VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government is committed to increasing cooperation with African countries as a potential market for Indonesian products. After attending a ceremony of submitting the credentials of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassadors to the Republic of Indonesia at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (13/2), Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi said that the Indonesian government continued to push for negotiation efforts, so that cooperation between Indonesia and African countries could continue to be improved.

“Africa is one of the potential markets that is being worked on by Indonesia, for example we are currently negotiating it. It's easy for this year's negotiations to be completed. With other African countries we also convey that for this year we will also hold the Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue. This is a continuation of the Indonesia-Africa Forum held last year. And the President said, we want to continue to improve economic cooperation with Africa,” said Retno Marsudi.

In addition to African countries, the Indonesian government also targets Latin American countries as potential markets for Indonesian products. // Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, this year, the Indonesian government plans to hold the Indonesian, Latin American and Caribbean Forums. // This forum is scheduled to be held in October, and will bring together business people from Latin America and Indonesia to enhance trade and investment sector cooperation. // (VOI/Ndy/AHM)

Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Indonesia Valiollah Mohammadi on Tuesday (Feb 12) in Jakarta said that he is optimistic the trade value batween Indonesia and Iran can reach 2 billion US$ in 2020. To Voice of Indonesia, the Ambassador said that both countries have a big potential to increase the economic cooperation especially in trade and investment sectors. The potential of cooperation between Iran and Indonesia is spread in various regions and provinces in Indonesia. He admitted that he has visited several places in Indonesia to see the opportunity of ties improvement between the two countries. He even believed that the value of cooperation can be increased to 20 billion US$ in the next few years. Energy is one of promising sectors to elevate trade and investment cooperation between Indonesia and Iran.

“I’m sure if we can go the same direction we can reach to 2 billion in 2020. I believe that we can reach to the 20 billion USD not for tomorrow or next year, during 5 or 6 years, we can reach to that because there is potential for cooperation. Of course several section we can work together but I think energy is number 1. When we are talking about energy we are tallking about electricity, gas, petrochemical, oil, defineries, power plant station and Iran have a lot of achievement in these fields,” said Valiollah Mohammadi.      

Indonesian and Iranian trade volumes in 2018 reached 1 billion US$ or about 13 trillion Rupiah. Some leading commodities that have been exported to Iran are coffee, palm oil, rubber, textile, shoes and electronics. Good relation between Indonesia and Iran that has been created for years according to Ambassador Valiollah Mohammadi is part of the success of Iran Revolution in 1979. (VOI/Ndy/trs.NK)

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, announced the theme of World Radio Day 2019, which is celebrated on February 13, 2019, namely "Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace". In a message published recently on the UN website, the UN Secretary General acknowledged radio as a powerful communication tool that has played an important role in politics and in maintaining peace.

INSERT (English):

Radio is a powerful tool. Even in today’s world of digital communications, radio reaches more people than any other media platform. It conveys vital information and raises awareness on important issues. And, it is a personal interactive platform where people can air their views concerns and grieves. Radio can create a community. For United Nations, especially our peace keeping operations, radio is a vital way of informing, uniting and empowering people effected by war. On this world radio day let us recognise the power of radio to promote dialogue, tolerance and peace.

The UN organization celebrates World Radio Day by holding a free radio program that is open to the public at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, Wednesday. Activities carried out include workshops to help people gain practical experience in broadcasting and promoting the use of radio as a communication tool. On that day, UNESCO also establishes a temporary radio station to further introduce radio as a tool towards community and peace in the world. (VOI / Lisa / AHM)

Indonesia will make Ethiopia a gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa. Ethiopia's economic growth of up to 7% provides an opportunity for Indonesia to improve economic relations. This was conveyed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti and the African Union, Al Busyra Basnur during an Ambassadorial Farewell Lecture to Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta on Monday. Currently 4 Indonesian companies have entered Ethiopia. It is hoped that after this, Indonesian companies, including small and medium enterprises, can also open business opportunities in Ethiopia. In addition to manufacturing businesses, companies from Indonesia's strategic industries are also trying to enter the country's market. Ambassador Busyra added that one of Indonesia's competing countries in Ethiopia is China. (VOI / BNP)