VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The long-awaited direct flight between Indonesia and Cambodia will finally be realized this year. Citilink Indonesia, a subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia, will launch its inaugural flight for the Jakarta - Phnom Penh route in June 2019 three times a week, 'said the Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Sudirman Haseng at the opening of the Press Conference on the Preparation of the Opening of Direct Jakarta Flights - Phnom Penh last weekend at the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism in Phnom Penh.

The Press Conference organized by the Ministry of Tourism was attended by around 45 people consisting of the Minister of Tourism and its staff, tourism and hospitality associations Cambodia, and local media. In the question and answer session, all seemed to rejoice and appreciate the launch of the Indonesia-Cambodia direct flight which is believed to bring the people and the private sector closer together. The leaders of the tourism association also expect cooperation between Citilink and travel / tour operator agents.

"Direct flights Indonesia-Cambodia  are now no longer a dream, but a reality, I thank the Government of Indonesia, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Citilink Airline and various other parties for their good support and cooperation in realizing our shared dreams," said Dr. Thong Khon, Cambodian Minister of Tourism at the Press Conference.

Direct flights between Indonesia and Cambodia have gone through various discussions since the inception of this idea. Many Indonesian airlines have studied Cambodia's market share and reports show that market factors are still the main obstacle to realizing these direct flights. "The two Governments agree that direct flights are very important to expand bilateral cooperation relations in various sectors such as trade, tourism and investment and increase people-to-people contacts," the Indonesian Ambassador added.

Meanwhile, Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Heriyanto as a representative of Citilink Indonesia's management said that Jakarta-Phnom Penh direct flights are expected to begin in June 2019 from Soekarno Hatta Airport Low Cost Carier Terminal with 180-seat Airbus A320. The Jakarta-Phnom Penh route is the third new international route this year after Surabaya-Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur. Citilink also has commercial flights to Penang, Dili and Timor Leste. Heriyanto stated that Citilink is an LCC premium that serves free meals and wifi during flights.

The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh continues to work to convince airlines from Indonesia to open direct flights to Cambodia. Ambassador Sudirman Haseng believes that direct flights will be one of the important stepping stones in improving bilateral relations between Indonesia and Cambodia. In addition, 2019 is a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, so that Citilink's first flight to Phnom Penh on May 29 is not only a great achievement but also a valuable gift for the anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Cambodia .

Seeing the increase in the number of trips from Cambodia to foreign countries which reached around 2 million tourists last year and the development of the tourism sector in Cambodia which is very good, direct flights are very attractive and will increase the number of tourist visits of the two countries. In 2018, more than 8,000 Cambodians visited Indonesia and more than 55,000 Indonesians visited Cambodia. This flight is also a breakthrough to provide a fast and easy route for more than 3500 Indonesian residents living in Cambodia. With the above considerations, without a doubt the two countries need to work together to improve their tourism destinations and expand cooperation in the interests of both countries.

In the end, the long wait is over and let's hope that this direct flight is the beginning of a new dream in expanding the horizons and relations between the two countries. (Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh)

The Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the launch of the new Panchagarh Express train to serve Bangladesh's longest railway line that connects the Dhaka Capital with the city of Panchagarh on the northwestern tip last weekend. The Panchagarh Express uses a modern railroad car made by PT INKA Indonesia.

"The train made by PT INKA Indonesia has helped Bangladesh to improve intercity connectivity in Bangladesh," said Indonesian Ambassador Rina Soemarno who was present at the inauguration ceremony of Panchagarh Express in PM Sheikh Hasina's "Gonobhaban" official residence in Dhaka.

In the period of the past month, there have been 2 initial launches of intercity train lines using trains made by PT INKA. Previously on April 25, 2019, the launch of the Bonolota Express train has been serving the nonstop Rajshahi-Dhaka line.

PT INKA's railroad cars which were inaugurated by Bangladeshi PM through videoconferencing are part of the 250 passenger train cars ordered by Bangladesh and will be sent in full in 2019. The 250 passenger trains will join the other 200 cars made by PT INKA which have been sent to Bangladesh in 2006 and 2016.

"Bangladesh needs more modern passenger trains to increase intercity and provincial connectivity across the country. At the same time, the railway network in Bangladesh will be increasingly expanded and modernized to support poverty alleviation programs and improve people's lives, "PM Sheikh Hasina said in the inauguration speech at the Panchagarh Express.

On this occasion the Ambassador Rina Soemarno also stressed, "Indonesia is ready to continue to support the development and modernization of the Bangladesh railroad system. Indonesia is also committed to be a trusted partner of Bangladesh in development and achieving prosperity ".

The Panchagarh Express will serve the longest railway line in Bangladesh,  593 km, which is traveled for around 7 hours. The presence of Panchagarh Express will make it easier for Bangladeshi people to transport, do business and undergo intercity activities. The longest railway line in Bangladesh will depart daily from Panchagarh train station and transit at 4 stations before reaching Dhaka. ( Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka)

The Indonesian government and Inpex Corporation have reached an agreement in the development of the giant gas field in the Masela Block in the Arafuru Sea, Maluku. The investment value of the Masela Block development will reach around 20 billion US dollars.

"Both parties succeeded in achieving a win-win solution with a revenue-sharing scheme, where the government received at least 50 percent," Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Ignasius Jonan said after meeting with CEO of Inpex Corporation Takayuki Ueda in Tokyo, Japan, Monday ( 27/5).

The historic final agreement was marked by the signing of the Minute of Meeting by Head of SKK Migas Dwi Soetjipto and CEO of Inpex Corporation Takayuki Ueda, witnessed by ESDM Minister Ignasius Jonan.

"Finally INPEX and SKK Migas agreed on the main points of the development of the Masela block this afternoon in Tokyo. The discussion has been going on for 18 years. The investment value is between 18-20 billion US dollars with fair distribution for the Republic of Indonesia and contractors. I was touched, "said Jonan.

The signing of the agreement between the Government of Indonesia and Inpex Corporation, according to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, is planned to be held at the G20 countries meeting in Japan in the near future.

Thus the discussion of the Masela Block which has lasted more than 20 years has found an end point, which will have a positive impact on improving the national investment climate and the development of the eastern region of Indonesia.

This meeting is a follow-up meeting of Jonan's meeting with Ueda on May 16 in Tokyo. At a meeting on May 16, the Masela Block's Final Plan of Development (PoD) framework was agreed upon in the Arafuru Sea, Maluku. While at today's meeting discussed the detailed negotiations of the framework, so that an agreement between the Indonesian government and the Japanese Inpex Corporation could be signed immediately.

In this meeting, Jonan was accompanied by the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Arifin Tasrif, Head of SKK Migas Dwi Soetjipto, Deputy Head of SKK Migas Sukandar, and SKK Migas Planning Deputy Jafee Suardin. (kemenesdm)

Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi, is directed to become a favorite fishing tourist destination with various supporting resources.

Honorary Adviser to the Minister of Tourism, Indroyono Soesilo, during the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Marine Tourism Development "recreational fishing" in Jakarta, last week, said that Banggai with all its natural wealth is very potential to be developed as a tourist favorite fishing destination .

"In the FGD, it was agreed that the Banggai waters would be suitable fishing destinations that would be of interest to tourists," said Indroyono, who is also the Chair of the Tourism Ministry's Maritime Tourism Acceleration Team.

The event was attended by the Governor of Central Sulawesi, Longki Djanggola, Regent of Banggai, Regent of Banggai Islands, Regent of Banggai Laut, representative of Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Fisheries, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, FORMASI, and Ship Association Indonesian Cruise.

Indroyono also explained that there were several reasons that could make Banggai a world-class fishing destination. First is the presence of the Banggai exotic fish "Cardinal Fish". Secondly, Banggai waters become a migration path for tuna. Precisely, from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean.

Banggai waters with Peleng Bay are the locations of Indonesian history where in July 1962, there were hundreds of warships and troop transports gathered in the waters of Peleng Bay.

"With the strength of 45,000 soldiers, the TNI was ready to invade West Irian in the context of Operation Trikora Liberation of West Irian. A Trikora Monument is built in Banggai as a marker and historical tourist destination, "he said.

Furthermore, Indroyono explained that to realize Banggai as a world-class fishing tourist destination, an international fishing competition will be held called Banggai International Tuna Fishing Tournament 2019. The plan is to hold the September 27-29 2019 event.

Later, the participants will be directed to fishing for several types of fish. Such as skipjack tuna, yellow fin tuna, big eye tuna, and bluefin tuna.

"This activity is at the same time a trial before becoming an annual event. In addition to fishing activities, tournament participants will hold 'joy sailing' to the Banggai Kepulauan Regency region. The goal is to enjoy traditional Banggai culture and cuisine. At the same time, watching a demonstration of fishing for tuna using kites, "he said.

All FGD participants, both at the center and the Central Sulawesi region, agreed to succeed this international event. The plan, socialization activities and promotion of the Banggai International event for the 2019 Tuna Fishing Tournament will begin on June 14, 2019.

Indroyono said, the presence of Banggai would make the Indonesian marine tourism map more complete. Previously, there was Sabang in Aceh Province which became the spot for The International Free Diving Competition.

There are also Nias-North Sumatra, Simelue-Aceh, Krui-Lampung, Keramas-Bali, and Mandalika-Lombok with the International Professional Surfing Competition Series event. As for Kupang, Tual, Seram, North Buton, and Bawean, it has also been famous for being a rally track for Sail Indonesia participants every year. (kemenpar)