VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta - Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo called on the Spanish Government to open market access for Indonesia's horticultural products.

"We propose to immediately form a joint task force to formulate concrete steps to increase the added value and competitiveness of Indonesian horticultural products to dominate the global market," Limpo noted in a statement received here on Tuesday.

In a bilateral meeting with Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Luis Planas Puchades, Minister Limpo proposed to form a joint task force between the two countries to support Indonesian agricultural products entering Spain's market.

He believes that Indonesia and Spain can forge cooperation in numerous fields, such as in facing the global crisis caused by climate change, global geopolitical pressures, and post-pandemic economic recovery.

Limpo is also upbeat that the Spanish government would serve as a gateway for Indonesia's leading agricultural commodities to enter the European Union market.

He guaranteed that Indonesian flagship agricultural products meet the quality standards and sustainability principles set by the European Commission.

"Especially palm oil, cocoa, spices, and tropical fruits. I hope that Minister (Puchades) can help us convince various stakeholders," he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Puchades welcomed the potential collaboration between Indonesia and Spain, considering that agriculture is a key sector that determines the global economic balance.

Spain is the fourth-largest agricultural exporter in Europe and seventh-largest in the world. The country applies technologies, such as seawater desalination and deep water wells, to support the development of agriculture in the desert areas in Almeria.

Puchades noted that technologies have been adopted in the Middle East to support agriculture in deserts.

Moreover, the two ministers agreed to intensify cooperation in the application of greenhouse technology, smart farming, and integrated pest control.

The duo also agreed to strengthen collaboration in the exchange of experts, capacity-building programs, and building a pilot project for technology transfer.

(Antara News)

Jakarta - Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is upbeat that digitalization of the regional financial transaction ecosystem can encourage effective and efficient regional financial management.

The president’s aspiration was conveyed by Vice President Ma’ruf Amin in his online welcome speech for the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) on the 2023 Regional Digitalization Acceleration and Expansion in Jakarta on Tuesday.

“I am conveying a warm greeting from the president to all Rakornas participants,” the vice president stated in the live stream aired by Bank Indonesia’s YouTube account in Jakarta.

“The president expressed profound hope in the implementation of regional financial ecosystem digitalization to support the construction of an effective and efficient regional financial management to increase the prosperity of Indonesian people,” he stated.

On the occasion, the vice president stated that Indonesia’s economic indicators still show great prospects so far despite uncertainty in the global economic situation.

The national economy grows over five percent for seven quarters in a row, and in the second quarter of 2023, it reaches 5.17 percent year-on-year, the vice president stated.

To maintain the momentum towards Developed Indonesia, the country needs to clock an economic growth of about six to seven percent. An effort to pursue that target can be made through digital technology reinforcement.

“Digital technology reinforcement demands readiness in every aspect, including the regional government. This is where an active role by every regional leader is needed, as the leader of Regional Digitalization Acceleration and Expansion Team (P2DD),” the vice president remarked.

He stated that digital-based regional financial transaction innovation will involve an increase in local own-source revenue, transparency, regional financial management accountability, and public service.

“All of these aspects will contribute to the acceleration and even a performance surge on regional development,” he stated.

Vice President Amin commended the result of the regional digitalization acceleration and expansion implementation.

One achievement from the implementation and expansion of digitalization is the good distribution of social assistance that fulfills the 6T principles of on time, on target, appropriate amount, appropriate quality, appropriate price, and appropriate administration.

(Antara News)

Jakarta - Communication and Information Minister Budi Arie Setiadi has invited journalists to collaborate to help ensure the peaceful implementation of the General Elections, which are scheduled to be held on February 14, 2024.

In a press release issued by his ministry here on Monday, he said that the media has an important role in supporting the implementation of elections.

"Hopefully, the 2024 General Elections can result in leaders who are in accordance with the mandate of the people. Thus, sovereignty is in the hands of the people," he added.

The minister underlined that the mass media, as a trusted source of information, would play an essential role in creating a conducive situation during the 2024 election stages.

He affirmed that the Ministry of Communication and Information will collaborate with all media, including radio, television, digital platforms, and online and print media to realize peaceful elections.

According to him, political dynamics will rise ahead of the registration period for presidential and vice presidential candidates from October 19 to 25, 2023.

The ministry has initiated the Peaceful 2024 General Elections campaign to anticipate potential information chaos. As part of the campaign, the ministry is collaborating with several stakeholders to realize peaceful elections.

Elections are a means of national integration and must unite all elements of society. Therefore, he said, the Ministry of Communication and Information is encouraging public communication agendas for the Peaceful 2024 General Elections campaign.

The ministry is also committed to encouraging the community to exercise their right to vote wisely and is making efforts to anticipate polarization in the community during and after the elections, according to the statement.

"The ministry is also focusing on maintaining the digital space (so it can) remain healthy by forming an Anti-Hoax Task Force during the stages of the 2024 General Elections," the minister informed.

To ensure safety during the vote-counting process, the Ministry of Communication and Information is building synergies with mobile network operators and other stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted signals.   

(Antara News)

Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno invited tourists looking to watch the MotoGP race, scheduled in mid-October at the Mandalika Circuit, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, to opt for living in homestays.

"The occupancy rate of hotels is high. Hence, we would like to suggest tourists to stay in homestay and tourism villages to get unique experiences," he remarked in a discussion that was followed online in Jakarta on Monday (October 2).

Minister Uno noted that efforts to provide sufficient number of hotel rooms have met difficulties, but the government has prepared a solution by providing tourists with alternative accommodation options, such as homestays.

"We are moving fast by providing alternative accommodation facilities, such as homestay. In fact, this initiative has been well-received since many tourists are eager to stay in a distinct atmosphere," he pointed out.

The minister then expressed optimism that the existing accommodation facilities would meet the tourists' demand, adding that the number of tourists visiting Mandalika would increase by 15 percent, considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has ended.

"Since the pandemic era has ended, the number of tourists looking to spectate MotoGP is predicted to increase by 10-15 percent. However, I believe our accommodation facilities will meet the demand," he affirmed.

Earlier, Acting Head of the Central Lombok Office of Tourism, Lendek Jayadi, made similar statements.

"Spectators of MotoGP can stay in sarhunta (tourism residential facilities) and homestay as alternative accommodation options," he remarked in Central Lombok District on September 25.

He noted that the occupancy rate of sarhunta and homestay in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone had only reached 30 percent of the total 1,200 rooms available.

Meanwhile, 95 percent of the total of 1,970 hotel and villa rooms in the zone had been booked by spectators, racers, and crew of the 2023 Mandalika MotoGP.

"This signifies that spectators of MotoGP still have an opportunity to book numerous available rooms of sarhunta and homestay that sit closer to the Mandalika Circuit," he concluded.

(Antara News)