VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi considers the implementation of the Indonesian Diaspora Congress to be held at the right time. According to her, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently initiating a Road Map to increase the role of the diaspora in national development. At the same time, the Ministry of National Development Planning and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) will also include policies to strengthen the role of the diaspora in national development in the 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

"This effort is expected to later become a guide for ministries and institutions in Indonesia as well as other stakeholders to maximally increase the role of the diaspora in various sectors such as the economy and socio-culture," she said in a speech at the 7th Indonesian Diaspora Congress, Saturday (12/8), in Jakarta, read by Expert Staff for Socio-Culture and Empowerment of Indonesian Communities Abroad, Siti Nugraha Mauludiah.

Retno added that the recovery of various sectors after the pandemic in Indonesia requires contributions from various parties. According to her, this effort is not easy considering the global situation that is still full of challenges.

"We always try to invite all parties to move together towards a better situation. This will certainly become easier if Indonesia's image in the eyes of the international community is relatively good," she said.

She explained that the image in question is not only through advertising impressions in various media, but will be more meaningful with the recognition of the superiority of Indonesian products and the quality of Indonesian human resources.

"Of course, it is also the result of the contribution of the Indonesian diaspora. Increasing the excellence of Indonesian production can also be assisted by the Indonesian diaspora through efforts to build cooperation and expand the export reach of Indonesian products through networking Indonesian diasporas investing in Indonesia," she said.

In addition, she also hopes that the diaspora contribution is not only centered on the economic sector but also in various sectors according to the capacity of the diaspora. According to her, the diaspora can continue to contribute in shaping a positive image of Indonesia to support national development through the vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045. (VOI/Andy)