VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

In an effort to develop areas surrounding Suramadu Bridge, East Java provincial government has announced plan to build an integrated Islamic area called Islamic Science Park at the foot of the bridge.

“The park requires 101 hectares of land in which 20 percent of the plot of land will be developed for educational purposes, 30 percent for art purposes, and 50 percent for entertainment purposes,” East Java  Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said in a Coordinating Meeting on the Suramadu Area Development Agency (BPWS) at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Jakarta, Tuesday (14/5).

The park – which is set to be Indonesia’s first Islamic theme park – will be developed by East Java provincial government in collaboration with the developer of Jatim Park, one of the most famous theme parks in the province.

A center for halal food and an augmented reality museum which portrays the story of Wali Songo or nine propagators of Islam in Java will also be built inside the park.

“We will also develop a kris (traditional Javanese dagger) village and batik village which can represent cultural heritage of Madura to the world. We hope Indonesia in general and Madura in particular can become an international tourist destination for Muslim travellers,” Khofifah said, adding that the Maduranese community can welcome new industries in the region as long as it will strengthen Madura’s image as a religious region.

The Governor went on to say that the island of Madura is not only known as a salt producer, but also has large sugar plantations. However, sugar factories have yet to be built in that region. Thus, the Governor expressed hope that the factories will be built immediately.

“I have met with a number of prominent figures in Madura who have recommended me to develop sugar cane factories,” she said.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono have approved to the plan to build the park and sugar cane factories as concrete efforts to develop areas surrounding the Suramadu Bridge.

Nevertheless, East Java Governor has been asked to propose regents and/or heads of local office in the province to join the BPWS. Darmin also suggested involving ulema (Islamic leaders) and prominent figures in Madura as BPWS’s Board of Advisors. (Coordinating Ministry for the Economy PR/ES)

 Indonesian Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita and Argentina's Minister of Production and Labor Dante Enrique Sica agreed to double trade between the two countries from 2018 achievements in the next two years or by 2021. Agreements reached at the meeting bilateral ministers took place on Tuesday (5/14) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

"Indonesia and Argentina agreed that with the potential of the two big countries, the value of both trade is currently too low. For this reason, the two countries agreed to increase trade up to twice in the next two years. In 2018, the trade value of the two countries is recorded at USD 1.7 billion. With a double increase, in 2021 it is expected that a trade balance of USD 3.4 will occur, "explained the Minister of Trade.

According to the Minister of Trade , Argentina responds positively proposal to improve bilateral trade relations. Indonesia and Argentina are regional market hubs in both ASEAN and Mercosur whose potential has not been maximally exploited by the two countries. "Strengthening trade and investment cooperation with Argentina and Mercosur is important in the midst of uncertainty over global economic conditions this year which is expected to continue next year," added Enggar. To achieve this target the two countries will form a work team. "The work team will be on duty as soon as possible to identify ways to increase trade more equitably for Indonesia and study the possibility of negotiating agreements between Indonesia and Argentina and Mercosur," explained the Minister of Trade.

Meanwhile, DanteSica said that the meeting was very positive. "Indonesia is in the same framework. Dante Sica also said the work team could immediately begin to check the potential of trade products that could be increased to achieve the trade target." The work team will involve the Indonesian Embassy and the Argentine Embassy in each the country as a liaison, "added the Minister of Trade. In addition to complementary products, the two Ministers discussed the potential of cooperation in the industrial sector and the possibility of trade returns." The railroad and aircraft industry, as well as infrastructure are the ind "The strategic industry can be increased cooperation with Argentina," explained the Minister of Trade.

After meeting with Minister DanteSica, Trade Minister Enggar continued the meeting with the President of the Argentine Chamber of ImportsRuben Oscar Garcia and the Air of the Committee of Asian Affairs from the Council of Governors for International Relations Ambassador Eduardo Sadous. The two private organizations welcomed Indonesia's proposal to strengthen trade and investment cooperation. Indonesia is seen as having a strong influence in ASEAN which has the potential to become a strategic partner for Argentina and Mercosur. (rel-kemendag)

Indonesia, as current President of the United Nations Security Council, has urged improving the safety and performance of United Nations peacekeepers during the UN Security Council Open Debate on May 2019. The UN Security Council Open Debate, entitled "Investing in Peace: Delivering Quality Training and Capacity Building to Improve Safety and Security and Performance of UN Peacekeepers", was held under the framework of Indonesia's Presidency of the Security Council in May 2019.

The Indonesia government highlighted the theme because of Indonesia’s commitment to the importance of the work of the peacekeepers. The Indonesian government said it believed that adequate preparations would greatly help the success of UN peacekeepers, Director General for Multilateral Affairs of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Febrian Ruddyard said.

He noted that the discussion about peacekeepers is in line with their superior record and the involvement of Indonesian peacekeepers. Indonesia ranked eighth among the 124 largest countries that contribute peacekeepers, with 3,000 personnel involved in various United Nations missions.

"Many countries do not yet match Indonesia's contribution. Obtaining 3,000 personnel is difficult, especially finding those of good quality, since peacekeepers undergo thorough training and many tests, he stated.

He also emphasized the importance of investment in training and developing peacekeepers' skills, which determine the success of the UN peacekeepers’ mission. Indonesia has become one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeepers. The UN peacekeepers have become one of the main components of global partnerships, collective leadership, and shared responsibilities for peace during past decades.

The blue beret corps are peacekeepers who are mandated by the United Nations to protect millions of people in war and conflict areas throughout the world. Meanwhile, peacekeepers remain a source of multilateral collaboration, in an effort to maintain peace.

However, peacekeepers face challenges due to political realities and world safety issues.

Also, safety and performance of peacekeepers are influenced by other factors. These factors include different conflict types, a lack of commitment for political solutions, inadequate preparation, involvement of transnational actors, including terrorists and foreign terrorist fighters (FTF). In fact, peacekeepers are needed to maintain world peace.

Therefore, the Indonesian government encouraged the improvement of safety and performance of UN peacekeepers through upgrading the quality of training and their abilities. Accordingly, Indonesian Foreign minister Retno Marsudi underlined the investment support for improving the quality of training and peacekeepers' abilities.

"We must remember that peacekeepers represent the UN security council. Thus, our support to peacekeepers should be in line with current challenges and conflicts," the minister said. (ant)