VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Persahabatan Hospital in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Indonesia and Indonesian Pulmonary Doctor Association held the World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day 2019 in the Car Free Day area, Jakarta on Sunday (Dec15). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and limited respiratory airflow due to abnormalities in the airways. It was remarked by the Chief organizing committee of the COPD Day Budhi Antariksa on the sidelines of the COPD Commemoration in Jakarta on Sunday (Dec15). Budhi explained that COPD is caused among others by pollution and smoke.

"Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is commonly experienced by smokers and those who are exposed to pollution. The number of smokers in Indonesia is still high. COPD usually affects people at the age of 45 years and above, usually between 45 to 50 and above. The increasing life expectancy will also increase the risk of COPD. The third factor is that Jakarta is known to have high pollution. Pollution is one of the factors of COPD, said Budhi Antariksa.

Budi Antariksa further stated that with 3 million deaths each year, COPD is the fourth biggest cause of death. It is predicted to be the third biggest cause of death by 2020// (AHM)

The era of the industrial revolution 4.0 makes it easier for the regional governments to propose rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance through E-Proposal Application launched by National Disaster Mitigation Agency –BNPB.  This was revealed by Chief Secretary of BNPB, Harmensyah after opening the National Seminar on Policy Reform and Strategy for Post-Social Economic Recovery Disasters in the revolutionary era 4.0 in Jakarta, Wednesday (11/12).

"In the recovery, we along with BNPB will soon prepare a rehabilitation action plan. Now, we make it easier for the regions. Later the regions don't need to deal with BNPB; that's enough with E-Proposals. This makes it easier for regions to make their proposals. Through this way, we can quickly conduct evaluations and assessments of their proposals," said Harmensyah.

On the same occasion, Deputy of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of BNPB, Rifai said that until the fifth year, BNPB has received a total budget worth Rp37 trillion; emergency prepared funds reached Rp28 trillion, and for rehabilitation and reconstruction, it reached Rp7 trillion. Meanwhile, specifically, the rehabilitation and reconstruction of forest and land fires reached Rp67 trillion. (VOI/NK)

Co-Founder and CEO of Investree Adrian Gunadi in a press conference held in Jakarta, Thursday (12/12/2019).(ANTARA)

Indonesian financial technology (fintech) platform, Investree, is expanding its business into the South East Asian market, specifically through Thailand and the Philippines, considering the potential in the market and supporting domestic regulations. "We are finalizing the process in the Philippines and hopefully, we can sign a joint venture agreement with our partner over there," said Co-Founder and CEO of Investree Adrian Gunadi at a press conference held in Jakarta, Thursday.

At the moment the company is in the process of applying for a license to work in the Thai market, with a local financial services agency, Gunadi stated.

"Hopefully we can acquire our license in the first quarter of 2020. Our team and systems are ready to go," he said.

The programs carried out in the markets outside of the country will be similar to what they are doing in Indonesia, he further explained. Investree will be lending funds to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and provide solutions for procurement of goods and services, bearing the same name in both countries.

His company will also target markets in the region, such as Vietnam. However, Vietnam has yet to usher in fintech regulations, so they would wait until one is issued in order to enter the market.

Investree is targeting a double digit growth in 2020, considering the positive growth trend they have experienced this year.

The realization of a loan reached Rp2.4 trillion, up to November 2019, which indicate a higher growth compared to the same period in 2018 which reached Rp1.1 trillion, he explained.

Cumulatively, the fintech company has booked a loan value of Rp4.2 trillion and facilitated 6,500 loans since it was established four years ago.  (ANTARA)

Investments in research and innovation are able to bring Indonesian people to become developed country. Because research and innovation can create innovative ideas that are connected with the business and industrial world and provide benefits to the community. In the end, this increases the competitiveness of the national economy. When chairing a Limited Cabinet Meeting on the Research and Innovation Development Strategy and the Arrangement of the National Research and Innovation Agency at State Palace in Jakarta, Wednesday (11/12), President Joko Widodo expressed his hope that the research and innovation agenda would be focused on efforts to advance the nation's progress. He considered that the government must have a big strategy in encouraging the development of research and innovation with adequate budget.

"The focus of research must be truly directed. It must begin to be brought to the same framework, namely how to take our country out of the middle income trap towards developed country. Therefore, we must choose the research agenda that is prioritized, which is agreed to have a significant impact on the progress of our country," said President Joko Widodo.

Furthermore, President Joko Widodo also encouraged the strengthening of ecosystems so that research and innovation could develop. This strengthening includes aspects of regulation, human resources, research and innovation institutions and incentive systems. He added that the government is committed to increasing the budget of research and innovation. (VOI/Ndy)