VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) stated that the acceleration of construction of national strategic projects (PSNs) is of the essence in the efforts to realize an equitable economy in regions.

Kadin's Deputy Chairperson for Maritime, Investment, and Foreign Affairs Coordination, Shinta Kamdani, made the statement while attending the Conference on National Strategic Projects Day-2 in Jakarta on Thursday.

"The acceleration of PSN construction is crucial in the efforts to realize an equitable economy in the hopes of fulfilling the people's basic necessities, elevating their living standard, and stimulating development in regions," Kamdani remarked.

On the occasion, she highlighted data provided by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) in 2022, outlining that 56.48 percent and 22.04 percent of contribution to Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) were made by Java and Sumatra Islands respectively.

On the other hand, the combined GDP of Maluku and Papua regions is still stuck at the figure below 10 percent, trailing behind the combined contribution of Kalimantan, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara regions.

Furthermore, she spotlighted the importance of improving the quality of human resources in the country, adding that Kadin is currently paying close attention not only to infrastructure development but also to the quality of human resources.

"We are prioritizing both the developments of infrastructure and human resources. To enhance the latter, we are striving to provide training and educational courses in the hopes of developing talents. It should be noted that PSNs require a capable workforce," she explained.

According to Kamdani, Indonesia will have to tackle various challenges ahead, especially on account of the fact that the world is currently experiencing a highly dynamic economic situation, wherein countries witness increased inflation rate and also a high pressure on the banking sector.

According to Kamdani, the world will experience a decline in economic activities in the remaining months of this year as compared to 2022.

Hence, she placed emphasis on the importance of strengthened collaboration between the government and business actors in order to be able to survive amid the economic uncertainty.

Kamdani then expressed hope that Kadin would be able to optimally play its role in bridging the gap between the government and business actors, so they can intensify communication and cooperation, particularly regarding efforts to complete the construction of PSNs.

"Kadin is supporting the completion of PSNs through a strong advocacy. We always prioritize the so-called public-private partnership scheme since we believe that the government as well as business players cannot work separately. Collaboration is needed," she concluded. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated that Governmental Regulation (PP) No. 36 of 2023 can increase foreign exchange reserves (FER) to US$300 billion.

Pandjaitan remarked at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base here on Thursday that the regulation requires exporters in the natural resources sector to store at least 30 percent of Foreign Exchange of Export Earnings (DHE) in the domestic financial system, with a minimum period of three months.

"We ask them to keep (DHE) domestically for three months, and Bank Indonesia (BI) will give interests. Hence, our foreign exchange reserves can reach US$300 billion this year," he noted before accompanying President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to fly to China.

Meanwhile, according to the Bank Indonesia (BI) data, as of June 2023, Indonesia's FER had been measured at US$137.5 billion.

Furthermore, he said that PP No. 36 of 2023 on DHE from Natural Resource Management, which was signed by President Jokowi on July 12, 2023, is very important.

DHE stored in the domestic financial industry can benefit the economy, he remarked.

"DHE is very important. Domestically circulating funds from exports of mines can be up to US$9 billion," he noted.

The regulation also stipulates that the placement of DHE from natural resource exports must be carried out no later than the end of the third month after the registration month of the Export Customs Notice (PPE).

The DHE can be deposited in a special bank account, other banking instruments, financial instruments issued by Indonesia Eximbank (LPEI), or instruments issued by BI.

Moreover, the regulation states that "in the event of macroeconomic and/or financial system stability disruptions, conversion can be made to the DHE deposited in the DHE special account in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations."

Exporters, who have domestically deposited DHE from natural resources, can be granted taxation facilities and be designated as reputable exporters. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will discuss the development of electric cars at a meeting with company leaders in China on July 27-28, 2023.

"Later, in the CEOs' meeting, we will discuss aspects related to electric cars," Jokowi noted at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base here on Thursday before departing for a working visit to Chengdu, China.

CEOs in China that will meet Jokowi are leaders of companies that have and will invest in Indonesia, especially in the industrial downstreaming, petrochemicals, renewable energy, and health sectors.

In China, President Jokowi will also conduct a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Responding to questions on the topics of discussion, he noted that at every meeting with Xi, developments in the South China Sea are always brought up.

Jokowi said he undertook the visit to China to also fulfill President Xi Jinping's invitation as well as the fact that it coincides with the 10 years of Indonesia-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

"I will discuss priority agendas with President Xi, both in investment and Indonesia-China strategic projects, as well as trade and health and regional and global issues," he remarked.

In Chengdu, Jokowi is scheduled to attend the FISU World University Games to support the Indonesian team that participates in the multi-sport event.

The president is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

During his visit to Chengdu, President Jokowi is accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, and Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia's economic growth is the second-highest among G20 countries, as stated by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto on Wednesday.

"We can see that Indonesia's economic growth is higher than other countries, even among the largest countries in the G20. Indonesia's economic growth stands at 5.03 percent, making it the second-highest among them," he said at the National Strategic Projects (PSN) Conference in Jakarta.

Despite the current complex and multiple levels of global economic problems, such as inflation, wars, and the energy crisis, Indonesia's economic position remains quite strong, Hartarto noted.

He also highlighted that Indonesia's Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) is still at an expansive level of 52.7, which is a positive sign for the economy.

Furthermore, to escape the middle-income trap by 2035, the community must take advantage of the demographic bonus that will last for the next 13 years, he added.

Hartarto emphasized that the key to significant economic growth is infrastructure development. Therefore, PSN projects are being prepared comprehensively to support national economic transformation policies in the short and long term.

Regarding short-term policies, PSN projects are being implemented through several programs, including providing incentives to attract investment in special economic zones (KEK), developing industrial estates, and accelerating regional development.

Other programs include the economic equity program, the program to increase food sovereignty through food estates, and the issuance of derivative regulations of Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning Job Creation.

Hartarto informed that for long-term policies, PSNs are implemented by increasing connectivity through toll road projects, railways, airports, ports, and other basic infrastructure.

Additionally, PSNs focus on strengthening national energy security through the provision of oil and gas infrastructure, electricity, and processing refineries, as well as accelerating digital transformation and the production of digital talent.

Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), Basuki Hadimuljono, also stated on the same occasion that PSNs are very important to spur infrastructure development in order to enhance Indonesia's economic growth in the future.

"This infrastructure is the foundation for designing economic growth in Indonesia," he added. (Antaranews)