VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The trade value of Indonesia and Cuba during January to October 2018 reached more than 13 million US Dollars. The two countries must have benefited a lot from trade relations. This was conveyed by the Indonesian Minister of Manpower, Muhammad Hanif Dhakiri in his remarks representing the Indonesian government on the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution in JakartaFriday night (Jan 11). Minister Dhakiri hopes that the collaboration can be further improved because there are still many opportunities that can be explored from the trade relationship.

“In terms of trade, Indonesia and Cuba together have managed to reach more than 13 Million US Dollars during the period of January to October 2018. I believe we are both benefited from the trade and there are still many opportunities to be further explored to increase our economic ties," said Dhakiri.

On the occasion, Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri said Indonesia would continue to support the UN Resolution on the Necessity to End the economic, trade and financial embargoes imposed by the United States against Cuba. Indonesia understands that Cuban people are certainly suffered socially and economically due to the embargo. The Indonesian government considers that the embargo is not in line with international law, human rights, the UN Charter and the spirit of the 2030 Agenda. For this reason the Indonesian government underlines the need to hold dialogue to stop the embargo and support efforts to normalize the US-Cuba relations. (VOI/AHM)

Bilateral relations between Indonesia and Cuba have been established for 59 years. Indonesia's bilateral relations with Cuba were strengthened by President Soekarno's visit to Cuba in 1960, followed by a visit by President Abdurahman Wahid in 2000 and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2006. The two countries have also been active in the Non-Aligned Movement and G-77. Regarding the embargo sanctions imposed by the United States against Cuba since 1960, the Cuban government expressed its gratitude to the Indonesian government for its permanent support towards the resolution to end the United States embargo on Cuba. This was conveyed by the Cuban Ambassador to Indonesia Nirsia Castro Guevara in her remarks on the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, in Jakarta Friday night (Jan 11).

"I thank this opportunity to express Cuba's gratitude to the Indonesian government for the permanent and sustained support for the resolution entitled Necessity of Ending the Economic, commercial and financial embargoes imposed by the United States of America against Cuba," Nirsia said.

Regarding the cooperation between the two countries in the economic field, Ambassador Nirsia acknowledged, even though there has been cooperation in the field of sports and public health sector, the two countries have not managed to take advantage of it. However, Indonesia and Cuba still wish to further increase the collaboration. (VOI / AHM)

Regent of Pandeglang, Irna Narulita, ensures that the tsunami striking Pandeglang Regency will not disrupt the government’s plan to establish Pandeglang Regency as one of the National Geopark Tourism Destinations in Indonesia. Irna Narulita in Tanjung Lesung, Banten Province, on Saturday (Jan 12) said that the presence of the National Geopark in Pandeglang Regency would support not only the development of local people’s economy through tourism sector but also the development of science to improve the quality of human resources.

“We are trying to realize the plan. We hope Pandeglang can be one of the National Geopark sites. Pandeglang is selected by the central government as the national geopark tourism and we have arranged the regulations to support its realization to the Tourism Ministry. The destination will not only provide amusement for visitors but also develop their knowledge for example the history of Tsunami in Pandeglang. Our younger generations can also explore about the topographical features that have been formed for many years. Therefore, the local government has been trying to establish Pandeglang as one of the national geopark destinations,” said Irna Narulita.

Irma Narulita hopes that the central government can support the tourism development in Pandeglang. According to her, the tourism potential in Pandeglang can be enjoyed not only by domestic but also foreign tourists. She also hopes that Pandeglang Regency can be one of the special economic zones (KEK). RegentIrma Narulita told that Pandeglang has various potentials that can provide contribution for Indonesia’s economy. (VOI/NDY/Trs: Amanda/AHM)

Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency –BNPB, Doni Monardo said in Sukabumi, West Java on Friday that the people in Indonesia still need comprehensive familiarization regarding disaster preparedness. He argued that the government has prepared the infrastructure needed to anticipate the disaster. However, the government also needs to encourage people to be aware of the dangers of disasters so that they can better prepare themselves if disasters come.

"We have to prepare the infrastructure and things related to the ability of our own community to be more aware that we live in the ring of fire, where some of the volcanoes are active. Then, we are in a volcanic fracture. In our place here includes fracture. And this was just checked by Mr. Vishnu. Here where we are is prone to landslides. So actually, the preparedness of our software is enough to support the provision of information to the public. But maybe familiarization is lacking so many people don't understand," Doni Monardo said.

Doni Monardo further stated that Indonesia is in the ring of fire. Thus, it faces a great risk of disaster. He emphasized that Indonesian people must improve awareness to anticipate and mitigate the disasters. He also encourages the community to enhance knowledge to reduce risk if affected by disasters. Training on disasters needs to be carried out in accordance with the potential for disaster risks that vary across Indonesia. (VOI/Ndy/AF)