VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

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)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has instructed Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Head Bahlil Lahadalia to leave no stone unturned in catering to all requirements of investors in Indonesia.

"If the (process to obtain) permit is difficult, I will order the head of BKPM to handle it from A to Z and complete all necessary requirements, so that investors feel they are served well. This is very important," President Jokowi stated at the integrated industrial zone of Batang, Central Java, on Tuesday（6/30）

In addition to reviewing the venue, President Jokowi is scheduled to witness a presentation on redirecting foreign investment to Indonesia.

"I have ordered the minister and the head of BKPM to offer the best possible services to industries that will relocate from China to Indonesia, as well as from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the US," he noted.

Jokowi especially laid emphasis on two types of services, notably those concerning permits and land availability.

According to the head of state, of the total four-thousand-hectare Batang industrial area, work on 450 hectares was already complete.

The best services are crucial since the projects will create job opportunities, he noted.

Minister of State Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir noted that the Batang industrial zone entirely came under state-owned plantation company PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) IX.

"Hence, no problems should be encountered concerning relocation and the licensing process, as everything comes under the authority of PTPN IX. Moreover, we are keen to integrate the Brebes, Kendal industrial area, and no less important the Borobodur tourism area. The Batang industrial zone is part of the efforts to develop manufacturing centers of industrial zones on Java Island that include Cikarang-West Java, Gresik-East Java, and the consolidation of three industrial areas in Central Java as a hub," Thohir explained.

Seven companies have, until now, confirmed to relocate to and join the Batang Industrial zone.

The seven companies are PT Meiloon Technology Indonesia from Suzhou, China; PT Sagami Indonesia from Shenzhen, China; PT CDS Asia (Alpan) from Xiamen, China; PT Kenda Rubber Indonesia from Shenzen; PT Denso Indonesia from Japan; PT Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia from China; and PT LG Electronics Indonesia from South Korea.

In addition to the seven companies, other 17 firms intend to relocate their industries to Indonesia, with investment totaling US$37 billion and would provide employment to an estimated 112 thousand people. (Antara)