VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government will initiate more cooperation forums between Indonesia and Africa to discover Indonesian potential in a bid to boost economic cooperation between Indonesian and African countries. This was stated by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi at the closing of the Indonesia-Africa Forum 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali on Wednesday (April 11^th). In addition, according to Minister Retno, Indonesia will step up consolidation with African countries by setting up a task force for Africa. This task force is to map out policies related to infrastructure development in Africa. Minister Retno further stated that Indonesia and Africa also agreed to enhance financial financing cooperation. In this regard, Minister Retno hopes that the scale and reach of the funding sector through National Interest Account can be expanded for African countries.

“First, Indonesia will initiate more forums both at the government level and at the business level to find, match, and share experience on policy and interests in business. Second, it is effective that we want to consolidate our engagement with Africa by establishing a task force on Indonesian Infrastructure to Africa. Or, we call the task force to Africa. This task force will consist of various ministries or agencies as well as private sectors whose task is to map out and implement infrastructure-related policies with Africa. Third, Indonesia and Africa agreed to improve financing,” said Retno Marsudi.

In addition to these three points, Minister Retno Marsudi also mentioned that during the implementation of Indonesia-Africa  Forum 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia has also succeeded in initiating the establishment of trade agreement in the form of Preferential Trade Agreement with a number of African countries. This is aimed to open the door of cooperation between Indonesia and Africa. (VOI/Ndy/Trans by Rezha)

The visit of Saudi Arabian Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday evening (April 11^th) was welcomed by the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia, Usama Al-Syu'aiby by hosting a dinner at his residence in Jakarta. Vice Chairman of the Middle East Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Oki Muhammad Bawazeer explained that the visit of the Saudi Arabian delegation to Indonesia this time is the second one. Because, the first official delegation visit was that after King Salman visited Indonesia. Oki Muhammad Bawazeer hopes that this is the first step that can be followed-up by other trade delegations in the business sector.

“The first official delegation's visit was that after King Salman visited Indonesia. I think this is a "kick off" or a one step forward that hopefully in the future can be followed-up by trade delegations in various business sectors,” Oki Muhammad Bawazeer said.

Oki Muhammad Bawazeer added that before King Salman's visit to Indonesia last year, the trade value between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia was only about Rp48.3 trillion. But after the visit, the trade value between the two countries increased almost three times to reach 124.2 trillion rupiah. (VOI/Egi/ Trans by Rezha)

Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arcandra Tahar has encouraged Norway to invest in Indonesia`s new and renewable energy (EBT) sector.

"We have to work hard to increase the share of renewable energy use at affordable prices, and we have set an ambitious target to provide 23 percent of the energy mix from renewable energy by 2025," Arcandra Tahar stated while opening the Indonesia-Norway Energy Workshop in Jakarta on Thursday.

He noted that the trend of energy use in the world has begun to shift from fossil energy sources to EBT sources. In line with this, the Government of Indonesia, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, expressed its seriousness in the development of EBT. The ministry demonstrated its commitment by targeting 23 percent EBT in its energy mix for power plants by 2025. To achieve the 23 percent target is not something easy, as it needs strong efforts and assistance from investors, both at home and abroad.

Tahar explained that in order to achieve the 23 percent target, the government has made various efforts, including formulating regulations and tariffs to attract private investors to invest more in renewable energy projects. Tahar also asserted that other parties, including investors both from within the country and abroad, are required to develop progressive renewable energy.

"We ensure that energy development, especially renewable energy, requires foreign investment and cooperation with other countries. It is important for Indonesia and other countries to work together to achieve mutual benefits," the deputy minister noted.

Tahar is encouraging the private sector, including Norwegian investors, to participate in the development of renewable energy in Indonesia, especially in eastern Indonesia, to help the government meet the people`s energy needs.

Director of Multifarious EBT Harris believes that cooperation to develop renewable energy with Norway was the right step forward. Norway has experience in the development of hydropower as energy. Some 98 percent of Norway`s energy requirements are derived from hydroelectric power. Harris further explained that Norway also had the ability to produce EBT-based power generators, such as power plants, wind, water, and solar.

"We invite them to invest their funds in our renewable generation sector, especially those based on hydropower, diesel, wind, and waste," Harris stated.

"If the Norwegians are interested in developing renewable energy in Indonesia, it would be good," Harris added. ( antara )

 Indonesian tin mining company PT Timah Tbk will invest US$26 million or equivalent to Rp356.2 billion to realize the business expansion of the state-owned enterprise in Nigeria.

"The total value of its first phase of cooperation this year with a mining company in Nigeria amounts to $26 million," PT Timah Tbk`s President Director Mochtar Riza Pahlevi Tabrani said in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Province on, Thursday. 

Tabrani was optimistic the presence of PT Timah in Nigeria would open up cooperation opportunities in other forms, especially in the mining and exploration sectors, to supplement the reserves that are being maximized by the mining holding.

"We continue to focus on working on strategic steps to realize the company`s expansion in Nigeria. This is a serious measure taken by Indonesia to enhance economic ties with African countries," he remarked.

Meanwhile, PT Timah`s Corporate Secretary Amin Haris Sugiarto stated the $26-million investment was a follow-up to the signing of an agreement in December 2017 with Nigeria`s Topwide Venture Ltd.

"We will establish a joint venture company (JV Co) soon, which will be the company`s operational representative in Nigeria," he confirmed.

The formation of the JV CO, PT Timah, along with Topwide Venture Ltd, will optimize the mining concession area of 16,000 hectares, he stressed.

"The first phase of production is expected to reach 5,000 metric tons per year. This amount will increase reserves and will make PT Timah the world`s number one tin producer," Amin noted. (antara)