VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews,Jakarta:Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno promoted Indonesia's tourism to residents of the Middle East, Central Europe, and Central America, identified as potential marketing regions.

This was stated by Minister Sandiaga Uno during the Familiarization Trip Program on Friday (15/6) while meeting with travel agents, journalists, content creators, and tourism observers from Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, and Panama.

"These participants have a crucial role in promoting Indonesia to these three potential marketing regions," he conveyed.

Minister SandiagaUno further explained his primary focus was on residents of the three regions, which saw significant contributions to Indonesia's international tourist arrivals last year.

In 2023, the number of Bulgarian tourists visiting Indonesia increased by 33 percent, Central American tourists by 35 percent, and Saudi Arabian tourists by 30 percent, he said.

"We aim to use this momentum to attract more culture-interested tourists," he said.

He further pointed out that his ministry aims to attract more visitors and ensure these travelers are "quality tourists" who spend more nights in Indonesia.

Minister Uno expressed hope that the Familiarization Trip Program would encourage participants to promote Indonesia's tourism upon returning to their countries.

"We hope for continued promotions that will result in more tourists visiting Indonesia, as we have seen a significant increase in visits from those three regions," he stated.

During the activity, SandiagaUno was accompanied by Sukmo Harsono, Indonesian Ambassador to Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Nikaragua, and Iwan Bogananta, Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Albania, and North Macedonia. (Antara)

VOInews, Jakarta: The Indonesian Military (TNI) confirmed that they had prepared three aircraft for the evacuation of around 1,000 Palestinians injured by Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip to Indonesia.

The aircraft on standby include Boeing 737-400/500, C-130J Super Hercules, and Hercules C-130H. This was pointed out by TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto  at a meeting with ulemas of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in Jakarta on Friday as quoted by Antara (15/6).

The Indonesian Air Force's Boeing 737-400/500 can carry 41 crew members, 86 passengers, and logistics weighing 10 tons, while the C-130J can seat 51 people and the C-130H can transport 55 people.

The aircraft will transport the wounded Palestinian evacuees to Indonesia for treatment at Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital (RSPAD) and Jenderal Besar Soedirman National Defense Central Hospital.

These two Jakarta-based hospitals could receive up to 1,000 patients, General Agus said, adding that all injured Palestinian evacuees would be offered the best medical care and post-trauma treatment.

To this end, the TNI has prepared a team of specialists to assist the traumatized evacuees with therapy, he stated.

Moreover, the TNI is also ready to deliver further humanitarian supplies for Gaza, including a hospital ship, as long as a ceasefire has been implemented and the Indonesian military has received a UN mandate, he conveyed. (Antara)

VOInews, Jakarta: The Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs invited a number of business associations and importers to discuss a number of important issues related to the implementation of halal certification obligations for products that enter, circulate and are traded in the territory of Indonesia from October 2024. "We invite leaders or representatives of business associations and importers to discuss together, discussing various matters relating to the implementation of the halal certification obligation which will be gradually implemented starting October 2024," said the Head of the Halal Cooperation and Standardisation Centre, Abd Syakur, after leading the FGD at the Oakwood Hotel, East Jakarta, Tuesday (11/6/2024).

Quoting a written statement from the Ministry of Religious Affairs received on Wednesday (12/6/2024), the activity was attended by BPJPH Secretary E. A Chuzaemi Abidin, and Head of the Halal Registration and Certification Centre Siti Aminah, as well as representatives of associations, including APINDO (Indonesian Employers Association), HIPPINDO (Indonesian Association of Retailers & Shopping Centre Tenants), AFFI (Indonesian Flavour and Fragrant Association), ASPIDI (Indonesian Meat Importers Association), ASPADIN (Association of Indonesian Bottled Water Companies), APRINDO (Indonesian Retail Association), Gabungan Perusahaan Makanan & Minuman Seluruh Indonesia (GAPMMI), American Chamber of Commerce Indonesia, European Chamber of Commerce Indonesia, APREGINDO (Indonesian Global Brand Retailers Association), British Chamber of Commerce Indonesia, and US-ASEAN.

Furthermore, Syakur said that through this FGD, BPJPH as a government agency responsible for the implementation of Halal Product Guarantee (JPH) has an interest in ensuring the realisation of an understanding of JPH regulations and technical implementation between the government and industrial circles in a harmonious and equitable manner. Apart from being a means of socialising JPH policies and regulations, the FGD is also a forum to absorb the aspirations of business actors. "This constructive discussion aims to mitigate and build a conducive situation to ensure the implementation of halal certification obligations, including those related to foreign halal certificate registration, will run well and it is even expected that the sustainability of the supply chain will run better." continued Syakur.

Syakur appreciated active participation of the FGD attendees that gave various insights into the discussion. "I also appreciate a number of associations that have attended and provided many constructive views from various points of view according to their respective fields." he continued. "This is important, because we want the policies we make to be consistent but also facilitate the supply chain of halal products. However, these policies must also pay attention to differences in laws and regulations in other countries." Syakur concluded.

Source: Ministry of Religious Affairs

VOInews, Batam: Indonesian President Joko Widodo has established the Tanjung Sauh Special Economic Zone (SEZ) through Government Regulation (PP) Number 24 of 2024. The SEZ, which is located on Tanjung Sauh Island, Batam City, Riau Islands Province, has an area of 840.67 hectares.

The establishment of the Tanjung Sauh SEZ was carried out to accelerate job creation, the development of the Batam city area in supporting regional economic development and the national economy. "With the development of the Tanjung Sauh SEZ, it is expected to boost Indonesia's competitiveness, as well as have a significant impact on the regional economy through investment receipts reaching Rp199.6 trillion and job creation, both direct and indirect, of 366,087 people when fully operational for 30 years," said Acting. Secretary General of the National SEZ Council, Rizal Edwin Manansang, as quoted from an official statement on Wednesday (12/6/2024).

Mr Manansang further explained that the optimised development of the area is expected to contribute to the Riau Islands' GRDP, reaching Rp166.81 trillion cumulatively. "The Tanjung Sauh SEZ has an investment realisation commitment of Rp199.6 trillion and is expected to be able to absorb a workforce of 366,087 people until 2053," the statement read.

It is known that the Tanjung Sauh SEZ has a production and processing business plan, energy development, and logistics and distribution. In this SEZ, the electronic component industry (PCB, RFID, GPS, CCTV, and Semiconductor) will be developed, as well as the electronic product assembly industry. "In terms of ports, the existence of the port in Tanjung Sauh SEZ between Batam and Bintan is an important bridge for logistics mobilisation between the Riau Islands and the national and international markets. Tanjung Sauh SEZ will also act as a modern gateway port, able to accommodate up to 5 million TEUS, and become a logistics centre in the region between Batam and Bintan," he continued.

Tanjung Sauh SEZ will also become a centre for research and development in the energy sector, as well as a producer of alternative energy, renewable energy and primary energy, which is predicted to meet the needs of industries and households in Batam-Bintan. According to the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, through Government Regulation No. 24 of 2024, there are already 21 SEZs spread across Indonesia, and have recorded an investment of Rp187.5 trillion with the creation of 126,506 workers by March 2024. "The development of SEZs generally aims to increase investment, exports, import substitution, create jobs, create a breakthrough model of regional development through industrial and service development. The targets are globally competitive industries, international tourism services, education and health services, and the digital economy," he concluded.

Source:  Indonesian Coordinating Ministry of Economy