VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta: Saudi Arabia wants to increase investment cooperation with Indonesia. This was the focus of the meeting between the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Mudi, and Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin on Tuesday (7/11/2023).

Panel discussion and socialization on 'Decarbonization of the Transportation Sector through the Adoption of Battery-Based Electric Motorized Vehicles (KBLBB) for a Better Indonesia' in the West Java Region in Bandung - 

Deputy for Infrastructure and Transportation Coordination, Rachmat Kaimuddin, said that the transition to using electric vehicles in Indonesia requires the cooperation of all parties. He conveyed this when opening a panel discussion and socialization on 'Decarbonization of the Transportation Sector through the Adoption of Battery-Based Electric Motorized Vehicles (KBLBB) for a Better Indonesia' in the West Java Region in Bandung (Tuesday, 7-11-2023).

"This transition is a long journey, but that doesn't mean we don't do something. We have to start planning, making a roadmap. It's our future at stake. Therefore, the government provides strong encouragement. "The government cannot do it alone, it needs support from local government, industry and users," said Deputy Rachmat.

According to him, the development of the Battery-Based Electric Motor Vehicle (KBLBB) industry is part of energy transition efforts, namely by transforming industry and protecting the environment. Deputy Rachmat said that the Indonesian automotive market is the largest in ASEAN.

“This industry is an important sector for Indonesia. The economic impact is also very broad because we are not only consumers but also producers. "However, we also have to look at the world trend which is starting to switch to electric vehicles," he said.

Regarding this matter, Bentang Arief Budiman, Partnership Manager of the National Center for Sustainable Transportation Technology (NCCT) said that multi-party collaboration is needed to encourage the acceleration of electric vehicles.

“Academics and industry must collaborate, starting from technology development, then knowledge development, and also business. "Collaboration between each sector is to jointly transform what has been developed scientifically so that it becomes a product that can benefit society," he said.

Deputy Rachmat explained that since the ratification of the Paris Agreement in 2016, the development of global electric vehicles has increased every year, such as in 2022 which will increase to 14%. According to him, in the region, Indonesia's biggest rival is Thailand, whose electric vehicle market will reach 8% by 2023.

"Indonesia needs to anticipate, don't let it become a big industry in Thailand, but not Indonesia, and when the market focuses on electric vehicles, don't let all our electric vehicles be made in Thailand," said Deputy Rachmat.

According to him, the government has created incentives to encourage the development of the electric vehicle industry, one of which is through an assistance program with an incentive of seven million rupiah/person for each motor vehicle unit. Meanwhile, according to him, for the adoption of electric cars and buses there is a reduction in VAT from 11% to 1%.

"The government's target for 2030 is to have two million cars and 13 million electric motorbikes so that 10% of the population is our target. With that 10%, it is hoped that it will start to enter the mainstream realm. We will indirectly reduce fuel imports and fuel subsidies. "Currently there are 15 brands of electric motorbikes with a TKDN of 40% produced in Indonesia," he explained.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday (07/11/23), regarding this matter, Saadiyah Dwidaningsih, Head of the West Java ESDM Service representing Acting. The Governor of West Java said he had supported the electric vehicle acceleration program by providing conversion kits, namely to 17 vocational schools in West Java.

"This is to strengthen, to increase the number of conversion workshops, as well as increasing the capacity of students and experts who will develop these electric vehicles in the future," he said.

Kadis Saadiyah added that West Java province received an award from the National Energy Council as a regional government that succeeded in campaigning for clean energy and a region that succeeded in encouraging the energy transition.

In his presentation, Deputy Rachmat explained that only by developing the domestic EV industry can Indonesia realize positive externalities and prevent the risk of reduced GDP and employment opportunities due to the automotive industry transition.

"We hope that starting next year there will be new investors to start building EV factories in Indonesia, with a target of starting production in 2026. "To attract that, we must be able to prove that the Indonesian market is attractive," hoped Deputy Rachmat.

He emphasized that accelerating EV adoption is important, especially to accelerate Indonesia's decarbonization agenda, improve air quality and make the downstreaming of Indonesia's critical minerals a success.

"But we can't wait, if we wait we will just be spectators. Because other countries have been very active in inviting them and they have started building factories. "We have to remember that as an ASEAN country, import duties among ASEAN countries are 0%, so if for example it is built in another ASEAN country, it enters Indonesia at 0%, we will only be consumers," he concluded.

For your information, this activity also invited representatives from the Bandung Technology Institute, Fiscal Policy Agency of the Ministry of Finance, Directorate General of ILMATE, Ministry of Industry, Directorate General of Electricity, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Directorate General of Land Transportation, Ministry of Transportation, Directorate General of Regional Financial Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, Directorate of Energy Conservation. Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, PT. Indonesian Surveyor, PT. Bank Mandiri, and AISMOLI//VOI

World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 - 

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) participated in the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 which took place at Excel, London, England, on 6-8 November 2023.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno in a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday (7/11/2023) explained that the presence of the Wonderful Indonesia Pavilion at the WTM London event was in order to market Indonesian tourism to UK and European markets as a whole, by taking advantage of the momentum of the world's second largest tourism exhibition.

"Considering that Indonesian tourism is still top of mind for the European community. So with our participation in WTM London it is hoped that we can increase the country's foreign exchange through tourism and encourage the creation of new and quality jobs," he said.

Based on data, England is the main market for European tourists for Indonesia with the largest number of tourists, followed by France, Germany, the Netherlands and Russia.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of British tourists visiting Indonesia reached 397,624 people, this figure will decrease to 170,881 people in 2022.

"In 2023, it is hoped that tourists from England will rebound. "The latest statistical data from January to September 2023 shows that the number of tourists from England visiting Indonesia has reached 255,714," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga.

At this WTM, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy facilitated 40 tourism industry players including travel agencies and accommodation service providers spread across several provinces in Indonesia by implementing the collaborative marketing concept.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday (08/11/23), Deputy for Marketing Ni Made Ayu Marthini explain that in order to increase the variety of tourist activities visiting Indonesia, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy also believes in the importance of holding events for the success of Indonesian tourism promotion.

"Apart from developing five super priority destinations, we believe that event-led tourism can help Indonesian tourism return to pre-pandemic times," he said.

The Indonesian Pavilion occupies an area of ​​171 m2 in collaboration with industry and partners in hall S10-220. This time Indonesia raised the theme "Exploring New Destinations of Wonders". This theme is a form of Indonesia's consistency in promoting 5 Super Priority Destinations beyond Bali, which also have enchanting, authentic and unique attractions both in terms of landscape and surrounding culture.

"This focus is expected to help improve the quality of tourist visits, especially foreign tourists so they can stay longer in Indonesia. "Indirectly, this will also have a good impact on creative economy products in the 5 Super Priority Destinations," said Sandiaga.

The Indonesian pavilion at WTM London this year is targeting sales of 91,000 pax and potential foreign exchange reaching IDR 1.75 trillion. This target is expected to provide real benefits for the tourism industry and Indonesian society//VOI

The awards ceremony at the National working meeting - 

Transportation technology is developing rapidly. Not wanting to be left behind, the Directorate General of Land Transportation (Ditjen Hubdat) of the Ministry of Transportation continues to update information and improve the capabilities of its Human Resources (HR).

This was stated by the Director General of Land Transportation, Hendro Sugianto when giving his briefing at the 2023 Technical Coordination Meeting (Rakornis) for Land Transportation which was held on 8-9 November 2023, in Bandung with the theme *"Policy Collaboration for Inclusive Land Transportation and Sustainable”*.

According to Hendro, to reduce pollution in Indonesia's big cities, the government continues to develop transportation technology, including through electric vehicles. It doesn't stop there, the Government also completes it with supporting regulations.

"In the future, public transportation technology will also develop rapidly, and this will be a challenge for us as government officials to be able to keep up with it by adapting to existing regulations. We are also required to have the best readiness and capability of human resources. "Therefore, we hope that this Rakornis will update information and increase our abilities," he said.

He also said that he is not only preparing for transportation progress within the country, currently transportation progress is also happening at the regional level. Where freeways between Asean countries have also been built, so that land transportation in this regional area will be connected. Similar things also happen in border areas such as Indonesia and Malaysia, Indonesia and Timor Leste.

"Therefore, transportation policies at the national level must be addressed well, so that public demands for the desired transportation services in the areas of speed and comfort can be provided," he added.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday (08/11/23), on the same occasion, the Secretary of the Directorate General of Land Transportation, Amirulloh, read out the report that at the 2023 Land Transportation Coordination Meeting several important issues would be raised, namely:
1. Preparation for the implementation of Christmas and New Year 2023/2024 transportation;
2. Implementation of Law no. 1 of 2022 concerning Financial Relations Between the Central and Regional Governments;
3. Sharpening the Management of the Main Duties and Functions of the Organization within the Directorate General of Land Transportation;
4. Discussion of Organization and Work Procedures, Discussion of Legal Advocacy within the Ministry of Transportation and Discussion related to Construction Management.

"Towards the end of the year, Christmas and New Year transportation is one of the highlights related to the increasing level of travel undertaken by the public due to holidays and end-of-year holidays," said Amirulloh.

Meanwhile, in this activity, awards were also given to the Regional Government in the category of Contribution to Providing Subsidy for Providing the Best Urban Transport, namely:
1. D.I. Province Yogyakarta
2. Aceh Province
3. Semarang City
4. Padang City, and
5. Pekanbaru City.

Then, awards were also given to the best Motor Vehicle Test Organizer, namely:
1. UPUBKB Pulogadung, DKI Jakarta Province
2. UPUBKB Tangerang City, and
3. UPUBKB Tandes, Surabaya City

In terms of preparing for the 2023/2024 Christmas Transport, the Director of Road Traffic, Ahmad Yani, explained the prediction of an increase in the movement of people by 5% which refers to the 2023 Eid Transport. Meanwhile, the prediction for the peak of the first homecoming flow will occur on 22-23 December 2023, then the peak flow prediction The first return will occur on 26-27 December 2023, while the predicted peak of the second homecoming flow will occur on 29-30 December 2023 and the predicted peak of the second return flow will occur on 1-2 January 2024.

"We have also mapped out strategic issues during Christmas, including potential traffic jams in tourist areas, ramp checks, accumulation of passengers and vehicles at ports, online ticket sales, anticipating bad weather and preparing alternative routes," he said.

The Directorate General of Land Transportation together with all relevant stakeholders will continue to strive to create safe, comfortable and secure Christmas and New Year 2023/2024 transportation for the community.

This activity was attended by all staff within the Directorate General of Land Transportation along with all Technical Implementation Units, relevant central government agencies, Heads of Provincial, Regency and City Transportation Services throughout Indonesia, Transportation Observers and other related stakeholders both offline and/or online.

The Land Transportation Coordination Meeting was attended by all staff within the Directorate General of Land Transportation and its Technical Implementation Unit, related central government agencies, Heads of Provincial, Regency and City Transportation Services throughout Indonesia, Transportation Observers and other relevant stakeholders//VOI