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January
Trade Balance 2017 Surplus to 11.84 Billion US Dollar
Written by Ani Hasanah
Central Bureau of Statistics –BPS has recorded a balance of trade during 2017 was surplus to 11.84 billion US dollars. Head of the Central Bureau of Statistics, Kecuk Suhariyanto, said that although the trade balance in December 2017 experienced a deficit, overall the trade balance during 2017 grew up. In a press briefing held in Jakarta on Monday (15/1), he explained, the trade surplus worth 11.85 billion US Dollar is much higher than the year 2016. This surplus was supported by the large non-oil and gas trade contribution worth 20 billion US Dollars.
"It can be seen the movement, in 2013 and 2014 there were deficit, in 2015 surplus of 7.67 billion US dollars, in 2016, 9.53 billion US dollars, in 2017 it was the highest surplus of 11.84. We hope and optimistic, in 2018 the surplus will be greater," Kecuk Suhariyanto said.
Suhariyanto further explained, during 2017 there were some countries that have trade surplus such as India, the United States and the Netherlands. However, Indonesia has a trade deficit with China, Thailand and Australia. The trade balance in December 2017 suffered a deficit worth 270 million US Dollars. The export value of 2017 worth 14.8 billion US Dollars fell down 3.45 percent from the previous month. The import value worth 15.06 billion, the figure was also down compared to November 2017. When combined, the December 2017 trade balance suffered a deficit of 0.27 billion US Dollars// (Sekar/trs.Rezha)
January
Minister Retno Marsudi Receives Phone Call from Tillerson
Written by Ani Hasanah
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi on Monday received a 30-minute call from US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted on Monday that Tillerson, during the phone call, conveyed the US` wish to improve its bilateral relation with Indonesia. Marsudi and Tillerson also discussed issues of Palestine, especially the US' plan to withhold millions of dollars of humanitarian aid for UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which is the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Marsudi told Tillerson that US should carefully consider the plan in cutting its contribution to UN Relief Agency. Spokesperson of Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir noted in Jakarta on Monday that Minister Retno Marsudi expected that the US` move would not have a negative impact on the education and housing programs for the Palestinian refugees During the phone call, Marsudi and Tillerson also discussed the idea of a fair, open, and transparent regional architecture in Indo-Pacific region to promote the ecosystem of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.////Antara
January
Indonesian President Joko Widodo Hopes People’s Economic Enhancement Through Cash For Work Program
Written by Ani HasanahIndonesian President Joko Widodo reviewed the implementation of the cash for work program implemented by the Ministry of Public Works and People's Housing, in Dukuh Lor, Lebaksiu subdistrict, Tegal regency, Central Java. President Joko Widodo told the press that the program which was started in 2017 to support the people's economy. In the labor-intensive program implemented by the Ministry, the government mobilized a number of communities to improve the 130 hectares irrigation channel. According to the President, the program will provide benefits for the improvement of the community's economy.
"Cash for work, is labor-intensive. we just started the program a year ago, then we have started to make tertiary irrigation. wages for a construction worker is 100 thousand while 80 thousand for helper according to the standards of wage in Tegal and surrounding areas, and paid once a week. I think this is a lot of benefit, it can increase the money circulating in the community and we expect the level of consumption, the purchasing power of the local is getting more increase, because there is cash for work, both in the ministry of Public Works, the ministry of transportation, Ministry of Marine and Fisheries- KKP, all will complete this work . There are 150-160 workers who work here", President Joko Widodo said.
President Joko Widodo further mentioned that the cash for work program is implemented by 19 ministries and institutions throughout Indonesia. Cash for work is a government program in encouraging economic equity among the community. This program is implemented to support the Village Fund program that has been running for three years// Ndy/Trs.N
January
President Confirms That Rice Imports to Strengthen Reserves
Written by Ani HasanahIndonesian President Joko Widodo, Monday in Tegal Central Java, commented on the rice import decisions made by the Indonesian Ministry of Trade. After reviewing the implementation of cash-for-work program at Dukuh Lor, Lebaksiu Sub-district, Tegal regency, on Monday, January 15th the President said the rice import plan is intended to strengthen domestic rice reserves while anticipating regional rice price fluctuations.
"That is to strengthen our rice reserves, so there will be no price fluctuations in some regions," President Joko Widodo said.
Earlier Indonesian Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita announced plans to import 500 thousand tons of government rice from Vietnam. In a press statement, Enggartiasto explained that the rice to be imported is a special kind of rice or premium rice. Meanwhile, Head of the Agricultural Human Resources Development and Development Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Momon Rusmono, said the rice imported by the Ministry of Trade is categorized into special rice, aimed primarily at health, hotels, restaurants and catering. In the sale of such rice will not be traded to the public. (Ndy trans by Rezha)