Indonesia’s debt is expected to remain sustainable this year despite a steep increase in the planned issuance of government bonds to finance the country’s widening budget due to a big COVID-19 stimulus check. Asian Development Bank -ADB Indonesia country economist Yurendra Basnett said that the country had entered the COVID-19 crisis with one of the lowest debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratios in the world, while the government’s lower revenue and higher state spending would likely push the ratio higher. The important point is that the increasing debt-to-GDP ratio will still remain at a sustainable level of below 40 percent. Basnett projected that Indonesia's debt-to-GDP ratio would reach 37.8 percent this year//JP
The imposition of restrictions on movement as an effort to suppress the number of COVID-19 cases in Lebanon since early March also affected the freedom of Indonesian citizens who live there. The condition was responded to by government representatives through the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, to distribute social assistance to Indonesian citizens.The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut distributed social assistance to 160 Indonesian citizens, including Indonesian students, Indonesian Migrant Workers, and Indonesian citizens who were married to local citizens.The Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon, Hajriyanto Y. Thohari, in an official statement on Sunday (April 26) said that the group was the most vulnerable group affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic in Lebanon because the local government restricts movements that impact the income of Indonesian citizens who mostly work in the service sector.He added the assistance was a form of attention of the Indonesian Government to the Indonesian people in Lebanon who were economically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic//PTR
The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) has allocated Rp1.3 trillion for infrastructure development in five National Tourism Strategic Zones (KSPN) in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. The regent of West Manggarai, Agustinus Ch Dulla, in a statement here on Sunday, said the infrastructure development projects for the Labuan Bajo KSPN included water resources, road construction, bridges, accommodation, and housing. Some Rp. 67.7 billion is allocated for the construction of the safety facilities of Loh Buaya Beach on Rinca Island. In addition, funds amounting to Rp420.1 billion will be used for the construction of roads and bridges, the improvement of the Waecicu tourism area road, and the Port access road construction. Meanwhile, the settlement sector will receive Rp. 646.3 billion in funds, for improving the Marina-Bukit Pramuka beach area and Puncak Waringin area//ant
India has allowed small local stores to reopen more than a month after the country went into lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic. The interior ministry said only half of staff should work and they had to follow precautions, such as wearing face masks and observing social distancing. However shopping malls must remain closed and businesses in coronavirus hotspots will also stay shut. The move is part of Delhi's attempt to gradually restart economic activity. India has nearly 25,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 780 people have died. All shops in rural areas except those in shopping malls were allowed to reopen from Saturday, as are stores in urban areas. However shops in markets are to remain closed. However officials said alcohol stores had to remain closed and online shopping platforms could only be used to buy essential items, Indian media reported//BBC