VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has targeted Indonesia to rank seventh in the 2018 Asian Para Games which will take place in Jakarta on October 6-13.

"We expect Indonesia can finish in top seven in the 2018 Asian Para Games. Indonesia ranked ninth at the 2014 Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea," Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi said in Ternate, North Maluku, on Sunday.

The Indonesian contingent is expected to win 16 gold medals from 18 sports in the 2018 Asian Para Games.

At the 2014 Asian Para Games, Indonesia collected a total of nine gold, 11 silver and 18 bronze medals.

"I urge Chef de Mission (Cdm) Asian Para Games 2018 Arminsyah to ensure that the results of the trial championships can meet the target," he said.

In addition, the 2018 Asian Para Games emphasized the spirit of equality for persons with disabilities.

"Ternate is the city of the sultans. The development of a variety of cultures and traditions is truly echoed in this place. The same spirit is also raised in the torch relay of Asian Para Games in Ternate. The spirit is to respect anyone including persons with disabilities," the minister remarked.

The 2018 Asian Para Games will be held in Jakarta and Palembang from October 6-13 and participated by 41 countries with 2,800 athletes, 1,800 officials and 500 media, both domestic and abroad.

There are 18 sports to be competed at the 2018 Asian Para Games, namely basketball, volleyball, fencing, table tennis, swimming, shooting, judo, cycling, chess, weightlifting, bowling, goalball, badminton, running, archery, boccia, handball, and tennis. (ANTARA)

Indonesia is one of the countries affected by the strengthening United States Dollar (US). At present rupiah exchange rate against is still above Rp. 14,000 per US Dollar. The strengthening of the US Dollar exchange rate has affected business sector that relies on imports. However, on the other hand the strengthening of the US Dollar exchange rate has a positive impact on export-oriented business sectors. These impacts include increasing their profits which have implications to increase the country's foreign exchange reserves. This was stated by economist and capital market observer Lucky Bayu Purnomo in a discussion held by one of the private radio stations in Jakarta, Saturday, September 8, 2018.

“I think that is a logical and market opinion that when the US Dollar strengthens it becomes an opportunity for several sectors and there are also sectors that are under pressure. And mining is the most profitable sector,” Lucky Purnomo said.

Lucky Purnomo further explained that in addition to mining, other sectors that benefited most from the strengthening of the US dollar exchange rate were plantation sectors that were equally export-oriented and had trading partners based on US dollars. He also said the strengthening of the US dollar exchange rate should be used as a momentum to encourage exports and national logistics so that they will not compete with other countries which also affected by the strengthening of the US dollar exchange rate. (VOI / Rezha/DP)

Director of Asia and Pacific of Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Edi Yusuf has said in Jakarta recently that President Joko Widodo accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi will make state visit to South Korea on 10-11 September 2018. At the meeting, President Joko Widodo and South Korean President, Moon Jae-in will talk about economic cooperation and sign 6 memoranda of understanding and government-to-government -G2G.

“There will be memoranda of understanding. Firstly, it’s in the field of legislation between Indonesian cabinet secretary and South Korean Legacy  Ministry. Secondly, there is cooperation in the field of immigration. Thirdly, it’s an economic cooperation between Coordinating Economic Ministry and MOTIES. This will hold a regular meeting for economic ministry with Trade Ministry, Industry and Energy Ministry of Korea. Fourthly, there will be cooperation in the field of developing human resources between Ministry of Administrative Reform and Ministry of South Korea Management Personnel. Then, there will be MoU about maritime security between Maritime Security Agency and Korean Coast Guard. The last point is that there is MoU between Ministry of Environment and Forest and South Korean Environment Ministry,” Edi Yusuf said.

Moreover, Edi  Yusuf also said that the MoU in the field of immigration will make easier for Indonesian people enter South Korea, because it will shorten  time  and reduce the cost of making visa. Probably, the MoU will be developed  to be facility of free visa for Indonesian people who want to visit South Korea in the future. (VOI/Rezha/Trans by AF/RHM)

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi will leave Jakarta for Berlin, Germany to open Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) Chapter Berlin on 14 September 2018. The forum is the same with previous BDF Chapter Tunis. Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry,Arrmanatha Nasir  has said in Jakarta recently that the forum will talk about immigration issues.

“The theme to be discussed is democracy and migration. Maybe, it has been known about the focus of the forum and it is related to the previous forum in European regarding with the immigrant issues. Approximately, there will be 140 participants fromBali Democracy Forum Chapter Berlin,” Armanatha said.

Moreover, Arrmanatha explained that Indonesia has many experiences with democracy. It has  also handled about immigration so that Indonesia can share experiences to other countries. The output of BDF Chapter Berlin will be brought to the 11^th Bali Democracy Forum -BDF in Bali on November 2018. (Rezha/Trans by AF/RHM)