The Indonesia-New Zealand Friendship Council initiated a forum titled "Sustaining the Spirit of Collaboration" in Jakarta, Thursday, as a grassroots diplomacy effort.
"This forum is devoted to the millennial generation, as a second-track diplomacy, which is not at the inter-governmental level. At this forum, citizens of Indonesia and New Zealand can discuss and conduct diplomacy. This is what we want to improve," Chairman of the Indonesia-New Zealand Friendship Council Indradi Soemardjan emphasized.
During the forum supported by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the New Zealand Embassy, several relevant topics on cooperation were discussed between the two countries, such as sustainable agriculture, cultural arts, and technology and innovation.
Indi organized the forum as a venue for sharing and collaboration, especially between businesspersons and members of civil society.
Most speakers at the "Sustaining the Spirit of Collaboration" forum are Indonesian citizens, who have studied in New Zealand or have collaborated in certain fields with New Zealand`s institutions.
Indi believes there is much to be learnt from New Zealand, such as the country`s ability to manage agriculture and sustainable food.
"New Zealand has only some four million people but can produce food for 40 million people. Their expertise will be very beneficial for Indonesia, with even more residents," he stated.
With over six decades of diplomatic relations, Indonesia and New Zealand have achieved varied progress in bilateral cooperation.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs` Director General of Asia-Pacific and Africa Desra Percaya remarked that the two countries` bilateral trade had increased to two billion New Zealand dollars, or around Rp19.25 trillion in 2018, from 1.76 billion New Zealand dollars, or Rp17.6 trillion in 2017.
"The number of tourists and frequency of commercial flights between Auckland and Denpasar also increased," Percaya noted.
In addition, cooperation between Indonesian universities and New Zealand`s educational institutions and research centers is increasing, including in the areas of agriculture and disaster management.
According to Percaya, this achievement is not only supported by partnerships between the two countries but also sound cooperation between businesspersons and civil society.
"The Indonesia-New Zealand community is a reflection of our relationship as friends for good," Percaya stated. (ant)
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February
Indonesia is set to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Australia in March 2019, Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita stated.
"We want to make a business forum in March. We need its scope. It is true (we will sign the CEPA)," he noted in Jakarta last week.
Indonesia and Australia agreed on CEPA when Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had paid a visit to Indonesia in August 2018. Indonesian Trade Minister Lukita and Australian Minister of Trade and Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham had signed a joint declaration of CEPA in the presence of the two countries` leaders.
However, the signing of the CEPA was put on hold following Australia`s plan to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Total trade between the two countries had reached US$8.3 billion last year, with Indonesia suffering a deficit of $3.48 billion. (ant)
February
Indonesia is expected to rank first in terms of global halal tourism and as a Muslim tourist-friendly destination, according to the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) in 2019. Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said on Thursday that Indonesia targeted to take the lead in the world`s halal tourist destinations this year, owing to its halal tourism growth.
"Our halal tourism growth is projected to reach an all-time high of around 42 percent this year," he stated.
For its part, the Tourism Ministry has set the target of halal tourist arrivals in the country for this year at 5 million, up 42 percent from 3.5 million a year earlier, he noted.
"The target of 5 million halal tourist arrivals makes up 25 percent of the target of overall tourist arrivals for this year at 20 million," he added.
To achieve the target, the ministry will use Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI) as a work standard to develop the country`s halal tourism in pursuit of first place in GMTI 2019 to be announced in April 2019, he remarked.
"We have IMTI 2019, which adopts GMTI standards to emerge as the best halal tourist destination in GMTI 2019," he explained.
Yahya noted that the development of halal tourism in the country has so far referred to GMTI 2019, which applies 14 components in the criteria of ACES (Access, Communications, Environment, and Services) with different scores. Access has a score of 10 percent, Communications 15 percent, Environment 30 percent, and Services 45 percent.
"In total, nearly 90 percent is service components and 10 percent is halal component. We strive to increase all the components through IMTI," he revealed.
He expressed hope that Indonesia will be the best after the country and United Arab Emirates finished second last year, with a score of 72.8 out of 100. Malaysia remains atop as the best halal tourist destination in the world, according to GMTI. (ant)
February
February
Newly Appointed Governor, Deputy Governor of East Java and Governor of Jambi Provinces
Published in Program Highlight
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appointed Khofifah Indar Parawansa and Emil Elistianto Dardak as East Java Governor and Deputy Governor of 2019-2024, and Fahrori Umar as Governor of Jambi Province (replacing Zumi Zola) for the remaining term of 2016-2021, in The State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (2/13) afternoon.
Present at the inauguration and taking oath included First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Mrs. Mufidah Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Secretary of Pramono Anung, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of Religion Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, BUMN Minister Rini Soemarno, and Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti.