VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called on former World Bank Managing Director Mari Elka Pangestu to organize the Global Blended Finance (GBF) institution that was launched during Indonesia's G20 Presidency last year.

"The president has given a directive to Mrs Pangestu to become the president's special envoy (in GBF)," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated after a meeting with the president at the Presidential Palace here on Tuesday.

GBF is an international institution that will help increase blended financing, especially in developing countries.

"There will also be carbon pricing and other technologies (recommendations or instruments) resulting from the G20 in the Global Blended Finance. We will arrange a limited meeting to prepare it, so that Mrs Pangestu can immediately work with her team," he remarked.

Indonesia's G20 Presidency launched the GBF with various partners in order to close the financing gap in developing countries as part of the efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

GBF, which is planned to be based in Bali, aims to build capacity between countries, the private sector, and philanthropy to build a better blended finance.

Current partners in GBF include the Blended Finance Taskforce, The B Team, the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), the United Nations' Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN), the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Yayasan Upaya Indonesia Damai Foundation.

At the GBF launch in Nusa Dua, Bali, Monday (November 14, 2022), Pandjaitan remarked that the GBF will work with members and partners to determine impact targets and strategies that will be announced at the World Bank or IMF meetings in 2023.

Another mission of GBF is to strengthen and expand the blended finance market by replicating a blended structure that has been successful in addressing inefficiencies. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - The Indonesian Manpower Ministry is pushing the Hong Kong authority to increase the minimum wage for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI).

"I urge the Hong Kong authority to consider increasing the PMIs' minimum wage in 2023, considering the development of current basic needs," Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah noted in a statement received here, Monday (July 31).

During a bilateral meeting with Secretary for Labor and Welfare Department of Hong Kong, Chris Sun Yu Han, Minister Fauziyah also requested basic rights for the other PMIs from the Hong Kong authority, such as easy, fair, and fast visa processing and uninterrupted rest both day and night.

According to the minister, sufficient rest will have a positive impact on the health and working ability of PMIs.

"I want the Hong Kong authority to be able to stipulate regulations regarding working hours and rest periods for foreign domestic workers," she remarked.

However, in the recruitment and placement of PMIs, the minister said that the employer had to pay a placement fee.

The Hong Kong authority has determined the cost components to be borne by the employer and written in the Standard Employment Contract. Meanwhile, Indonesia also determines the placement fee components that can be charged to employers.

"What has been stated in the Standard Employment Contract, not only the cost component according to Hong Kong regulations but also the cost component according to the worker's origin country," she remarked.

At the meeting, Minister Fauziyah also expressed her keenness for the Hong Kong authority to open up opportunities for PMIs to work in the formal sector that requires high level of skills, such as nurses, elderly nurses, and jobs in the hotel sector.

"I believe that through cooperation between Indonesia and Hong Kong, especially in the field of manpower, it can get stronger and be sustainable," she stated.

Fauziyah noted that the Indonesian government also continues to carry out intensive protection and diplomacy efforts to improve the protection of PMIs' rights, including those working in Hong Kong. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Moroccan Ambassador to Indonesia Ouadia Benabdellah has expressed hope that the bilateral relationship between Morocco and Indonesia will continue to improve.

"I am optimistic about the improvement in bilateral relations that we have achieved in the last few years," Ouadia said during an event in Jakarta on Monday to mark the 24th anniversary of the enthronement of the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI.

"It is hoped that bilateral relations between Indonesia and Morocco will continue to move forward to achieve a promising partnership, especially in the economic, industrial, and food security sectors," he added.

He said that there are still many opportunities that need to be explored further in the development of bilateral relations between the two countries.

"Therefore, I urge both nations to continue working together and provide opportunities for Indonesian and Moroccan entrepreneurs to develop more promising partnerships," the ambassador said.

"We can work together. Yes, we can, and we must work together to benefit both countries," he said.

Regarding the celebration of the 24th anniversary of the enthronement of King Mohammed VI, Ambassador Ouadia said that the Moroccan people really love their king.

"As the king, he is the symbol of the nation, the guarantor of its unity, and the designer of the renaissance of modern Morocco," he said.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian people for establishing friendly relations with Moroccans living in Indonesia.

"This unity is reflected by peace, brotherhood, solidarity, and the respect for the principle of unity and the sovereignty and common values that our two countries share and believe in for a more prosperous and peaceful world," he said. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf), Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, has outlined five criteria that can help creative economy entrepreneurs move toward achieving the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.

"The first is (be) innovative, just like the concept of a stage that faces directly with the community. A stage like this is full of innovation with the concept of 360 degrees Indonesia, wherever we look, Indonesian people are with us, that is the first criterion if we want to be successful: (be) innovative," he said in a statement issued in Gresik on Monday.

The second criterion is to take risks and never stay in the comfort zone because life is full of challenges, he added.

"You live only once, so take risks; never be afraid to fail because there will be no success without failure," he said.

Then, he continued, establish relationships through friendships because that will help bring a lot of fortune and longevity.

"Friendship can make us live long and help us to make a fortune, that's the formula; if you want to be successful, you have to stay in touch frequently," he said.

And the last is to continue to improve and hone the soft skills one already has, the United Development Party (PPP) politician said.

"Gresik district head Gus Yani said we need mentors in every activity; if I propose I carry out the work of the four, that is hard work, smart work, thorough work, and sincere work," said the minister.

He recalled that before he managed to build a national business and create jobs for 30 thousand people across Indonesia, he faced many ups and downs.

"I started a business with only three employees after being laid off; when I found it difficult to get an income, didn't have a monthly salary, I finally started a business, just like you do by opening MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises)," he said.

He further said he believes that everyone can rise and move forward if they have the right knowledge and mentor.

"What I want to leave is that 2024 is the moment for continuing economic development faster. I see a bright future for Indonesia. I see Indonesia as spectacular because every leadership step we will take in the future must be centered on people's welfare, on more prosperous society's economy, good for 2045 Golden Indonesia," he said. (Antaranews)