VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of Agriculture has facilitated PT Nutricell Pacific to export five tons of cashew oil as raw material for veterinary drugs to Germany with a value of IDR 917 million.

This is the first time Nutricell export to European countries is the first time Nutricell after previously entering the Southeast Asia market, namely Vietnam.

Director-General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health at the ministry, Nasrullah said in a statement in Jakarta that this increase in exports is also one of the targets of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Ministry of Agriculture continues to strive to increase exports of various agricultural commodities through the Threefold Movement for Agricultural Exports (Gratieks).

"We must interpret the Gratieks program in three ways, one of which is that the cultivation system can meet domestic needs but also supplying world needs," he said.

With Gratieks, Nasrullah continued, we hope it that export activities can open up export opportunities for Indonesian breeders, and improve the welfare of smallholder breeders.

He explained that Indonesian livestock commodities have been able to penetrate international markets, such as processed chicken meat, swallow's nest, animal feed, and veterinary medicine.

This is the second export of raw veterinary drugs to Germany with a value of 53,000 euros after in 2019, Nutricell exported it to Vietnam.

Nutricell CEO Suaedi Sunanto emphasized that since obtaining a production permit in 2015, the company has continued to improve itself to become a player in the veterinary drug industry that is able to contribute to fulfilling protein needs for the Indonesian people.

Nutricell continues to be committed to delivering superior products that are safe for humans and target animals, creating a food safety quality control group, and building a global laboratory network with partners.

Meanwhile, the Director of Animal Health of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fadjar Sumping, said that the situation and development of the veterinary drug pharmaceutical industry have moved towards products that are safe, environmentally friendly, and sustainable.

This is also inseparable from the duties and functions of the Center for Quality Testing and Certification of Veterinary Drugs (BBPMSOH) as a technical service unit (UPT) under the Ministry of Agriculture which is tasked with ensuring the quality of quality and safe veterinary medicines for the realization of a healthy and prosperous society.

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the export performance of livestock commodities in 2020 for the January-August period was recorded at 201,708 tons with $540.15 million or equivalent to IDR7.83 trillion.

With the Gratieks program, the Ministry of Agriculture targets the growth of livestock export volume in 2024 to increase by 300 percent to 884,212 tonnes to 100 destination countries. (Antaranews)

Indonesia and Singapore have agreed on a travel corridor arrangement (TCA) during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is earmarked for important business trips as well as diplomatic and official travel.

The travel corridor arrangement referred to by the Singapore authorities as a reciprocal green lane (RGL) will come into effect on 26 October 2020.

"This means that the two countries will start accepting applications on October 26, 2020. Travel will be carried out immediately within a few days according to the immigration e-visa application process for Indonesia and safe travel pass for Singapore," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi when launching the TCA Indonesia. -Singapore online, Monday.

Stating that the Indonesia-Singapore TCA does not apply to ordinary trips or tours, Retno stressed that implementing strict health protocols will be a major part of the arrangement.

Under this arrangement, an applicant from Indonesia must have a sponsor from the government or a company in Singapore to apply for a safe travel pass, while an applicant from Singapore must have a government or company sponsor in Indonesia to apply for a visa online at the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration.

Regarding the temporary exit and entry points, there are two points, namely Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal Singapore and Batam Center Ferry Terminal for sea travel and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Changi International Airport for air travel.

Then regarding the PCR test requirements, there will be two tests, namely the first test within 72 hours before departure and the second test upon arrival at the airport or ferry terminal.

The PCR test results referred to must be issued by a health institution that is jointly recognized by the two countries. The list of health institutions will soon be submitted based on the agreement between the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the Singapore Ministry of Health.

"The PCR test is carried out at their own expense by each applicant," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Applicants from Indonesia who meet the requirements are required to register for the TraceTogether and SafeEntry applications while in Singapore, while applicants from Singapore must register for the e-HAC and PeduliLindungi applications while in Indonesia.

"The remaining time until October 26 will be used by the teams of the two countries to coordinate and continue to finalize preparations at the technical level so that their respective systems are truly ready to accept TCA / RGL applications," said Retno.

Before Singapore, Indonesia had agreed on and implemented a travel corridor with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Korea, and China. (Antaranews)

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi went to England and Switzerland to explore cooperation in procuring COVID-19 vaccines both through bilateral and multilateral schemes.

"The major objective of this trip is to secure commitments from other sources for the COVID-19 vaccine in the framework of bilateral vaccine cooperation," said Retno in an online press conference from Jakarta, Monday.

In addition, Foreign Minister Retno, accompanied by the Minister of BUMN and the Ministry of Health team, will hold a meeting with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) and representatives of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to discuss the COVAX initiative.

Through the COVAX or COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility, GAVI is in charge of coordinating vaccine procurement, while CEPI monitors research and development of vaccine candidates.

Under the COVAX initiative, the purchase of the COVID-19 vaccine, once available, will be carried out through one door, namely from the UNICEF Complaints Division in Copenhagen, Denmark - one of the world's largest humanitarian aid channels.

In this cooperation scheme, UNICEF is tasked with coordinating the purchase and delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine to more than 140 countries, including Indonesia, so that each country has equal and affordable access to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The aim of the Indonesian government's visit to England and Switzerland is also to encourage the strengthening of medium and long-term cooperation between the domestic vaccine producer PT Bio Farma and its partners abroad. (Antaranews)

The Chinese Consulate General in Denpasar donated several smartphones to students from 16 schools in Bali through the Education, Youth, and Sports Department in Bali

A written statement received from the Chinese Consul General in Denpasar, Friday, reported that the donation was handed over by Deputy Consul General Chen Wei in the third " Kang Cing Wie Book Corner" on Thursday (8/10).

In a virtual event that also attended by the Head of the Bali Provincial Education Office, KN Boy Jayawibawa, and representatives from the 16 schools that received the donation, Chen Wei expressed his appreciation for the enthusiasm of students active in overcoming various difficulties to study during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He hopes that the students will use the donated cellphones well and will become the backbone of the Indonesian state and envoys of friendship between China and Indonesia.

"China will always provide support to Indonesia in its fight against the pandemic and hopes that this pandemic will soon pass so that teachers and students can return to classrooms soon," he said.

On that occasion, Dr. KN. Boy Jayawibawa expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the KJRRT in Denpasar, which has been very concerned about the development of education in Bali, especially Balinese youth.

He said Bali will strengthen educational cooperation with China. "I urge students who receive donations to remain active and diligent in studying and contribute to the development of Indonesia and the friendship between China and Indonesia," he said.

The Chinese Consul General in Denpasar also handed over a thousand masks to the Bali Bureau of the ANTARA Bureau, which was sent via courier.

"Thank you for your support," said the Head of the Bali LKBN Bureau, Edy M Ya'kub, via WhatsApp chat to the staff of the Chinese Consulate General in Denpasar shortly after receiving the assistance. (Antaranews)