VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo said the Central Bank is considering to further raise its benchmark interest rate to meet external pressure on the national currency.

The central bank would take further monetary steps by the end of June that could be another increase in benchmark interest rate and relaxation of loan for house (Loan to Value), Perry said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He said the Central Bank would be consistent in applying the pre-emptive policy and to continue to be ahead of the curve to meet the pressure against stability as a result of the increase in the fund rate of the U.S. Central Bank, and the policy of the European Central Bank.

"Bank Indonesia is ready to launch a pre-emptive , front loading and ahead of the curve policy . Further step could be raising the interest rate and at the same time relaxation of LTV policy to boost the housing sector," he said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

In addition the central bank would continue to optimize double intervention in the state securities and foreign exchange market and while keeping a loose liquidity, he said.

He said he was confident the Indonesian economy, especially financial asset market will remain strong that would attract foreign as well as domestic investors.

Bank Indonesia already raised its benchmark interest rate twice this year from 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent and to 4.75 percent in a bid to meet the global financial market pressure on rupiah.

The external pressure came with the normalization of the U.S. monetary policy and improvement in the U.S. economic data that resulted in reversal in the flows of funds previously flowing into developing economies including Indonesia.

Bank Indonesia is now applying a monetary policy heading toward tight bias and is set to optimize the room still available for raising the benchmark interest rate depending on the economic condition.

On Monday , Perry said Bank Indonesia will focus on maintaining economic stability such as by creating stability of the rupiah value against the U.S. dollar.

"Currently creating stability of rupiah value is the top priority for Bank Indonesia," he said in Sukoharjo.

Perry, however, predicted that foreign funds would return back to the country later this month.

"We will provide the best service in welcoming the funds flowing back to the country starting June 19," he said. (ANTARA)

The United Kingdom (UK) Visas & Immigration service is easing visa application processes for Indonesian students by reducing the documentation requirements for Tier-4 student visa applicants.

The adjustment is being made under changes to the UK’s Immigration Rules, due to come into effect on July 6, as revealed in a statement received Jakarta, Tuesday.

British Ambassador to Indonesia Moazzam Malik stated that the changes mean Indonesian students will no longer be required to provide evidence of finances, qualifications, or their English language ability along with their visa application.

"This simplification of the UK visa process for Indonesian students is great news for thousands of young people starting courses this autumn and for those considering to take up studies in the UK in years to come," Ambassador Malik noted.

Changes in the visa application processes also mean that Indonesian students will no longer need to apply from within Indonesia to be eligible to benefit from the new rule.

Malik explained that the UK is making it easier for Indonesian students to come and study in its educational institutions.

"I am proud that the quality of our education is continuing to attract the brightest and best from Indonesia and am grateful for the contribution they make to education in Britain," he added.

In the year ending March 2018, the UK had issued around 2.5 thousand Tier-4 study visas to Indonesian students, and 96 percent of those who applied were successful. (ANTARA)

Asian Games 2018 which will be held in Jakarta and Palembang, is not only echoed domestically but also internationally. Indonesian government is promoting the grand sport event to the African continent, including in Cairo, Egypt. The Embassy of Indonesia in Cairo is promoting Indonesia as the host country of the Asian Games which will take place from 18 August to 2 September to a number of media in Egypt on several occasions, such as during a meeting between the Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt, Helmy Fauzy and the local media crew.

Ambassador Helmy Fauzy has remarked in Cairo recently that the Asian Games with 47 sports and 45 countries involve in it has a great power for sports lovers in the world, including in Egypt. He hopes that the socialization to Egypt’s  local media can boost the visit from Egypt to Indonesia this year.

“…We’ve just expressed that the Asian Games will be followed by 45 countries with 47 sports branches. Unfortunately, Egypt does not join in the Asian Games, because Egypt is part of Africa. But hopefully by explaining this to the Egyptians, this is also a momentum for them to come to Indonesia to witness an interesting event, namely the biggest sporting event in Asia.” Ambassador said .

In addition to the Asian Games, Indonesia also socializes the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund -IMF and World Bank -WB in Nusa Dua, Bali in October. Egypt will take part in the event. The two big events are expected to contribute to increased number of tourist visits from Egypt to Indonesia. In 2017, more 7,000 Egyptian tourists visited Bali via Ngurah Rai airport. In addition to Bali, Jakarta was also an alternative destination with the number of visits reaching more than 5,000 tourists. (Rian)

The European Union's decision to lift the travel ban for Indonesian airlines on June 14, 2018 is expected to give positive impacts on the aviation industry. Head of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce - Kadin, Rosan Perkasa Roeslani has said in Jakarta recently that the removal of the travel ban will eventually boost the tourism sector.

He also stated that the lifting of the travel ban will increase connectivity. He added that his side is expecting to boost the tourism sector because there will be direct flights. He  is happy because Indonesian airlines have been accepted to fly in Europe and it will certainly have its effects. Rosan further said that he has held discussions with Garuda Indonesia Director, Pahala N. Mansury in relation to the lifting of the travel ban. From the discussion, Rosan said that there are possibilities to open a direct flight to Paris. (Tempo)