VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia may play a mediatory role in the Japan-South Korea trade rift by urging them to begin contemplating a diplomatic settlement rather than continuing with retaliatory measures, Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita stated in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday.

After attending a bilateral meeting with South Korea's Trade Minister Yoo Myung-Hee in Bangkok, Lukita noted that the trade rift between Japan and South Korea may have an adverse impact on the economic sector, both in the region and world.

"Without substantially intervening in the conflicts, we had spoken to our South Korean counterpart that the trade war may be undesirable for the global and regional economies, and the rift would benefit nobody," Lukita remarked on the sidelines of the 51th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting (AEM).

The Trade Ministry's records showed that Japan and South Korea are close allies of Indonesia. By 2018-end, Indonesia's trade surplus with Japan had touched US$1.4 billion while that with South Korea had reached $451 million. However, during the January-June 2019 period, Indonesia had posted $441 million of trade deficit with South Korea.

On July 4, Japan had declared it will tighten controls on the shipments of three chemicals -- hydrogen fluoride, photoresists, and fluorinated polyamides -- to South Korea that were key materials for the production of semiconductors for South Korea's top electronics manufacturers, including Samsung.

Japan claimed that the restrictions were imposed over the belief that South Korea had leaked sensitive information to North Korea. However, South Korea refuted the accusations, as Japan had failed to furnish details to its claim.

While retaliating to Japan's move, South Korea had also boycotted Japanese beers and clothing brands. Moreover, in mid-August, the South Korean government had planned to exclude Japan from a list of trusted trading partners. (ANTARA)

 Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita held bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart, Simon Birmingham on the sidelines of the 51st ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting (AEM) held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sunday.

The meeting took place a few hours before ministerial negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) multilateral economic agreement which has been under negotiations for several years.

RCEP which is still a draft free trade pact covers 16 countries which make up 40 percent of the global gross domestic product.

Heads of state/government from 16 RCEP member states have expressed the hope the substantial discussion of the pact could be concluded in November 2019. Australia is one of the 16 countries involved in RCEP and has great interests in this pact.

Lukita is scheduled to deliver the outcome of his bilateral talks with the Australian trade minister and ministerial meeting for RCEP on Sunday evening local time.

During the opening of the 51st AEM on Friday, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in the capacity as ASEAN Chairman underlined the significance of finalizing the RCEP agreement at the end of this year. He believes that the RCEP will promote closer and more stable economic, trade, and investment climate between ASEAN member states and their partners.

"The finalization of RCEP this year will reflect the trust of the region and dialog partners in synchronizing trade and investment," he stated.

RCEP agreement is also considered important to increase trade among countries in the region amidst the escalation of global trade tensions and potential global economic recession.

RCEP is an ASEAN-centered proposal for a regional free trade area that will initially include the 10 ASEAN member states and those countries that have existing free trade agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN: Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, and New Zealand. (ANTARA)

Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin (SMB) II Airport in Palembang, South Sumatra, has won four prestigious international awards from the International Airport Council in the field of services, making it one of the best airports in the Asia Pacific region.

"We received the prestigious awards on September 4 during the Customer Experience Global Summit 2019 held in Nusa Dua, Bali, and attended by executives of world airport operators," Executive General Manager of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin (SMB) II Airport, Fahroji told Antara in Palembang on Sunday.

The council bestowed the prestigious awards upon the airport in recognition of service transformation program launched by state airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I, supported by the development of physical infrastructure and the application of information technology by involving all units, he said.

The four awards were given to the airport for Best Airport by Size and Region (2-5 million passengers in Asia-Pacific), Best Environment and Ambience by Size (2-5 million passengers). Best Customer Service by Size (2-5 million passengers) and, Best Infrastructure and Facility by Size (2-5 million passengers).

"The awards are also the fruit of cooperation between airport community that always work professionally and wholeheartedly to serve airport service users and stakeholders in South Sumatra that support our work programs," he said. (ANTARA)

Mina Bahari Building IV in the Indonesian Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Ministry compound has emerged as the first winner of the ASEAN Energy Award 2019 in the energy-efficient building category.

"The achievement is an improvement on the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Ministry's participation in the same event last year when it was the first runner up for the same category in the green building subcategory," Secretary General of the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Ministry Nilanto Perbowo said in a press statement released Saturday. The ASEAN Energy Award is the highest reward in the energy field in Southeast Asia. The reward is presented to the management of buildings for excellence in the energy field since 2000.

The other recipients this year are South Beach Building in Singapore and Central Plaza Rayong in Thailand.

As the winner of the Subroto Award 2018 for the category of efficient energy in the subcategory of new buildings, Mina Bahari Building IV is one of the Indonesian representatives in the award organized by the ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE).

Mina Bahari Building IV is also the only government building to compete with commercial buildings in Southeast Asia for the award.

"The achievement reflects the commitment of the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Ministry to being energy-efficient and environmental conservation and is expected to promote public awareness of new and renewable energy use and development and energy conservation," he said (ANTARA)