VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The 20% lift in Indonesia’s tourism sector has been thanks big increase in Halal travelers. It was stated by Fazal Bahardeen, CEO and founder of Halal Trip website at the launch of Indonesia Muslim Travel Index 2019 in Jakarta on Wednesday (13/02/2019).  He said Indonesia is the second fastest growing market in the ASEAN region, experiencing growth at three times the global rate. This has been largely due to an increase of Muslim travelers. Dr. Arief Yahya, the Indonesian Minister for Tourism, remarked on the importance of Halal tourism for the broader Indonesian tourism market. The Halal tourism industry is expected to become a 300 billion dollar industry by 2026. He said some of this success is thanks to Muslim women becoming more influential as are getting better access to education and have greater means to travel.

“The growth of the halal tourism is the growth of the whole tourism in Indonesia. It’s around 20%. That’s why our plan is from 20% to become 25% of all inbound traveler to Indonesia is coming from the Halal tourism. 25% means is around 5 million,” said Arief Yahya.

Indonesia took out many awards at the 2016 World Halal Travel Awards in the United Arab Emirates. These included Garuda taking home the award for the best airline for Halal travelers and Aceh winning the best culinary destination for Halal travelers. (VOI/LISA/AHM)

In a press briefing at the residence of Russian Ambassador in Jakarta, Wednesday (13/02), Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Ms Lyudmila Vorobieva outlined preparations to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Russia.

“Yes, we are working on a program, or a list of activities that we conduct to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of bilateral relations. We are in a close contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are thinking of organising some culturally events. I know that the Indonesian embassy in Moscow will have even a bigger festival next year. Maybe, we will have have some exhibitions, performances, hopefully we’ll also have some Russian artists come to Jakarta,” said Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Ms Lyudmila Vorobieva.

Ms. Lyudmila added that she had recently returned from Surabaya for National Press Day and had been impressed by the well-preserved exhibit of a Russian submarine used by the Indonesian navy in the 1960s and was eager for some anniversary celebrations to be located near this monument. (VOI/STEPHEN/AHM)

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Ms. Lyudmila Vorobieva said that bilateral relations remain strong with Indonesia, dismissing that there was any animosity after the term “Russian propaganda” was used in the political debate for the upcoming presidential election. Speaking at a press briefing at the Russian Ambassador's residence in Jakarta, Wednesday (13/2), the ambassador outlined Russia’s role in promoting cooperation with foreign parties and maintaining international security and the rule of law.

“it is a firm policy, that Russia will not intervene in domestic affairs od any countries, especially in the electoral process. There is no question of Russia intervening in the electional process of Indonesia, which we see as a good friend and close partner of our country,” said Lyudmila Vorobieva.

Regarding the Russian propaganda statement, the ambassador said the embassy had no knowledge of any Russian individuals contacting the opposition other than while attending official events. (VOI/STEPHEN/AHM)

The Indonesian government is committed to increasing cooperation with African countries as a potential market for Indonesian products. After attending a ceremony of submitting the credentials of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassadors to the Republic of Indonesia at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (13/2), Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi said that the Indonesian government continued to push for negotiation efforts, so that cooperation between Indonesia and African countries could continue to be improved.

“Africa is one of the potential markets that is being worked on by Indonesia, for example we are currently negotiating it. It's easy for this year's negotiations to be completed. With other African countries we also convey that for this year we will also hold the Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue. This is a continuation of the Indonesia-Africa Forum held last year. And the President said, we want to continue to improve economic cooperation with Africa,” said Retno Marsudi.

In addition to African countries, the Indonesian government also targets Latin American countries as potential markets for Indonesian products. // Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, this year, the Indonesian government plans to hold the Indonesian, Latin American and Caribbean Forums. // This forum is scheduled to be held in October, and will bring together business people from Latin America and Indonesia to enhance trade and investment sector cooperation. // (VOI/Ndy/AHM)