Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition or MICE is one of the contributors to foreign exchange for the Indonesian tourism industry. Indonesian tourism industry actors make their contributions by organizing the Indonesia MICE International Expo on May 2 to 3, 2019 in Jakarta. In a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday (10/1) a representative from a MICE company, Panca R. Sarungu, stated the reason for holding the event.

"We organize this Indonesia international MICE expo so that we become part of the association of MICE international community. We initiated this to explore an event that could be considered the largest MICE event by inviting nearly 100 buyers and 1000 to 1500 companies. This will be a platform for Indonesia tourism industry especially those will focus on MICE, Panca R. Sarungu said.

On similar occasion, representatives of the event organizers, Jim Tehusijarana, targeted 100 sellers from the hotel MICE, owners or managers of the convention hall to collaborate. The event held for the first time is expected to increase the potential of MICE Indonesia to support the Ministry of Tourism's target and increase the country's foreign exchange income from MICE by 2.5 billion US dollars. (VOI/NUKE/trans DP/AHM)

Indonesia’s Trade Ministry has targeted to achieve an export growth of 7.5 percent in 2019, slightly higher than 7.47 percent recorded during the period from January to November 2018.

"We have targeted 7.5 percent (of export growth). It has been decided at our meeting in the Trade Ministry. We have to discuss this further with other ministries," Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita remarked in Jakarta on Thursday.

Lukita said the target has taken into account the current global economy that has been overshadowed by the trade war.

Despite its indirect impact on Indonesia, the trade war has affected some destination countries for Indonesian exports.

In a bid to improve its exports, Lukita remarked that the ministry had continued to expand its exports to non-traditional markets, in addition to its traditional markets, such as China, the United States, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand.

In 2018, the ministry had recorded a higher export value to non-traditional markets, such as Bangladesh, with an increase of 15.9 percent; Turkey, 10.4 percent; Myanmar, 17.3 percent; Canada, nine percent; New Zealand, 16.8 percent; Poland, 23.3 percent; and Nigeria, 17.3 percent.

"We open greater access to export markets by improving international trade agreements and trade mission to boost export to non-traditional markets," the minister stated.

The ministry has targeted to sign 12 trade agreements in 2019: Indonesia-Mozambique Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), Indonesia-Tunisia PTA, ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA), and 1st Protocol to Amend of ASEAN Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Investment and Services).

The other agreements are the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Indonesia-Iran PTA, Indonesia-Morocco PTA, Indonesia-Turkey CEPA, Indonesia-Korea CEPA, Indonesia-European Union CEPA and RCEP. (ANTARA)

The Ministry of Trade has revised steel import rules in Minister of Trade Regulation No. 22 of 2018, concerning Provisions on the Import of Iron or Steel, Alloy Steel, and Derivative Products to become Minister of Trade Regulation No. 110 of 2018.

"We will evaluate if the control is post-border and if the upstream industry would be disrupted. Therefore, we have revised the rules and returned supervision to the border," Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said in Jakarta on Thursday.

Since it was promulgated on Dec 20, 2018, Regulation of the Minister of Trade 110 of 2018 concerning Provisions on the Import of Iron or Steel will take effect one month later, namely on Jan 20, 2019.

Lukita explained that as much as 52 percent of national steel consumption needs, which reached 13.6 million tons in 2017, included imported products.

In 2018, use of imported steel increased to 55 percent to meet the demand of 14.2 million tons.

In view of this trend, the Minister of Trade proposed to the Coordinating Minister for Economy Darmin Nasution that supervision be returned to the customs.

It is known that Permendag (the ministerial decree) 22 Year 2018 has changed three times. The change was intended to accelerate the process of goods flow at the port (dwelling time) for iron and steel products.

However, the regulation was actually used by importers to replace the harmonized system number (HS) from carbon steel to alloy steel.

With the presence of Minister of Trade Regulation 110 of 2018, the Minister of Trade has ensured that steel imports will be re-regulated even though the supervision is still carried out by customs officials at the border. (ANTARA)

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno LP Marsudi emphasized the neutrality of Indonesian diplomats in the political year 2019. In Jakarta on Wednesday (1/9), she instructed all Indonesian diplomats under her Ministry to help make the 2019 General Election a success, which will be held next April across Indonesia.

"Entering the political year, I want to emphasize that all Indonesian diplomats must be neutral and continue to uphold professionalism in their work. I have asked all Indonesian Representatives abroad to help make the 2019 Election a success. Every vote of the Indonesian people, including Indonesian citizens abroad, is valuable in determining Indonesia's future, " Retno Marsudi said.

Minister Retno LP Marsudi further expressed his appreciation to all diplomats and staff at the Center and at Representatives, especially in representatives that are vulnerable and dangerous for their dedication and hard work. Appreciation was also conveyed to the Indonesian House of Representatives, especially Commission I for the cooperation that has been established in supporting Indonesia's foreign diplomacy. Minister Retno also pointed out that diplomacy is inclusive so that it is no longer dominated by diplomat work, but also by various other stakeholders. (VOI/Ndy/AHM)