia had strong cooperation in interreligious dialogue. He called inter-religious dialogue between the two countries is still regularly held and make the relationship between the two countries really perfect. Angelino Alfano stated that Italy believes interfaith dialogue is one of the most effective ways to fight against radicalism and discrimination. He also added that Indonesia has the same views related to efforts to fight against radicalism and discrimination. In addition to combating radicalism and discrimination through interfaith dialogue, Indonesia and Italy have also continued to pursue peace at both regional and international levels. One of the issues of concern to both countries is the Palestinian issue. Both countries hope the existing problems in Palestine will be immediately settled with a good ending./// VOI 08.02.2018 Rezha

Vice Chairman of National Economic and Industrial Committee, Arif Budimanta appreciated the success of the government through Trade Ministry to protect inflation, especially on staple food. The success is in accordance with the hope of the House of representative –DPR which wants the number of the inflation is lower compared with other inflations. Because, the inflation of staple food directly brings about impact on people with middle to lower economic level. This was stated by Arif Budimanta at a public discussion  themed ‘Synergy of Trading Industry based on Commodity, Warehouse Receipt System, and Commodity Auction Market in the Era of Digital Trading in Encouraging National Economic Growth’   which was held in Jakarta on Wednesday (7/2).

“…We want to say and to appreciate because we at Committee of National Economy and Industry, the minister are very concerned with the inflation because the inflation does influence our community’s consumption. This influences our purchasing power. And  thanks God (Alhamdulillah), since led by Mr. Enggar, the inflation of staple food is lower compared to other inflations,.” said Arif Budimanta.

Furthermore, Arif Budimanta said that the success to protect the inflation of staple food is an extraordinary achievement and the result of the government policy’s instrument which is considered controversial in the market. The data showed that the policy instrument has succeeded in reducing the number of staple food inflation. He also reminded that in the future, there will be trend of rising food prices. The rising food prices are caused by some factors, such as rising production and global prices. On the same occasion, Minister of Trade, Enggartiasto Lukita said, the success of keeping inflation in 2017, positive economic growth, and increased ease of doing business is the harmonization of various ministries. (Skr/trans-Yati/RHM)

The Ministry of Trade along with Bank Indonesia and the Financial Services Authority will conduct a series of meetings to take steps and decisions regarding the use of digital currency.

In a discussion themed '‘Synergy of Trading Industry based on Commodity, Warehouse Receipt System, and Commodity Auction Market in the Era of Digital Trading in Encouraging National Economic Growth’  which was held in Jakarta on Wednesday, (February 7), Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita explained that crypto- currency, such as bit-coin, is rampant in Indonesia.

Thus, the government cannot keep being silent, but the government must take a number of decisions. However, Minister Enggar ensures that digital currency cannot be used as a means of payment in Indonesia.

"But certainly, bit-coin as a payment tool cannot be used. I can say that it is almost certain. There is no underline and so on. We do not know the form or the person. It's so a lot now and so rampant," Enggartiasto Lukita said.

Minister Enggartiasto further explained that some options have been included in the considerations for decision making. On the same occasion, Vice Chairman of the National Economic and Industrial Committee -KEIN, Arif Budimanta is grateful that digital currency in Indonesia is prohibited from using it. He views that this digital currency is not clear and moving on the basis of expectations./// (VOI/Sekar/RHM)

2018 and 2019 are political years in Indonesia. In the years, two great events: Regional Head Election and Presidential Election will be held. Vice chairman of National Economic and Industrial Committee, Arif Budimanta said that based on a study of Economist Intelligence Unit, there is no political risk which is relatively significant to doubt the ability of Indonesia in managing its economy and government.

At a public discussion  themed ‘Synergy of Trading Industry based on Commodity, Warehouse Receipt System, and Commodity Auction Market in the Era of Digital Trading in Encouraging National Economic Growth’ which was held in Jakarta on Wednesday (7/2). Arif Budimanta explained that Economist Intelligence Unit viewed that it is optimistic with Indonesian economic prospect in 2018 and 2019. The study is in line with roundtable and expert panel of the committee which concluded that in political context, the election of regional head does not cause economic risk.

“…The point is that in 2018, there is no need of political chaos in Indonesia. Although ahead of the presidential election, it will be a little heating up, but that usually happens everywhere, not just in Indonesia. In the political context as well, most regions are closer to us; Malaysia is going ahead for the election. But in some major countries, such as America, Germany, and China, all the process has been completed. So, regional politics as well as geopolitics globally take place as a whole. They are driving machines of major changes in geopolitical imbalance. All of these are relatively completed," Arif Budimanta said.

Arif Budimanta hopes that something bad will not happen in the future. Until now, trend shows positive thing. On the same occasion, Minister of Trade, Enggartiasto Lukita asserted that the prospect and economic growth in Indonesia in political years is no doubt. He is optimistic that in the political years, money will circulate more and consumption will increase. The Minister also guaranteed that the government will strictly control the economy in the political years. (Sekar/trans-Yati/RHM)