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The "Indonesia Expo 2024" exhibition opened at the Palm Drive Activity Center, Glorietta 2, Makati City, Philippines, on Friday (June 28, 2024). (Photo by: ANTARA/HO-KBRI Manila)

VOINews, Jakarta: The Indonesian Embassy in Manila is hosting the Indonesia Expo 2024 at the Palm Drive Activity Center, Glorietta 2, Makati City from June 28 to 30, 2024, to showcase Indonesian products and culture in the Philippines.

In his opening remarks on Friday (June 28), Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Agus Widjojo highlighted that this exhibition is one of the Embassy's efforts to enhance mutual understanding and foster closer economic collaboration between Indonesia and the Philippines.

“The Indonesia Expo 2024 is a tangible manifestation of the Indonesian Embassy's mission in Manila to strengthen economic and cultural relations with the host country,” Ambassador Widjojo stated in a written statement on Saturday.

As reportd by Antara The exhibition’s theme, “Build Strong Connection with the Best of Indonesia in the Philippines,” reflects the Embassy’s commitment to bringing high-quality Indonesian products to the Philippine market and providing visitors with a rich Indonesian cultural experience.

A variety of cultural performances, live bands, and side events are planned to entertain visitors throughout the three-day exhibition. These include angklung workshops, cooking demonstrations, coffee brewing, and Batik painting.

Participants of the Indonesia Expo 2024 include established Indonesian companies already present in the Philippine market, as well as Filipino importers distributing Indonesian products.

The exhibition features a wide range of product categories, including halal food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, herbal medicines, confectionery, fashion and accessories, household products, logistics and surveying services, health and beauty products, and stationery.

This diverse mix of products aims to showcase Indonesia’s top offerings and business opportunities to meet various needs and preferences of the Philippine market.

The Indonesia Expo has grown significantly since its first event in 2022 at SM Megamall and its second in 2023 at The Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia.

Each year, the Indonesian Embassy in Manila strives to expand its offerings and refine the exhibition concept to provide the best representation of Indonesian products to the Philippine market and better service to exhibitors. This growth reflects the increasing interest and significance of Indonesian products in the Philippines.

The opening of the Indonesia Expo 2024 was attended by ambassadors and representatives from ASEAN member countries, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands, the Indonesian Consul General in Davao, the Mayor of Makati City, the Philippine Halal Export and Promotion Board, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Los Banos, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc., Expedia Management Inc., the Philippine Marketing Association, and the Philippine Coffee Board./Antara/VOI.

File photo—Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly at Discovery Hotel Ancol, Jakarta, on June 1, 2023. (Photo by: ANTARA/Fath Putra Mulya/am)

VOINews, Jakarta: Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly reassured the public regarding the security of immigration data now stored on Amazon Web Services (AWS) after a recent ransomware cyberattack.

"Currently, the data remains on AWS—complete, secure, and without any issues," Laoly said following an internal meeting about the Temporary National Data Center (PDNS) cyberattack at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Friday.

He emphasized that the immigration data on AWS is safeguarded against leaks.

However, Laoly did not provide a timeline for when the immigration data would be transferred back to the National Data Center (PDN) in Indonesia.

"We'll have to wait and see how things progress," he commented.

The Ministry of Law and Human Rights had moved its immigration data to AWS after a ransomware attack disrupted operations at the PDN.

By Monday, the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) and the Ministry of Communication and Informatics had reported 211 agencies affected by the PDNS 2 cyberattack. This number increased to 282 agencies the next day.

A total of 44 agencies were prepared to initiate data recovery processes, while the rest were still in various stages of recovery on Wednesday. Five agencies had already resumed services to the public./Antara/VOI

VOInews, Jakarta: The cyber attack incident on the National Data Centre 2 (PDN2) is an important lesson regarding digital security. Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics (Wamenkominfo), Nezar Patria emphasised that it encourages Indonesian Government to increase vigilance against cyber attacks. 

Deputy Minister Nezar Patria ensured that cybersecurity is an aspect that receives attention from Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Informatics. "This awareness has existed in the ministry too when designing what is called digital transformation, it includes its security, cyber security," he explained at The One Table Forum Programme in Central Jakarta, Wednesday (26/06/2024) evening.

The Ministry of Communication realises that the design of digital transformation cannot be separated from the security or cyber security aspects in it. "This awareness already exists in Kominfo as well when designing what is called digital transformation, it includes its security, cyber security," he explained.

It is known that the Government is accelerating digital transformation. Deputy Minister of Communication and Information Nezar Patria stated that the spirit to realise digitalisation and digital transformation will not recede due to the cyber attack incident on the Temporary National Data Centre (PDNS).  

"We must not go backwards, we must move forward! Digitalisation continues and Indonesia must be able to be in front, this should not discourage us from digital transformation," he said.

Deputy Minister Nezar Patria assessed that digital transformation can increase efficiency, simplify business processes, and make it easier for people to access government services. According to him, the cyber attack incident is a valuable lesson to strengthen cybersecurity in the digital transformation process. "I think we learnt an important lesson here and it is very critical," he said.

The Deputy Minister stated that digital transformation is not only the responsibility of the Ministry of Communication and Information but must be carried out by all elements of the nation. "Digital transformation is the transformation of the nation," he said. 

On the same occasion, Deputy Minister Nezar Patria stated that on behalf of the Ministry of Communication and Information, he apologised to the public who experienced problems due to disruption of public services. 

"This attack has occurred, which means it shows weakness. Kominfo as the institution that oversees this issue has apologised, especially to the public whose services were disrupted," he said.

According to the Deputy Minister, President Joko Widodo gave a directive to restore public services as soon as possible. 

"The President's orders the system to be recovered as soon as possible, so our priority is public services, do not let the public be disrupted, and government functions that use digital platforms are disrupted," he concluded.

Source: The Ministry of Communication and Informatics

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia shares its experience of economic resilient growth after Covid-19 with Thailand. Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto on Wednesday (26/6), welcomed a delegation from the Thai Parliament at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs office, Jakarta.

According to the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs' website, Thursday (27/6/2024), the Thai delegation led by Parit Wacharasindhu, Chairman of the Thai Parliament's Commission for Political Development, Mass Communication and Public Participation, wanted to know the policy direction and potential for cooperation between Indonesia and Thailand.

"Indonesia is a country that has three time zones, so decentralisation is the key, as growth is not to be centralised. Indonesia wants each region to have the same growth so that development does not only occur in Java Island, but also around eastern and western Indonesia," Airlangga explained.

Airlangga added that one of the efforts is to develop Special Economic Zones. The Indonesian government has nearly 22 special economic zones throughout Indonesia, and one of Indonesia's policies is to develop downstream industries.

Airlangga also explained that for the manufacturing industry, Indonesia has launched Indonesia 4.0. Indonesia has also focused on critical minerals which only two years ago the United States and Europe realised the importance of critical minerals. 

Airlangga also explained that Indonesia produces 50 million tonnes of CPO and is developing biodiesel 35. According to Airlangga, Thailand's strength in producing sugar, including raw sugar, in the next phase Thailand can build ethanol which can be another opportunity for cooperation between Indonesia and Thailand. 

"We need to make investments that increase energy self-sufficiency in ASEAN countries. And I think that's important for this sector. So, I think in those two issues, regarding palm oil and natural rubber, I think we have to work together," Airlangga said.

Furthermore, regarding EV, Airlangga said that critical minerals such as nickel, copper, cobalt, and aluminium, which are raw materials for new and renewable energy, are found in Indonesia. On the occasion, Airlangga explained that there are opportunities for cooperation between Indonesia and Thailand in the electric vehicle development chain. 

In the digitalisation sector, under Indonesia's leadership in the 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship, a digital economy framework agreement (DEFA) has been launched, one of which is expected to facilitate transactions. 

"So with the spirit of ASEAN, we want to further integrate people and establish economic relations between ASEAN countries. For digitalisation itself, with the digital economy framework agreement, the ASEAN economy can increase to 2 trillion dollars (USD)," he said.

During the meeting, Airlangga also explained in more detail other matters asked by the Thai Delegation, one of which was related to policies that support MSMEs. 

Airlangga also explained about Indonesia's support for start-ups not only through funding but also training. During the meeting, Indonesia and Thailand were open to potential cooperation that could be established between the two countries. 

"In ASEAN, if Indonesia and Thailand work together, I think there are many things we can achieve for our ASEAN," Airlangga concluded.

Source: Indonesian Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs