VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Industry Ministry organized the Food and Beverage Exhibition 2019 on November 25-29 in an attempt to promote the domestic industry. "The exhibition is expected to encourage entrepreneurs in the food and beverage sector to promote products and seek inputs from customers," the ministry's Secretary General, Achmad Sigit Dwiwahjono, stated in Jakarta on Monday. The expo showcased a plethora of food and beverage products, including snacks and local culinary delicacies. Dwiwahjono affirmed that the food and beverage industry played a paramount role in the non-oil and gas manufacturing industry that contributed over one-third, or 36.49 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the sector in the third quarter of 2019. An increase in the industry would significantly impact the national GDP. The food and beverage industry sector had clocked a growth of 7.72 percent until the third quarter of 2019 (c-to-c), surpassing the 4.48-percent growth of the non-oil and gas industry and the total economic growth of 5.04 percent. "I am optimistic that this exhibition would run smoothly and successfully and bring a positive impact on development of the food and beverage industry in Indonesia," he added. 

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has drawn focus to three steps deemed necessary for ASEAN member countries and Korea to face global recession and challenges that lie ahead. "The global economic recession could destroy the global economic and financial system and create a sense of distrust toward world economic institutions," Jokowi stated while speaking at the ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ASEAN-RoK) CEO Summit in Busan, South Korea, on Monday. He expressed optimism that ASEAN member countries and South Korea would be adept at facing the challenges and making breakthroughs to stall a further plunge in the regional economy. The president noted that the first of the three steps prioritized quality infrastructure development. "Indonesia will organize an infrastructure and connectivity forum for the Indo-Pacific region. I invite all business players to grab infrastructure and connectivity (projects) in Indonesia and the Indo- Pacific region," he stated.

Indonesia will also focus on streamlining regulations to attract investors through the revision of 74 laws viewed as posing a hindrance to investment. "We will soon revise 74 laws that could hinder investment. I have ordered that it should be completed in the near future," he explained. The second step seeks to bring about an improvement in the quality of human resources deemed paramount for a country to make a notable economic leap. "To this end, revitalizing education to create a link and match between education and the work place is a must," he stated. Jokowi expounded that the third step pertained to renewable energy development. "The ASEAN and Korea must champion the development of renewable energy in the region," he remarked. Indonesia has obligated to use the 20-percent biodiesel blend B20. "Next year, we will meet the obligation to use the 30-percent biodiesel blend B30," he stated. Furthermore, Indonesia will construct hydropower plants to drive large-scale electricity generation, especially in North Kalimantan and Papua provinces. "The development of this renewable energy will produce low emission. This is our commitment to the Paris Agreement," he added.//antara

Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto has appealed to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to exert combined efforts to tackle terrorism. Terrorism poses a threat to state security, and every nation must remain alert to the threat, he remarked while opening the 20th ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting (ACAMM) in Bandung, the capital of West Java Province, on Monday. "I have pinned high hopes for sound communication among ASEAN member states in the event of a terrorism threat," he informed military delegations from ASEAN member states. He highlighted three terrorism-induced threats to ASEAN member states in the form of transnational crimes, radicalism, and terrorism. "Regardless of whether we come to the realization and we like it, a dynamic movement exists that threatens ASEAN member states," he stated. For its part, the former commandant general of the Army's special elite troops (Kopassus) appealed to all countries to establish coordination to thwart the ideology. "Hence, the meeting is hoped to pave the way for sound cooperation among ASEAN member states," he stated. Furthermore, he is upbeat about ASEAN member states establishing sound cooperation as part of the efforts to create peace among all nations in the world. "This is for the sake of strong sovereignty in each ASEAN member state to facilitate continued progress and development in future," he added.//antara

Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea Umar Hadi pointed to an increase in bilateral trade between Indonesia and South Korea over the past five years. "According to the latest figure, it reached a total of US$20 billion in 2018, comprising our exports worth around US$11 billion and our imports of some US$9 billion. We enjoyed a surplus of US$2 billion," he remarked while accompanying Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi during a press conference in Busan, South Korea, on Sunday evening. The Indonesia-South Korea trade performance was productive since both countries traded complementary commodities. Indonesia's products, with potential to penetrate South Korean markets, comprised timber products, food, beverages, processed seafood products, automotive components, and electrical products. "Hence, we still have opportunities to offer more," he remarked. South Korean companies have invested in Indonesia in textile, garment, and footwear industries, among others. "If we notice in Kerawang, Purwakarta, Bandung District, the garment factories belong to Korea. It is for export. Now, it begins to shift to Central Java, such as in Tegal, Kendal, and Semarang," he noted. South Korea has also begun entering major industries, such as petrochemicals. Lotte Chemical, for instance, last year, conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for investment worth US$4.3 billion. Korea has also invested in infrastructure, such as power plants in East Java, Cirebon, and West Java, he remarked. Minister Marsudi affirmed that most of Korea's investment in Indonesia was in the manufacturing sector. "In investment, South Korean investors in Indonesia ranked sixth last year and majority in manufacture," she added. She believed that South Korea is one of the very potential business partners since the country has been actively investing in Indonesia and the ASEAN. "Recently, to be exact in 2017, South Korea issued a policy called the 'New Southern Policy' paying bigger attention to ASEAN," she remarked. About a decade ago, the South Korea and ASEAN trade ranked fifth. "However now, ASEAN is the second-largest partner, after China," she added.//antara