VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) - Bali Governor Wayan Koster has postponed the reopening of the resort island to foreign tourists, which was planned for September 11, 2020, due to the continued spread of coronavirus infections.

"We have considered this, we are postponing (the reopening of Bali to international tourists) until the situation in Bali and worldwide is conducive," Koster told the press here on Wednesday.

Bali authorities had originally planned to reopen the island for tourism in three phases, starting with the decision to allow local residents to visit tourist sites in the area from July 9. The island was reopened for domestic travelers residing across Indonesia from July 31.

As part of the third phase of reopening, the authorities intended to allow international travelers back on the island from September 11.

The decision to postpone the entry of foreign tourists to the island has been driven by the increased number of COVID-19 cases and public indiscipline in observing the health protocols, Koster informed.

Koster said he has met with representatives of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (IHRA) and asked the association to impose sanctions or revoke the licenses of members who fail to comply with the health protocols.

"The key is that we have to be disciplined and implement the health protocols for an effective handling of COVID-19," he stated.

Koster has issued a gubernatorial regulation (no. 46/2020) on law enforcement on health protocols, urging the public and tourism operators to remain disciplined in the implementation of health protocols.

The government is committed to strengthening social protection and food security, President Joko Widodo stressed while presenting the draft state budget at the DPR-RI Plenary Session for 2020-2021 here on Friday.

“For food security in 2021, around Rp104.2 trillion has been budgeted which will be directed at boosting food commodity production,” President Joko Widodo said.
The President said efforts to encourage food commodity production were carried out by building infrastructure and utilization technology.

In addition, the efforts included the revitalization of the national food system by strengthening farmer and fisherman corporations, food distribution, and development of scale food areas (food estate) to increase food productivity.

The government has also committed to improving the welfare of farmers and fishermen by targeting the Farmer Exchange Rate (NTP) and Fisherman Exchange Rate (NTN) of 102-104 in 2021.

As for the commitment to strengthen social protection, the social protection budget in 2021 of Rp419.3 trillion will be directed at accelerating social recovery and supporting the gradual reform of the social protection system.

Social protection measures are being carried out through the provision of assistance to the community through the family hope program, basic food cards, cash assistance, and pre-employment cards; encouragement of a comprehensive social protection reform program based on the life cycle; and, anticipating the aging population.

They also include improving the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) and improving the mechanism for channeling social protection programs, as well as strengthening monitoring and evaluation.

“Reform of the social protection system is very important in supporting efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in 2024,” the President explained. (ANTARA)

The government is committed to strengthening social protection and food security, President Joko Widodo stressed while presenting the draft state budget at the DPR-RI Plenary Session for 2020-2021 here on Friday.

“For food security in 2021, around Rp104.2 trillion has been budgeted which will be directed at boosting food commodity production,” President Joko Widodo said.
The President said efforts to encourage food commodity production were carried out by building infrastructure and utilization technology.

In addition, the efforts included the revitalization of the national food system by strengthening farmer and fisherman corporations, food distribution, and development of scale food areas (food estate) to increase food productivity.

The government has also committed to improving the welfare of farmers and fishermen by targeting the Farmer Exchange Rate (NTP) and Fisherman Exchange Rate (NTN) of 102-104 in 2021.

As for the commitment to strengthen social protection, the social protection budget in 2021 of Rp419.3 trillion will be directed at accelerating social recovery and supporting the gradual reform of the social protection system.

Social protection measures are being carried out through the provision of assistance to the community through the family hope program, basic food cards, cash assistance, and pre-employment cards; encouragement of a comprehensive social protection reform program based on the life cycle; and, anticipating the aging population.

They also include improving the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) and improving the mechanism for channeling social protection programs, as well as strengthening monitoring and evaluation.

“Reform of the social protection system is very important in supporting efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in 2024,” the President explained. (ANTARA)

The Ministry of Cooperatives and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has urged MSME players to adapt their businesses and focus on product innovation in order to survive the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"One of the main things that must be done by MSMEs to survive in this period is (focus on) the necessity for adapting (their) business and exploring product innovation, so that they can adapt to market demand," Special Staff to the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, Fiki Satari, said in an online discussion in Jakarta on Wednesday.

In addition, Fiki said that government support for MSMEs in this difficult time is enmeshed with efforts to accelerate the digital transformation of MSMEs so that they can survive and carry out business activities, and also compete in the market.

The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector has been the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many MSMEs have lost their source of income and have been unable to pay installments. Many have been forced to close due to reduced income in wake of the pandemic.

During the online discussion on Wednesday, CEO of Midtrans, Erwin Tanudjaja, explained that the use of digital platforms has now become a necessity for MSMEs for selling products.

“We are fully aware, in this current situation, facilitating the transition and adaptation of hundreds of MSMEs in Indonesia to the online realm through digitalization efforts has become a priority,” Erwin said.

Meanwhile, CEO and co-founder, Moka Haryanto Tanjo, said that digital transformation will help MSMEs to survive in this difficult time.
"Not only in terms of online sales, digital-based operational management solutions are also important to be implemented in business," said Haryanto.
By utilizing a digital system in business operations, it is hoped that MSME players will become more responsive in analyzing sales and making important business decisions, he added. (ANTARA)