VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the House of Representatives to finalize the formulation of the law on entrepreneurship to boost the country`s economy. "I agree that this law on entrepreneurship could be finalized soon by the parliament. It involves economic acceleration, and for start-ups, this is very important," Jokowi said at the opening of a plenary session of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) in Tangerang, Banten Province on Wednesday.

According to the president, the law would encourage the emergence of new entrepreneurs in Indonesia. Jokowi has also emphasized the need for start-ups to improve their businesse and grow faster. The head of state has called on HIPMI to give its support for businessmen outside Jakarta and Java Island.

He applauded the association`s campaign to encourage entrepreneurship among students through its program of HIPMI Goes to School and HIPMI Goes to Campus. The president has opened the potential for cooperation between HIPMI and ministries in a bid to increase the number of entrepreneurs in Indonesia. ( antara ) 

Comedian Indonesia, Cak Percil and Cak Yudho today (7/3) has been free from detention in Hong Kong. CONSULATE GENERAL of Hong Kong is preparing plans return of the two comedians to Indonesia . @kjrihkg

Indonesia has the potential to export passenger trains manufactured by a state-owned company to Chicago, the United States, a state envoy stated in a press release made available to ANTARA here on Wednesday.

"There is potential for Indonesia to sell passenger trains to the Chicago Transit Authority," Indonesian Consul General Rosmalawati Chalid noted after meeting with Carole Morey, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) chief planning officer, and Michael Connelly, the CTA vice president scheduling and service planning, on Mar 5.

The meeting was initiated by the Indonesian consul general in Chicago to facilitate Indonesian trains to foray into the US market.

The CTA is a transportation company that operates rapid transit system for Chicago and its nearby areas called "The Chicago L" that has elevated and underground railways.

At the meeting, the CTA highlighted its needs to provide thousands of new passenger trains in the next five years in order to expand its route to northern and southern Chicago, which have been developed as business and housing areas.

Besides this, the CTA is planning to modernize its train fleet that has been used for over three decades on an average.

"I hope the trains manufactured by PT INKA would penetrate the US market and be used for CTA`s modernization," Chalid noted.

PT INKA, an Indonesian state-owned train manufacturer, had exported thousands of passenger trains to Bangladesh.

The current passenger trains of CTA were produced by a Canadian company Bombardier, and the United States is widely known to be manufacturing its own trains.

However, Chalid noted that the Chinese CRRC Corp will offer competition to Indonesia, as it has already won the bidding to supply passenger trains valued at US$1.309 billion for CTA`s train modernization in 2016.

President Joko Widodo reviewed the recent condition of the Sentul Circuit in Bogor District, West Java Province, to be readied as one of the tracks for holding the MotoGP tournament in 2021.

"I have inspected the Sentul Circuit along with Tinton and Ananda Mikola to be readied as one of the MotoGP tracks. I said the government will support it," Jokowi stated here on Tuesday ( 6 / 3 ) 

Former racer Tinton Suprapto and his son Ananda Mikola accompanied the president during the inspection.

President Widodo rode the presidential vehicle along with security personnel for a lap to check the condition of the track. He stated that the government will fully support the development of the Sentul Circuit to become a world-class racing arena. President Widodo said the renovation of Sentul Circuit can contribute to widespread positive development in Indonesia.

"The racing competition is good. As we know, the motorcycle market in Indonesia is huge. There are at least 19 million users. We can channelize the potential of motorcycle fans in Indonesia," Jokowi noted in connection with the development of the national automotive industry.

He added that development of the Sentul Circuit can also contribute to the tourism sector.

"I believe the tourism sector can be boosted through the development. I hope Tinton and Ananda Mikhola would begin to develop the circuit, so that MotoGP 2021 can be held in Indonesia," Jokowi added.

Funds to renovate Sentul Circuit have been sourced from private sectors.

Additionally, Mikhola remarked that development of the Sentul Circuit is targeted for completion in 2020.

"We believe the development will be completed in 2020, as the infrastructure has been readied," Mikhola revealed.

Mikhola stated that Indonesia must be confident and optimistic of building quality and advanced infrastructure to hold world-class races. (antara)