As the host of International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank Group Annual meetings 2018, Indonesia brings a number of key issues addressed at the meeting taking place in Nusa Dua Bali, from 8-14 October, 2018. One of the main issues voiced by Indonesia is strengthening Indonesia's infrastructure financing. Indonesia will fight for infrastructure financing not only to be financed by the state budget, but also to involve the private sectors. Minister of National Development Planning Bambang Brodjonegoro after delivering his opening remarks at a dialogue themed Inclusive Urbanization Amid Global Change at Westin Hotel, Nusa Dua Bali, on Saturday (10/13) said there were two direct impacts of the IMF-WB Group meetings in Bali. According to him, both direct and indirect transactions will have greater impacts on Indonesia. He also said until Saturday his party had succeeded in obtaining private investment of 47 trillion rupiah.

"There are two direct impacts of this meeting. I mean the transaction and its economic impact if we look at the number of participants which is above our estimation in the beginning so that we estimate that the economic impact will be great for Bali.  The direct and indirect impacts will be greater. There are various types of investments, some directly to state-owned enterprises, there are Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Indonesia through the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). There are also investments that we will launch later that relate to national private participation. There are also international philanthropic community participation in mixed finance. The amount is still moving. From us there are 47 trillion national private investments in infrastructure. This investment is for biomass power plant, and there are toll road developments in several places, said Minister of National Development Planning Bambang Brodjonegoro.

It is estimated that most of foreign delegates and guests will spend more time in Indonesia to have a vacation after the meeting. Thus, it will be able to live up tourism in Bali. Besides, for a long term impact, the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund - the World Bank in Bali, will enable Indonesia to establish mutual agreements on global economic issues, trade and investment, tourism promotion, and expand the international community network. (VOI/DP/AHM)

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is holding a "Walk for Peace and Humanity: The Joint Walk to Independence for Palestine" held to continue supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people in their efforts to realize independence. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in remarks at the event in Jakarta on Sunday that the action is to show that Palestinians will never be alone in their struggle for independence. She added the Palestinian dream is the Indonesian dream too. Together with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al Maliki, Chairman of the House’s Commission I Abdul Kharis Almasyhari, interfaith and community leaders, as well as more than 2,000 Indonesian people, the Indonesian Foreign Minister walked along 1.2 kilometers to the end of the Welcome Monument at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout. The joint walk is part of a series of events for the Indonesian Solidarity Week for Palestine organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for October 13-17 2018, and coincides with the visit of the Palestinian Foreign Minister to Indonesia. This activity is part of the continuation of Indonesia’s commitment to Palestine and is aimed at increasing the understanding and care of the Indonesian people for the struggle of the Palestinian people. (ANTARA)

Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) President Majid Rashed was very impressed with the Asian Para Games 2018 in Jakarta on 6-13 October 2018. The 2018 Asian Para Games which took place since 6 October 2018 officially ended after the closing ceremony held at the Madya Stadium, Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta Saturday night, October 14, 2018. Before the media before the closing ceremony began, Rashed congratulated Indonesian Asian Para Games Organizing Committee (INAPGOC) for its success in organizing the largest multi-sporting event for the disabled in Asia. According to Rashed INAPGOC has worked very well and professionally. He also called the 2018 Asian Para Games much bigger and livelier than the two previous Asian Para Games.

"INAPGOC, I think we need to congratulate them. We need to give them abig thank. A short space of time. They should be very professional, very aware about what is the importance to host the 43 countries, the full house,  the whole family of Asia, the biggest number of athletes, the biggest number of participants, the biggest number of media, the biggest number of spectators," Majid Rashed said.

Majid also expressed his admiration for INAPGOC for successfully holding the 2018 Asian Para Games in a fairly short time, which is 15 months without stopping, working day and night. Majid also commented on the achievements of the Indonesian contingent at the 2018 Asian Para Games. He said Indonesia was able to make use of the host status very well. From the target of 16 gold medals and finished in the top seven, Indonesia actually earned 37 gold and finished the fifth. Not only that, there are also many records created at the 2015 Asian Para Games, 18 of which are the world records. The Asian paralympic community is very proud of the achievements this time. (VOI / Rezha/AHM)

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, revealed the 2018 Asian Para Games which was held in Jakarta from 6-13 October 2018 was more than sports events between Asian countries. Jusuf Kalla considered the 2018 Asian Para Games has given a spirit of equality in humanity. Before thousands of spectators of the closing ceremony of the 2018 Asian Para Games at the Madya Stadium, Gelora Bung Karno (GBK), Jakarta, Saturday, October 13, 2018, Jusuf Kalla said, the 2018 Asian Para Games was an important momentum or part of the history of Asian nations, especially Indonesia.

"The  2018 Asian Para Games is more than a sports event, more than competition, more than winning medals for the country. But the event is to win the spirit of equality and humanity that embraces diversity, destroying stigma and prejudice. This is an important momentum for the history of Asian nations for the successful 2018 Asian Para Games," Jusuf Kalla said.

Furthermore, Jusuf Kalla also mentioned that athletes who competed in this event had shown various excellences despite their shortcomings. He thanked the participating athletes, because all this week they have shown that people with disabilities are far stronger, better, and more capable than the world thinks. According to Jusuf Kalla, this hard work and extraordinary achievements have undermined obstacles and changed perceptions of people with disabilities. The Asian Para Games 2018 closing ceremony began with a countdown, then continued with the action of the little polices. After that, a moment of silence was carried out to mourn the quake and tsunami victims in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Palu and Donggala, in Central Sulawesi. Besides Indonesian Vice President, there were also the Chairman of the Indonesian Asian Para Games Organizing Committee (INAPGOC) Raja Sapta Oktohari, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, and President of the Asian Paralympic Committee Majid Rashed attending the closing ceremony. (Rezha/trans by PUTRI/AHM)