VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of Industry collaborates with regional governments and the industrial sector to be actively involved in creating competent human resources. Collaboration between stakeholders related to this field is believed to have accelerated the target of the government's priority programs.

"Indeed, we must immediately move faster in order to prepare competent human resources, according to the priority program of Mr. President Joko Widodo. After the intensive development of infrastructure, it was then continued with the development of human resources, " said Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry Haris Munandar through his statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

Haris said, the Ministry of Industry and the Government of South Sulawesi Province gathered a number of leaders of manufacturing companies in Makassar. This strategic effort is a follow-up to the launch of an industrial vocational education program in the Sulawesi region in early January 2019.

"This program is not only carried out by the central government, but also involves the regional governments and primarily the industry players themselves. This follow-up is one of them to compile the curriculum and other steps that will need to be done, "he explained.

Haris added, his party had also facilitated the development of community polytechnics and academies in several industrial areas including those in eastern Indonesia. For example, the Metal Industry Polytechnic in Morowali, Central Sulawesi and the Academy of Manufacturing Industry Communities in Bantaeng, South Sulawesi.

"We believe that the presence of the community polytechnic or academy can make it easier to supply competent industrial workforce," he said.

The opposite effect is believed to boost the local and national economy. For example, in Morowali industrial area, the value of investment has penetrated 5 billion US dollars, exports reached 4 billion US dollars, and employment of 20 thousand people until 2018.

Haris stated, in carrying out industrial vocational education at the polytechnic and community academy, the Ministry of Industry has collaborated with Switzerland to develop the Skill For Competitiveness (S4C) program.

"We use the concept of learning in a dual system, which is 30 percent theory and 70 percent is practice," he explained.

Then, as the digitalization era began, the Ministry of Industry was building a 4.0 Center for HR Innovation and Development in Jakarta.

Meanwhile, South Sulawesi Governor Nurdin Abdullah said that he wanted to continue to synergize with the central government and industry players in an effort to boost economic growth in the region. One of the strategic steps is to prepare skilled industrial human resources.

"We have to change the pattern that has only been waiting for investors to arrive. So now, we have to pick them up. If necessary, investors do not need to come to an audience at the office of the regional head, but the regional head must go to the investors in his office. Now the model is like that, "he explained.

Furthermore, according to Nurdin, he has long cooperated and established communication with the Ministry of Industry, especially when he was still serving as Bantaeng district head.

"The presence of the Ministry of Industry is timely, because at that time we were encouraging the development of the industry in Bantaeng. Indeed, the key to success is the preparation of competent human resources, "he concluded. (ant)

State electricity firm PT PLN (Persero) has extended an invitation to investors to do business in West Sumatra on the back of adequate current electricity reserves.

The company's General Manager for West Sumatra Region Bambang Dwiyanto remarked during several national media visits to the Teluk Sirih Steam Power Plant (PLTU) in Padang City, West Sumatra, on Saturday, that the current power reserves average 60 megawatts (MW).

"The power capacity will suffice to provide electricity to 100 new five-star hotels," he noted.

Furthermore, Dwiyanto explained that if the transfer of power supply from the Southern Sumatra is taken into account, power reserves are estimated to still reach up to 200 MW.

Moreover, the 80-MW capacity Muaralaboh Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP), scheduled to become operational in August 2019, will add to the power reserves.

Hence, he has called for investors to invest in West Sumatra, as PLN is set to offer the best electricity services. "In essence, we ensure reliable supply of electricity," he emphasized.

Tourism is a business sector holding immense potential in West Sumatra, taking into account its natural beauty and culinary wealth.

Bambang believes that the adequate and reliable supply of electricity in West Sumatra will further drive the regional economy and boost the electrification ratio.

In March 2019, West Sumatra Province's electrification ratio was recorded at 92.53 percent and targeted at 96.85 percent by 2019-end and to ultimately reach 100 percent by 2020. The total household customers of PLN, as of March 2019, stand at 1.199 million of the 1,297 million households. A total of 49,942 households would need to be electrified to realize the 2019 electrification ratio target of 96.85 percent.

Meanwhile, the total power capacity of West Sumatra's plant touches 650 MW, with a peak load of 600 MW.

Generators, supplying a major chunk of electricity for the West Sumatra region, come from new and renewable energy sources (EBT), specifically 74 MW from the Singkarak hydropower plant (PLTA), 68 MW from PLTA Maninjau, and 21 MW from microhydro power plant (PLTM). In addition, the electricity supply comes from the 180-MW Teluk Sirih PLTU, 170-MW Ombilin PLTU, and 49-MW Pauh Limo gas power plant (PLTG). (ANTARA)

The Aceh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has extended an invitation to foreign businesspersons to make investments in the province to tap into numerous business opportunities in the western tip of Sumatra Island.

"Several opportunities to invest can be developed in Aceh Province. Hence, we extend an invite to entrepreneurs to come forth and make an investment in this area," Aceh Kadin Chairman Muzakir Manaf noted in Banda Aceh on Saturday.

The invitation was voiced by Kadin Chair Muzakir Manaf at the Aceh International Business Summit and Expo 2019. Polish Ambassador Beata Stoczynska and Head of Economic Counselor of the US Embassy Andre Shaw along with several domestic and foreign businesspersons attended the international forum.

Aceh's ex-deputy governor remarked that the agricultural and plantation, tourism, and industrial sectors offered promising investment opportunities.

"The mining sector, with the tin industry, offers vast potential that had yet to be tapped. Foreign entrepreneurs expressing keenness can promptly conduct further exploration and coordination with their concerned embassies in Jakarta," Manaf noted.

Manaf believes the investment offer is the Aceh Kadin's contribution to boosting the regional economy. Investment growth in Aceh unleashes areas of employment for the Bumi Serambi Mekkah residents.

"Along with investment, we also promote the growth of small and medium enterprises. Nevertheless, the Aceh local government and the banking sector should lend support to this endeavor," Manaf emphasized.

In the meantime, Acting (Plt) Aceh Regional Secretary Helvizar Ibrahim noted that the Aceh government had readied the necessary infrastructure to support investment.

"We will also offer incentives to investors investing in Aceh. This policy is being applied to draw the interest of the business world to invest in Aceh," Ibrahim explained

Moreover, the Aceh government has offered infrastructure in the form of industrial estates in Ladong, Aceh Besar, a trading area and free port on Weh Island, Sabang, as well as special economic zones, or SEZs, in Lhokseumawe.

"There are several investment opportunities in Aceh to develop. Moreover, Aceh holds a strategic position for global trade. Hence, Aceh remains resolute to becoming the hub of world trade," Ibrahim remarked. (ANTARA)