VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya has projected that the tourism sector will contribute US$17.6-18 billion to the national economy, well above foreign exchange earnings from crude palm oil (CPO), which is now the country's largest foreign exchange earner. The number of tourist arrivals in the country is projected to reach 18 million by the end of 2019, he said after swearing in administrative officials, supervisory officials, functional officials and officials of the authority boards at the ministry in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"I informed President Joko Widodo of this figure when he asked me about the tourism projections for this year," he said.

The projection of 18 million tourist arrivals represents a two-fold increase over the past five years, although it falls short of the target of 20 million for this year, he said.

"When I assumed the post of tourism minister in 2015, the number of tourist arrivals was 9 million. The figure increased two-fold to 18 million in the past five years," he said.

The government has projected that foreign exchange earnings from the tourism sector will reach US$17.6 billion-US$18 billion this year. The figure surpassed foreign exchange earnings from crude palm oil (CPO), which were listed as the country's largest exchange earner last year. Foreign exchange earnings from the tourism sector were equal to those of CPO, when the number of tourist arrivals reached 16.4 million last year, with foreign exchange earnings recorded at US$16.1 billion.

The minister said the ministry will cooperate with tourism stakeholders to carry out four programs to achieve the target of 18 million tourist arrivals. The four programs include border tourism, hot deals, tourism hubs, and LCC Terminal.

"Through the border tourism program, we target (the number of tourist arrivals) to reach 3.4 million. Last year it stood at 18 percent, and is projected to increase to 20 percent of the target ot tourist arrivals this year," he said.

The hot deal program offers huge discounts during low season and is expected to contribute 2 million-2.5 million tourist arrivals.

"Through the hot deal program last year, we managed to sell 700,000 pax, with the largest share of 20 percent coming from Riau Islands," he said.

To implement the tourism hub program, the ministry is cooperating with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. "This program is a solution for direct flights, which are difficult to find and take a relatively long time," he said. (ant)

The Government has unveiled the Indonesian Islamic Economics Masterplan (MEKSI) 2019-2024, which recommended four strategic steps with the goal of Indonesia becoming a major producer in the global halal industry by 2024.

National Development Planning Minister / Head of National Development Planning Agency Bambang Brodjonegoro, said at a press conference here on Tuesday that Indonesia is currently among the top ten global consumers in the sharia industry.

This is ironic, because Indonesia, which, in fact, is a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, is still a consumer country. However, on the other hand, Indonesia is still struggling to become a producer of halal products.

With the existence of the MEKSI, Indonesia is expected to become a major producer within the global halal industry.

"With this master plan, we hope that Indonesia can become a major player and producer in the global halal industry by 2024," Bambang said.

For this reason, Bambang recommends four strategies, including strengthening the value chain of halal products, with a focus on sectors that are considered potential and highly competitive.

"Especially in potential sectors, such as food and beverages, tourism, fashion, media and recreation, as well as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics," he said.

Furthermore, it is necessary to strengthen the Islamic financial sector with a master plan that was outlined in the previous Indonesian Sharia Financial Architecture (MAKSI) Masterplan and refined into this master plan. Sharia economic development will be prioritized in the retail sector.

In addition, the strengthening of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is the main driver of the halal product value chain.

The fourth step includes strengthening the field of digital economics, especially trade (e-commerce, market place) and finance (financial technology), to encourage and accelerate the reaching of other strategies.

"Halal products and services will be added to 'e-commerce' (e-commerce). We will work with several 'e-commerce' platforms," he said.

Through this master plan, the government also encourages public awareness, increasing the quantity and quality of human resources, along with strengthening research and development capacity, fatwas, regulations and governance of the halal industry in Indonesia.

"We can change our position from being only consumers to becoming producers. Indonesia is very fortunate," he said.

Bambang continued, noting that the benefit will be reached when Indonesia becomes a producer in the halal industry and improves the current account deficit. So far, imports of halal products have also been the cause of the current account deficit.

"This can also improve the current account deficit. Most consumption is still consumed from abroad, so we need reinforcement on all sides, both from the supply chain and so on," he said. (ANTARA)

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno wants the construction of all fast train stations to be completed on schedule, along with the completion of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train project.

"Walini, including a large (fast train) station. After Lebaran the construction of the station here has begun," Minister Rini told reporters at Walini, West Bandung Regency, West Java, Tuesday.

Rini explained that the construction of the stations must begin so when the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train project is completed in 2020, all the stations will be completed.

"When the high-speed train is finished at the end of 2020, and in January 2021 the plan has been tested by running the train, we hope the station will be finished," he said, after formalizing the first tunnel connection of 13 Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train tunnels at Walini.

Minister Rini also said he hopes the construction of the transit-oriented developments (TOD) to begin soon.

"With the rapid development of the high-speed railway line, we also have to begin concentrating on the development of the TODs," he said.

At present, the progress of the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung fast train has reached 17.5 percent. The SOE minister is targeting the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train to reach 59 percent before the end of this year.

The Walini station will be connected to other public transportation modes, in order to improve the accessibility and mobility of people in the region.

With a land area of 1,278 hectares, Walini is is expected to become a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) area.

The system of integration and the development of improved public transport infrastructure in the region is expected to increase the productivity in the community.

Previously, PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk or Wika revealed that the project would also including building new properties. There are three large areas, the first in Karawang, the second is in Tegalluar, the Bandung border, and the third area is located in Walini.

Walini is to become a new city. With the three points of the area, projected revenues are expected to reach Rp266.1 trillion. (ant)

The Indonesian Embassy in Amman has again distributed donations in the form of packages breaking the fast for around 500 Palestinians in the Al Aqsa Mosque complex, Jerusalem, Sunday (12/5).

"The intended donation is a contribution from the Indonesian people as a form of concern for our brothers and sisters in Palestine," said the Indonesian Ambassador to Jordan and Palestine, Andy Rachmianto.

The iftar Ramadhan 1440H activity was held in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Amman with volunteers from Indonesia who settled in Jerusalem as the holy city of three religions.

Andy Rachmianto stated that the concern of the Indonesian people to Palestine will never recede.

"This iftar activity is also proof that Indonesia is always with the Palestinians in any situation," he said.

Even though the holy city of Jerusalem is still occupied by Israel, this situation does not disturb the atmosphere of Palestinian Muslims to practice fasting, including breaking the fast and praying.

"Palestinian Muslims can still practice fasting, including iftar and prayer, even under the shadow of Israeli intimidation," Andy said.

Palestinian Muslims who fasted in an orderly manner cross-legged enjoying the breaking fast menu in the form of chicken rice and eggs cooked in the public kitchen. White water and some dates complete the iftar dish which takes place on the courtyard of the Al Aqsa Mosque as one of the three sacred mosques that must be visited by Muslims worldwide. (source: Indonesian Embassy in Amman).