VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan stated that inclusive and strong trade policies can encourage domestic economic growth and contribute to the welfare of global partners.

Hasan made the statement at the Business 20 (B20) Special Plenary Session in New Delhi, India on Friday (August 25), according to a written statement issued by Trade Ministry and received here on Saturday.

The Trade Minister stated that B20, which is a forum for business players of G20 countries, can serve as a means of dialogue and cooperation that enables the strengthening of ties and the exchange of ideas in formulating policy directions toward a more prosperous future.

The special plenary session is part of the B20 Summit of India's G20 Presidency in 2023, which is aimed at creating policy recommendations from the business sector for G20 leaders.

The meeting discussed global economic and trade governance, the benefits of trade for developing and less developed countries, and resilient and inclusive collaboration in addressing global challenges.

He noted that the current global economic dynamics have shown vulnerability in the global supply chains as well as highlighted the importance of a smooth flow of goods and services trade.

He assessed that global supply chain disruption and the increase in inflation have resulted in a negative impact on global economic growth.

Hasan underscored that maintaining the stability of global trade as well as creating a coherent strategy in risk management and crisis mitigation are concrete solutions.

"It is crucial to strengthen the capacity of all countries in dealing with economic shocks, especially for developing countries," he added.

The minister further said that trade will become an important instrument for the economic growth of all countries. Every country has the same right to development and the right to manage resources to create added value to improve welfare.

He opined that cooperation can encourage trade as a "machine" of economic growth, create jobs, and empower the community.

"Our commitment to transparency, fair trade practices, and investment in technology will advance us amid the dynamic global situation," he remarked.

He expressed hope that with open discussion and collective action, the B20 forum will bring innovative solutions that can have a positive impact on global trade.

He also noted that through the forum, G20 countries can build and strengthen cooperation and lay the foundations for a more robust and inclusive trade. (antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - The Industrial Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMI) under the Ministry of Industry continues to help the government improve the performance of the textile and textile product (TPT) industry by providing vocational training.

The head of BPSDMI, Masrokhan, noted in a Sunday statement that the agency's education unit, AK-Tekstil Solo, focuses on preparing workers for this industry.

The academy, which is based in Solo, Central Java, offers an education program equivalent to a Diploma II in three areas: yarn making engineering, fabric making engineering, and garment making engineering.

Masrokhan said that AK-Tekstil Solo had held a meeting with industrial partners to discuss curriculum development and labor absorption.

"This meeting is expected to help bridge the gap between education and industry, especially in the TPT industry," he said.

He believed that the synergy between AK-Tekstil Solo and textile companies would help improve the quality of human resources, which would in turn increase the competitiveness of the TPT industry.

TPT is included as one of the priority sectors for development in the government's Making Indonesia 4.0 roadmap.

The industry is classified as an export-oriented, labor-intensive sector. In 2022, Indonesia's TPT exports were valued at US$13.83 billion, and the sector employed a total of 3.65 million people.

BPSDMI is an agency under the Ministry of Industry of Indonesia. (antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - The East Kalimantan Provincial Government has prepared eight development priorities for 2024-2026 that are closely related to the development planning of the Central Government in making IKN Nusantara a success.

Regional Secretary of the East Kalimantan Provincial Government Sri Wahyuni expressed hope that all parties, especially regional apparatus organizations within the provincial government, would adjust the direction of the intended development priorities.

"The eight development priorities have been presented at the East Kalimantan Provincial Government Leadership Meeting (Rapim) to all regional apparatuses," Sri Wahyuni noted in Samarinda, Friday.

The development priorities include increasing the competitiveness of human resources that drive employment. This is deemed crucial since East Kalimantan Province has been designated as a location for IKN Nusantara.

The other development priority is to increase the degree of public health by optimizing hospital services and other health facilities.

"Through this development priority, health services to the community are very important, especially preventing an increase in the number of stunting cases in East Kalimantan," she stated.

In addition, strengthening economic transformation efforts through vertical and horizontal diversification in leading sectors, strengthening infrastructure to support economic development and basic services, and improving the quality of life of the poor, especially alleviating extreme poverty, are the other development priorities.

"These three priorities are really needed, so that people's economic growth will get better on the Etam Continent (East Kalimantan's nickname)," she affirmed.

Furthermore, the other development priorities encompass improving the quality of the environment in a sustainable manner and increasing professional and accountable regional governance to support the transformation of public services.

"We hope that all of these priorities can provide great value for the community," Sri Wahyuni affirmed.

As a province designated as a location for IKN, she affirmed that increasing regional readiness, as an IKN partner, by optimizing cooperation is of utmost importance.

"Thus, (through enhancing cooperation among) all parties, including all OPDs, work programs built can be directed to support the development of IKN," she remarked. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) arrived at the Kualanamu International Airport, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, on Friday morning, after embarking on a five-day visit to the African continent.

Upon his arrival, the head of state was welcomed by North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi, Bukit Barisan Regional Military Commander Major General Danier Chardin, and Chief of North Sumatra Police Inspector General Agung Setya Imam, according to the Presidential Secretariat's Press Bureau on Friday.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, and Secretary of Cabinet Pramono Anung accompanied the president during his flight from Africa.

The president made the most of his visit to attend the 15th summit event of BRICS, an alliance comprising five developing countries, in South Africa, where he delivered a speech to emphasize the importance of all parties to consistently respect international law and human rights.

In front of four leaders of the five BRICS countries of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, President Jokowi also underscored that the current global economic order is highly unfair, adding that such a situation cannot be left unaddressed.

"We must continue to advocate for equal and inclusive cooperation. BRICS can be at the forefront of fighting for just development and reforming world governance to be fairer," he remarked at the summit.

Apart from attending BRICS as an invitee, the head of state also made the most of his stay in Africa to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of several African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique.

Earlier, the president and his entourage took off from the O. R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday (August 24) at 2:35 p.m. South African time, or 7:35 p.m. Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB)

In North Sumatra, President Jokowi is scheduled to visit Binjai City to directly greet and distribute aid to merchants before inaugurating installation of the Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) in the Medan-Binjai-Deli Serdang region as well as the Aek Tano Ponggol Bridge. (Antaranews)