VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The trade war between the United States and China is predicted to last for decades, just like the Cold War that occurred between the Soviets and the United States. Regarding the Trade War between the US and China, Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong in his remarks during a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Jakarta on Thursday (5/9) predicted that India and Indonesia would become a strong partner in the Non-Aligned Movement in the Asia Pacific region because each country has domestic opportunities and challenges that must be faced.

“What I predict is going to happen is a sort of re-emergence of the Non-Aligned Movement that we saw during the last cold war. And if you look at the lightly leadership of the non-aligned movement, I predict that India and Indonesia will be thrust into being sort of a reluctant pair of leaders, certainly in the Asia-Pacific region. I see reluctant because I believe that India's leadership, Indonesia leadership, we have so many domestic opportunities and domestic challenges to deal with, "Thomas Lembong said.

Thomas Lembong added that India and Indonesia will become a major economic force as long as the two countries increase and intensify economic cooperation between the two countries. (VOI / ANI / edit r)

The country's Special Economic Zones are ideal locations for the development of the circular economy, Country Representative for Global Green Growth Institute in Indonesia Marcel Silvius believes.

"A Special Economic Zone is a good place for the circular economy since clusters of companies can use the others' waste, so they can share resources," he said in Jakarta, Thursday. The Special Economic Zones refer to designated areas endowed with geo-economic advantages where special facilities and incentives are extended to attract investments.

A sustainable Special Economic Zone does not merely focus on zero waste practices but also on renewable energy sources, he said.

One of the Special Economic Zones he referred to was Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, which is a seeded tourist destination promoted by the Indonesian government as one of the 'Ten New Balis'.

The Institute is currently working with the state-owned Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in identifying measures to develop eco-tourism in Mandalika, making the tourism destination sustainable which includes ensuring that energy provision uses renewable sources, Silvius said.

At the moment, the institute is exploring options to make the city of Bitung in North Sulawesi, another Special Economic Zone, more sustainable. That means they are seeking possible investors and conducting feasibility studies in the area, he added.

"We are also looking now into Sei Mangkei in North Sumatra for another sustainability development, especially a hazardous waste treatment plant, as Indonesia only has one such plant in Java," he explained.

The Global Green Growth Institute is an international organization that promotes the development of green growth by working with country members.

Green growth refers to an economic development approach that simultaneously considers the full range of economic, natural and social values to ensure that growth is good for the economy, planet and people. (ANTARA)

Indonesia's franchise business is expected to recover and grow by five percent in 2019 after the country completes its presidential election process, the Association of Indonesian Franchise and License (Wali) said.

Wali's Chairperson, Levita Ginting Supit, admitted that the political situation during the 2019 elections brought about significant impact to the business sector, as entrepreneurs have adopted a wait-and-see stance before they expand.

"We admit that due to the political year, all businesses have experienced a downturn. Those who have planned an expansion have to delay it until a new government is elected. Hopefully, this year, (the growth) can reach five percent," she elaborated.

Supit said the franchise business has seen a three percent growth in 2018, and despite the uncertainty in the early period of 2019, the sector is expected to experience better growth.

"When we are done with politics, the business will grow. Foreign businesses will also enter the country," she continued.

Another factor that boosts the growth of franchise businesses is the development of basic infrastructure in some regions in Indonesia.

The lack of infrastructure has made businessmen reluctant to expand the franchise business in some regions, due to concerns with regard to long delivery and minimum security.

"Now, as the development of infrastructure has reached remote areas, businessmen are eager to open franchises in regions," she remarked.

The number of franchise businesses in Indonesia is predicted to reach 2 thousands, of which 60 percent are local franchises. Some 40 percent of the franchise business in Indonesia is in the food and beverage sector.

In 2018, the franchise business recorded a total turnover of Rp150 trillion (US$10.4 billion). (ANTARA)

Respect for human rights has become an important element for the stability and development of a country, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Dutch Embassy for Indonesia Ardi Stoios-Braken said in Jakarta Thursday

"Respect for human rights is a crucial condition for stability, growth, trade and prosperity," Stoios-Braken said. The Dutch government works internationally to promote and protect human rights, with a focus, among others, on freedom of expression, freedom of religion or belief, and equal rights for all, she stated.

"In Southeast Asia, the Netherlands works closely with The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and its appointed representatives to protect and promote human rights in ASEAN," Stoios-Braken remarked. The Netherlands wishes to stay close and connected to the region, especially to work together with ASEAN and its member states to implement human rights treaties and the ASEAN Declaration on Human Rights, she remarked.

"As the only human rights body within ASEAN, the institution is responsible for advancing human rights regionally," Stoios-Braken stated.

This spirit is also shared by AICHR Indonesia, whose main goal is to ensure that it can evolve into a full fledged institution that is accountable, effective, and independent, Stoios-Braken continued.

"I hope this organization not only promotes but also protects human rights," she stated. (ANTARA)