VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Octaviano Alimuddin, said the bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Iran in politics and economy increase significantly. He told RRI World Service-Voice of Indonesia recently said that after the visit of President JokoWidodo to Iran, there was an increase in trading volume of more than 50 percent. In 2016, Indonesia and Iran set a trade volume of 338 million US dollars. He said Indonesian Crude Palm Oil-CPO and food products exports to Iran posted an increase. He hopes Indonesian automotive and textile Products can enter Iran market in the future.

“We want also to further pursue the market of Iran for our textile industry and automotive industry. That’s why for Indonesia we are pursuing to finalize the preferential trade agreement which we have serious of negotiation. 2017 we have two negotiation and we have in 2018 we will also have another negotiation before we could finalize the PTA (Preferential Trade Agreement),” Octaviano Alimuddin said.

Octaviano further said, in the field of investment, based on data from the Investment Coordinating Board, Iran was the big 33rd investor which invests in 17 projects in Indonesia until 2017. He hopes in 2018, Iranian investment will increase. He also stressed that currently there are several Indonesia-Iran joint projects in Palu and Situbondo. In politics, Iran supports Indonesia's candidacy as the UN Non-Permanent Security Council in 2019. In addition, Indonesia and Iran also frequently conduct consultations between government and hold frequent visit of both senior officials.////(VOI/SEKAR/DP)

Head of National Aeronautics and Space Agency - LAPAN, Prof. Thomas Djamaluddin M.Sc, said that LAPAN will build a national observatory center in Mount Timau, East Nusa Tenggara. To RRI World Service-Voice of Indonesia, Monday (21/5) he explained, that the development is a cooperation between LAPAN, Bogor Agricultural Institute and Cendana University. In addition to the center of the observatory, the science center will also be built in Kupang. Mount Timau, East Nusa Tenggara was chosen as the location of national observatory center because it has the longest sunny night, no light pollution and good access. Currently, the construction is in the telescope-making step which started since the beginning of this year.

“We have signed a contract with a Japanese company to create a 3.8 meter telescope that will be the largest telescope in Southeast Asia. While the process is done in Japan, it is targeted to complete until the end of 2019, shipped to Indonesia to be installed at the telescope building. We are targetting it can be operated at the beginning of 2020,” Thomas Djamaluddin said.

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Thomas Djamaluddin furthermore said, that the telescope at the observatory will have the latest and efficient technology. It will be used for astrophysical research related to star observations, nebulae and galaxy structures. It is hoped the telescope can contribute a better understanding of the universe to the people. In addition, the telescope is also located in the equator so that it can observe the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere. Therefore, it can be utilized for international cooperation especially with the northern countries like Japan, Europe and America. With its long history of astronomical research since 1923, Indonesia is considered the most experienced country in astronomical research, so it can invite countries in Southeast Asia to cooperate. Currently Thailand and the Philippines are also build large telescopes, so that research cooperation with the countries can be implemented. (VOI/SEKAR/NT)

Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) encourages all Indonesian farmers to use Biological Organic Fertilizer in developing agriculture. The Plantwhich uses Biological Organic Fertilizer (POH) is more durable towardpest. The plant can also increase the biochemical quality of agricultural land. Technology of LIPI’s Biological Organic Fertilizer has been applied by more than 6,000 farmers in 70 regencies and cities in Indonesia.Moreover, the Fertilizer  can increase agricultural production significantly. It was stated by a researcher of Biological Research Center of LIPI Sarjiya Antonius after Media Briefing about LIPI Biological Organic Fertilizer for Nutritious and Sustainable Food Supply at Media Center of LIPI in Jakarta on Monday (21/05).

“I want farmers can change their mindset.They do not depend on chemical fertilizer by ignoring the fertility of land. Every time I disseminate information and introduce Bio-organic Fertilizer.  The farmers have to decline the use of chemical fertilizer.  Secondly, keeping organic fertilizer, thirdly if using chemical fertilizer, we must follow Standard Operational Procedure (SOP).Because herbicide and pesticide affected to the nerve. We are not aware now, that in the next few years it will be very harmful for health,” Sarjiya Antonius said.

Sarjiya Antonius also explained that the production technology and application of Biological Organic Fertilizer have been produced continuously and independently in many farmer groups and practitioners in many regions in Indonesia. Antonius further said that the use of Biological Organic Fertilizer can give positive impact socially and economically because the use of the Fertilizer can reduce the production cost, make the food more nutritious and does not contaminate the environment. (VOI/AF/NT)

Indonesia and Japan agreed to increase their support of humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees during the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The commitment of both countries was conveyed by Indonesia Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi while meeting with her Japanese counterpart Taro Kono on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in San Martin Palace, Buenos Aires, Argentina on Monday, a press release from the Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Tuesday.

Marsudi discussed the situation in Palestine, especially the dwindling humanitarian aids for Palestine refugees, with Japanese foreign minister. Both ministers agreed to increase their support to Palestine through Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD).

"We agreed to strengthen CEAPAD cooperation to support Palestine. Indonesia hopes Japan will not move its embassy to Jerusalem," Marsudi noted in her Twitter account.

Marsudi and Kono also exchanged views on Indo-Pacific cooperation and ASEAN centrality in the region. The G-20 Foreign Ministers meeting was attended by foreign ministers of G-20 member states and invited guests. ( antara )

During Sunday`s session, the foreign ministers discussed the general global outlook, while Monday`s agenda focused on multilateralism and global governance as a response to new cross-border challenges, ranging from cybersecurity to the use of information and communication technologies to the changing paradigms in trade and migration.

On the second day of the meeting, Marsudi conducted bilateral meetings with several foreign ministers, such as Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Saudi Arabian FM Adel bin Ahmed Al Jubeir, and Britih FM Boris Johnson. (antara)