VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Trade Minister, Enggartiasto Lukita and South Korea Trade Minister, Hyun Chong Kim met in Jakarta on February 19 to discuss the way to enhance trade and economy relations between the two countries. During the meeting the two ministers agreed to reactivate Indonesia - Korea comprehensive economic partnership agreement (IK-CEPA). When met during the Indonesia - Korea business forum in Shangrilla Hotel, Jakarta on Tuesday (Feb19), Minister Enggartiasto mentioned that the initiation is targeted to reach 30 billion US Dollar.

"Relaunch of the agreement is also continued with Bisnis Forum which bring together Indonesian and Korean entrepreneurs. Therefore the target set by the two heads of states worth 30 billion US dollar in the next three years can be achieved. We agreed that the agreement will be signed in November at the meeting of the two heads of states, meaning that it must substantially be completed before November" Minister Enggratiasto said. 

Minister Enggartiasto added that this negotiation aims to reach both countries bilateral economy target that is expected will increase bilateral trade and investment relations to the highest level// NK

Diplomatic Corner with information from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Cambodian government stated that the country was interested to learn from Indonesia about halal products, along with the increasing demand of such product in the market. Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Sudirman Haseng to Antaranews in Phnom Penh, Saturday (16/2) said, muslims filled 5 percent of the population in Cambodia, so that Cambodian government saw the possibility of increasing demand for halal product. According to him, Cambodia saw Indonesia as a model country with potential for knowledge transfer and cooperation in producing halal goods in the country.

Still from Cambodia.

Products from some Indonesian pharmaceutical companies had entered Cambodian market and received increasing demand. Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Sudirman Haseng to Antaranews in Phnom Penh, Saturday (16/2) said, demand for Indonesian pharmaceutical products especially the general medicines such as flu, cough, and fever significantly increased in Cambodian market. Cambodia is therefore a very potential market for Indonesian pharmaceutical products.

Now we move to Tehran, Iran.

Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, cooperating with Indonesian Tourism Ministry and Ternate City Government, held a national tourism promotion night themed “Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Promotion” in Tehran, Tuesday (12/2). In his remarks, Indonesian Ambassador for Iran Octavino Alimudin convey greetings for the 40^th Anniversary of Iran Islamic Revolution. He added, Indonesia as a friend country, as the country with biggest Muslim population had established cooperation with Iran since long. Both countries then agreed to increase and expand cooperation, among many in tourism sector.

Ministry of Environment and Forestry along with PT Pertamina and Indonesia Power held a clean beach activity on the beach of Kejawanan, Cirebon, West Java on Friday (15/2). Together with around 1.000 participants consisting of students, government employees, the community, and the general public, Minister Siti Nurbaya cleaned the garbage along the coast. Since 2015, the Ministry has carried out this activity in several regions in Indonesia. When met during the event, Minister Siti Nurbaya said that it is better to clean the coast and turn it into gold rather than debate.

"The amount of waste is around 1.2 million tons a year. So actually, this picture is not as bad as it was stated that Indonesia is number two in the world. But instead of debating about it, we better get our beaches clean, the garbage also changes not to become garbage again but to become a resource. Now, the target of the Indonesian government is that the area must be free from rubbish but its waste must also be a resource for the economy. There has been a lot of research; there are many technologies ... just how the business by the government is facilitated by the business world and the community. For example, in a plastic recycling association or major private companies, making waste becomes electricity. " Minister said. 

Minister Siti Nurbaya further stated that the regional government has carried out local initiatives to reduce waste, especially plastic. To reduce plastic waste globally, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing will use plastic as an asphalt mixture. (NK/RHM)

Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar and the Minister of Climate and Environment of Norway, Ola Elvestuen, announced that the two countries have been launching a new phase of their landmark bilateral climate and forest partnership since 2010. The two countries have agreed to the rules for results-based payments from Norway to Indonesia to reduce the emissions. During a joint press conference on Saturday (16/02) in Jakarta, Norwegian Climate and Environment Minister, Ola Elbeatuen said that Indonesia have to reach the 41 percent of gas emission reduce according to the Paris Agreement.

"For Indonesia the goal is to reduce by 41 percent with international cooperation so the Norwegian cooperation with Indonesia would be one part together to reach the committment but the main committment is Indonesia and what we can do to support it. Well they have our technical team that work continouslly with Indonesia so I think this is really a cooperation also that has influenced here in Indonesia but also international and it create standard with the work that we also have with other nations in forestry" Norway climate and environment Minister, Ola Elvestuen said. 

According to the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Indonesia has implemented a number of critical forms of land and forest use for several years. The Indonesian government has introduced new ways to protect forests including a ban on destroying primary forests and peatlands. Indonesia has also conducted a review of the consistency of the existence of forests and agriculture and the proliferation of forest crimes. More importantly, customary and other communities now have the right to use land. (VOI/NUKE/AHM)