President Joko Widodo attended the closing of the JCI 2018 at the Jakarta Stock Exchange.

"I want to express optimism over the development of our stock exchange market," the President said in his remarks at the inauguration of the trading of the stock exchange on Friday afternoon.

The president said the BEI`s achievements in 2018 are in line with the expectations of 6194.49.

According to the President, the performance of IDX had a positive impact amid global economic conditions that were dynamic and difficult to predict.

The optimism over the Indonesia Stock Exchange shows that the Indonesian economy is undergoing a transition from consumptive to productive habits, the President said.

"This happens due to cooperation and collaboration because of the synergy among the monetary sector, the fiscal sector, the real sector, industry and the business world. All three can consolidate well, can work together, collaborate, and complement each other so that we expect our economic growth this year to reach more than 5 percent, Jokowi further stressed.

The President hopes that the Indonesian capital market will become a strong, healthy and stable barometer. (ANTARA)

Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita affirmed he will expand Indonesia’s export market to improve the trade balance that was still in deficit until the end of 2018.

"For exports, we have opened new markets, and we will still conduct trade agreements," Lukita noted while visiting the "Omo! Healthy Snack" factory on Jalan Magelang , Yogyakarta on Thursday.

The trade minister said Indonesia`s trade balance until the end of 2018 is still in deficit, as exports have decreased, while the imports of raw materials had, in fact, increased.

Although both export-oriented and domestic markets have experienced a sharp increase, the machines used are still imported from abroad, the minister pointed out.

"Our exports are declining, and the purchasing power of the world is also decreasing. The construction of our infrastructure is extraordinary, but consequently, the import of capital goods has also increased," he noted.

Lukita said the export activity of palm oil is currently experiencing the biggest correction owing to the high cost still incurred in palm oil entering the region.

"The correction in palm oil is rather sharp, especially to India and Europe. India has hiked import duties to 45 percent, or three times the increase. I have spoken with the Indian trade minister," he noted.

Lukita admitted to not being too hesitant and concerned about the economic condition since he along with Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto had constantly monitored to see the extent of development of the Indonesian industry in future.

To reduce the trade balance deficit, he noted that the Ministry of Trade had opened new export markets and entered into trade agreements with various countries.

"Cooperation with Australia is just a matter of time. Starting January 2019, hopefully, (cooperation will be forged) with Mozambique and Tunisia, followed by Morocco," he added. (ANTARA)

Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita affirmed he will expand Indonesia’s export market to improve the trade balance that was still in deficit until the end of 2018.

"For exports, we have opened new markets, and we will still conduct trade agreements," Lukita noted while visiting the "Omo! Healthy Snack" factory on Jalan Magelang , Yogyakarta on Thursday.

The trade minister said Indonesia`s trade balance until the end of 2018 is still in deficit, as exports have decreased, while the imports of raw materials had, in fact, increased.

Although both export-oriented and domestic markets have experienced a sharp increase, the machines used are still imported from abroad, the minister pointed out.

"Our exports are declining, and the purchasing power of the world is also decreasing. The construction of our infrastructure is extraordinary, but consequently, the import of capital goods has also increased," he noted.

Lukita said the export activity of palm oil is currently experiencing the biggest correction owing to the high cost still incurred in palm oil entering the region.

"The correction in palm oil is rather sharp, especially to India and Europe. India has hiked import duties to 45 percent, or three times the increase. I have spoken with the Indian trade minister," he noted.

Lukita admitted to not being too hesitant and concerned about the economic condition since he along with Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto had constantly monitored to see the extent of development of the Indonesian industry in future.

To reduce the trade balance deficit, he noted that the Ministry of Trade had opened new export markets and entered into trade agreements with various countries.

"Cooperation with Australia is just a matter of time. Starting January 2019, hopefully, (cooperation will be forged) with Mozambique and Tunisia, followed by Morocco," he added. (ANTARA)

Deputy for Infrastructure Sector from the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry Hambra Samal, along with ministry officials, visited the site affected by tsunami in Pandeglang Sub-district to observe infrastructure improvements, on Thursday (Dec 27, 2018) According to a statement received here, Thursday, the visit kicked off at the SOE Assistance Post, coordinated by PT Krakatau Steel, located in Cinangka and Labuan in Pandeglang Sub-district.

Located at the SOE Assistance Post, the Ministry of SOE and Jamkrindo handed over logistical assistance and continued with a coordination meeting with Chief of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Willem Rampangilei and Sub-district Head of Pandeglang Irna Narulita.

"This visit aims to monitor the area that was temporarily isolated, including in the Sumur area. Thank God, although the road is not in good condition, the group can arrive here," Samal noted.

Earlier, on Tuesday night (Dec 25), the volunteer team from Krakatau Steel had built a post in the village of Cimanggu, Sumur Sub-district, to channel aid pouring in from various SOEs.

Samal further said he also gave special attention to infrastructure in the region.

"At the moment, our priority is to clear out (debris from) the disaster area, so that assistance and help can come through and reach even the furthest area. Today, we have urged Pertamina to have fuels ready in case they are needed for the heavy equipment operated to clear out the ruins," he noted.

The ministry will continue the effort by collecting data of the damaged infrastructure, so that it can be reconstructed. (ANTARA)