VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The arrival of 500 foreign workers in South East Sulawesi's Konawe district will lead to the creation of 5,000 local jobs, Minister of Manpower, Ida Fauziyah, said, defending the decision to allow entry to the workers.

"There are 500 foreign workers scheduled to arrive (in Konawe). With them operating the developed company (that has hired them), then they (the company) can absorb 5,000 local workers, not 5,000 foreign workers," she said in between a meeting with the House of Representatives' Commission IX, as per a statement received here on Wednesday.

Fauziyah further said the company had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Konawe district government on the recruitment of thousands of local workers, which will be carried out gradually.

The number of foreign workers being brought in by the company has also been communicated with the Regional Leadership Communications Forum (Forkopimda), and local governments in South East Sulawesi, including the district and city administrations.

"Of course we also have to ensure the region's readiness and conditions. After everything is prepared, the Foreign Workers Use Plan (RPTKA) will be issued. Once again, we stress that the permit (for the workers’ entry) was issued as there was a commitment (by the company) to employ 5,000 local workers," she added.

In the midst of the impact felt in the employment sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the minister said, she hoped the absorption of thousands of workers could be a solution to generate more jobs.

She said the government is ensuring the foreign workers being brought in have certain skills, are needed by the company, and would be in Indonesia for a certain period of time.

In addition, she also highlighted that there will be a transfer of knowledge from the foreign workers to Indonesian workers, who will carry out operations once they have mastered the technology.

The Ministry of Trade is looking to tap into the North African market to boost exports of food and beverages produced in Indonesia — one of the country’s main export items — amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"The North African region, especially Egypt, is a promising market for processed food products from Indonesia," noted director general of National Export Development at the Ministry of Trade, Kasan, at a web seminar on ‘Access for Indonesian Food Products to the Egyptian Market in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era’.

"Through this virtual seminar, we hope that market access for food products to Egypt can be utilized optimally,” he said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
Indonesia has an opportunity to increase exports of processed food in the global market, he remarked.

"At the moment, we see the opportunity for processed foods to be an alternative sought by the public, as they can be stored longer compared to fresh food. People also tend to prefer cooking at home and [using] products that are nutritious, safe, and hygienic," Kasan observed.

He said the pandemic has affected global trade in many ways: global trade patterns have changed, logistics costs have increased, trade cooperation has been rendered ineffective, and the threat of a global economic recession is looming.

The COVID-19 crisis has also had an impact on domestic trade: it has increased potential for inflation in prices of staples and important goods due to logistics and distribution disruptions, inter-island trade has been interrupted, there have been changes in consumption patterns, and purchasing power of people has weakened.

In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has developed several strategies to increase exports of Indonesian processed foods in the global market. The first strategy involves determining the focus of the market and making superior export products, Kasan said.

Five Indonesian processed food products dominated exports to Egypt in 2019, including sauces, herbs and spices; processed fish, tuna; sugar confectionery, excluding, cocoa; and, processed sardines. In addition, fishery products, food preparations, coffee, chocolate, biscuits, and snacks are some food products Indonesia could potential ship to Egypt, he pointed out.

The second strategy involves increasing market penetration by completing negotiations and overcoming trade barriers, as well as strengthening trade promotions and branding. Efforts to increase market penetration can also be carried out through the organization of virtual seminars, exploration of virtual trade agreements, and exportation of assistance during the pandemic, Kasan said.

The third strategy involves strengthening the role of foreign trade representatives, and the fourth centers on providing export and import relaxation for export destinations.
"We continue to strive to [find ways to] contribute to increasing exports, one of which is facilitating trade activities,” Kasan said adding, the potential of different markets needs to be explored so that exports of Indonesian products, especially processed food, can continue to increase.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Trade Attache in Cairo, Irman Adi Purwanto Moefthi, said that trade representatives will soon form a forum to promote trade activities in Egypt.

The aim is to help businesses connect with buyers and capitalize on available market opportunities, he noted. (ANTARA)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) believes Indonesia's financial status upgrade to "upper middle income country," from "lower middle income," according to the World Bank’s announcement should be an opportunity to emerge from "the middle income trap".
"This status upgrade is one aspect that we should grateful for and treat as an opportunity for moving forward, taking an advanced leap as we strive to become a 'high income country' as well as getting out from the 'middle income trap',' Jokowi emphasized.
The World Bank's announcement on July 1 cited that Indonesia’s gross national income per capita had increased to US$4,050, from $3,840.

This status upgrade is also a notable starting point for Indonesia to later become a developed nation, Adi Budiarso, an official of the finance ministry, remarked at another occasion, adding that the country essentially looks forward to what to fight for in order to be in that position.

Budiarso perceives that the challenge ahead of huge concern is boosting Indonesia's competitiveness, as it is ranked 50th worldwide, falling from 45th last year, according to the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI).  (ANTARA)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) believes Indonesia's financial status upgrade to "upper middle income country," from "lower middle income," according to the World Bank’s announcement should be an opportunity to emerge from "the middle income trap".
"This status upgrade is one aspect that we should grateful for and treat as an opportunity for moving forward, taking an advanced leap as we strive to become a 'high income country' as well as getting out from the 'middle income trap',' Jokowi emphasized.
The World Bank's announcement on July 1 cited that Indonesia’s gross national income per capita had increased to US$4,050, from $3,840.

This status upgrade is also a notable starting point for Indonesia to later become a developed nation, Adi Budiarso, an official of the finance ministry, remarked at another occasion, adding that the country essentially looks forward to what to fight for in order to be in that position.

Budiarso perceives that the challenge ahead of huge concern is boosting Indonesia's competitiveness, as it is ranked 50th worldwide, falling from 45th last year, according to the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI).  (ANTARA)