VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The governments of Indonesia and Argentina are striving to encourage increased economic ties, including in the fields of trade, investment and agriculture.

This was one of the outcomes of a bilateral meeting held between Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution and Argentina's Vice President Gabriela Michetti in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to Darmin, currently, the economic cooperation between the two countries does not reflect the real potential because there are still many opportunities to be worked on.

At present, Argentina is Indonesia's largest trading partner in South America with a total trade value of 1.68 billion US dollars, an increase of 17.96 percent compared to that of 2017.

Indonesia's exports to Argentina include footwear and footwear products amounting to 71.47 million US dollars, rubber and rubber products worth 46.79 million US dollars, as well as 46.3 million US dollars worth of machinery and electrical equipment.

Meanwhile, the three main products imported by Indonesia from Argentina were oilcake valued at 934.98 million US dollars, cereal valued at 220 million US dollars and cotton at 51.2 million US dollars.

Overall, Indonesia still has a trade deficit with Argentina due to tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, issues of dumping, connectivity and language constraints.

For this reason, it is necessary to formulate concrete steps in creating a balanced and mutually beneficial trade cooperation for the two countries.

These steps include expanding market access in Argentina for Indonesian products, diversifying export products and reducing trade barriers.

On this occasion, Indonesia is also exploring the formation of free trade cooperation with the South American Trade Association (MERCOSUR).

As a first step in establishing a free trade partnership, Indonesia proposed a joint feasibility study.

For cooperation in agriculture, Indonesia and Argentina have a common interest in ensuring sustainable food security for the welfare of the community.

Therefore, efforts have been made to implement agricultural cooperation to open up market access for Indonesian horticulture products and commitment to transfer agricultural machinery technology from Argentina.

Indonesia also offered airplanes produced by PT Dirgantara Indonesia, specifically the CN 212 and N 219 types.

The aircraft will function as a replacement for the procurement of various aircraft in the same classes that are currently operated in Argentina.

Also present during the visit were Argentina's Ambassador to Indonesia Ricardo Bocalandro, Indonesian Ambassador to Argentina Niniek Kun Naryatie, and Argentina's Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Guillermo Bernaudo.  (ANTARA)

Pulse Lab Jakarta, Tuesday afternoon, launched the Natural Disaster Logistics Planning Information Platform. Pulse Lab Jakarta is an institution established through a partnership between the United Nations (UN) Global Pulse and the Indonesian Government through the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas).

Head of Jakarta Pulse Lab Office, Derval Usher said, Natural Disaster Logistics Planning Information Platform is an open source platform that combines various non-traditional data from various trusted sources, including social media. This platform applies the use of large amounts of data to face development challenges, especially natural disasters, starting from economic conditions in disaster-affected areas, geographical conditions, infrastructure development, to information conveyed by the public regarding earthquake affected areas through social media.

Derval Usher said, by using large amounts of data, she hoped that all parties involved in disaster management could make the right decisions in any natural disaster that occurred.

"So today we’re launching a national disaster logistics planning information platform. And basically what it is, it's an open source platform that uses big data and it integrates non-traditional data sets and provides real-time insights following in natural disaster. So it gives  lot of different non-traditional data sets, so humanitarian responders can better plan disaster response,” said Derval Usher.

The national disaster logistics planning information platform collects various information about the current disaster in an area. This platform provides information about a disaster that is happening to the party responsible for the disaster.

Derval Usher hopes that all stakeholders in disaster management can switch to using non-traditional information so that disaster management can be done better. (VOI / NDY / AHM)

The Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations for Humanitarian Affairs Ursula Mueller on Tuesday in Jakarta appreciated the launch of the National Disaster Logistics Planning Information Platform conducted by Pulse Lab Jakarta. According to her, the launch of this platform has high potential in providing opportunities for authorities to handle natural disasters in determining the right steps in disaster management. Nevertheless, Ursula reminded the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of community data. By utilizing technological advancements, the National Disaster Logistics Planning Information Platform can provide large amounts of information that can be used in disaster management. Ursula hopes that the use of this platform can also ensure the confidentiality of the data used.

"With new capacities, also come new responsibilities. And at the same time as we, as obtained the many ways in which data and new technologies can be used, we need to ensure that data is managed responsibly and in a safe way. We must ensure data is accessed and used in ways that respect the right to confidentiality and privacy of all citizens, said Ursula Mueller.    

Furthermore, Ursula Mueller who is also the Deputy Coordinator of the United Nations Office of Emergency Assistance for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that all parties responsible for handling natural disasters need accurate, up-to-date and easily accessible data. According to her, the use of this platform will not only facilitate the handling of natural disasters, but can also be used for planning the development of affected areas after the disaster. (VOI / NDY / AHM)

The second week in May marked the beginning of Indonesia's busyness in taking responsibility as the President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). May 2019 is the first time for Indonesia sitting in the UN Security Council presidency. In its presicdency, Indonesia has prepared various work programs and major events, including the Photography Exhibition themed "Sowing the Seeds of Peace".

The exhibition was officially opened by the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi at the UN Headquarters, New York, United States, Monday (05/06/2019) night local time. Retno Marsudi said, the various photos on display were a small part of Indonesia's contribution, participating as part of various world issues.

Retno explained, for Indonesia, peace is not only about war, but also includes freedom of democracy, human rights and development. According to Retno, the photo exhibition was also considered to be the right media to remind the world community of what Indonesia had done to maintain peace.

“The world knows that we have contributed a lot, but, if then our contribution is put in a picture or film, then people will remember. For example, like the Palestinian ambassador when he saw an Indonesian hospital in Gaza. He immediately remembered "Oh yes, this is a hospital that has been built by Indonesia,” Retni Marsudi said.

As a permanent member or the Elected 10 of the UN Security Council, Indonesia should be proud, because currently it occupies the 8th position out of 124 countries contributing to the Peace Forces in various conflict areas. Meanwhile, the photo exhibition, which is a series of the Indonesian Presidency at the UNSC, documented Indonesia's contribution to world peace, including democracy and peace building, the role of women as agents of change and peace and development cooperation. (KBRN / Retno / AHM)