VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita said that textile is the 3^rd biggest mainstay foreign exchange after tourism and palm oil.  At the discussion of Indonesian Textile Association-API with the theme “Enhancement of Indonesian foreign exchange” through national product of textile and textile product that took place in Bandung, West Java, on Friday, he said that textile and textile product keep growing and developing coinciding with fashion growth and digital era. He also said the product is Indonesian mainstay export product which grows continuously without relying on material and import product, and it has the biggest market in Indonesia.

“One of the most effective ways is by enlivening national market. On one side, export has big opportunity. So, we see that they have a huge opportunity. Therefore, they are setting road map, including investment. Then, they will explain what is requested from the government of Indonesia. What facility, regulation and business situation are needed to attain our export target  to be US $30 billion dollars and domestic need,” said Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita

To support  textile export and product, the government  has opened many market access and investment for African countries. Minister Enggartiasto said that his Ministry has CEPA (comprehensive economic partnership agreement),   Indonesia-Palestine, ASEAN-Hong Kong FTA (free trade agreement) and Investment Agreement, Protocol to amend ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA), ASEAN-Japan Investment, Service, and MTA Agreements, and Protocol to Amend Indonesia-Palestine (PTA). (Skr-Trans by AF/AHM)

General Chairman of Indonesian Textile Association -API , Ade Sudrajat said that Indonesian textile export is predicted to reach US $30 billion dollars in 2025. After attending a discussion with the theme “Increase Indonesian foreign exchange through national product of textile and textile product, he said that businesspeople are now analyzing road map to achieve the target. On Friday (14/9), he said, API is optimistic that the target can be achieved because the demand from the international world is getting increased and over the last 2 years, the textile export and textile product of Indonesia have increased.

“Firstly in 2017, it increased 5 percent. Then, in 2018, it increased again to be 8 percent while it never boosted at previous period. If possible, it can increase 100 percent. We also enhance our export to be US $30 billion dollars. So, the investment opportunity is also huge,” said Ade Sudrajat.

Moreover, Ade Sudrajat also said that an important step to encourage textile export is by  widely promoting market access. The innovation of road map for textile industry and textile product is also necessary to respond uncertainty of the global trade. He also explained that the road map will answer the challenge in national industry and also foreign market access. (Skr/Trans by AF/RHM)

President Joko Widodo officially opened 2 women's meetings in Yogyakarta on Friday. The meetings are the 35th General assembly of the International Council of Women -ICW and the first national meeting of a thousand leaders of women's organizations from all over Indonesia. The President assured Indonesian women that Indonesia is a large country and it has a lot of women with great achievements. The government has 8 women ministers in the cabinet and this proves that the present government is very concerned on Indonesian women. Thus, President Joko Widodo calls for them to sincerely contribute for Indonesian nation.

"This is what I mean as the mother of the nation, who educates our children, as the successor to the future of the nation, who improves the mentality of this nation. That safeguards the morale of citizens and the community, who maintains tools for their children and grandchildren, who drives the economy of citizens and society. So, I agreed Mrs. Giwo conveyed the terms of the mother of the nation. I remind Indonesian women to become the mothers of the nation," President Joko Widodo said.

Meanwhile, Chairwoman of Kowani, Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo said that actually, the task of being a mother of the nation is an honor because the mission is to prepare a superior, characteristic and competitive generation of the nation. The concept of the nation’s mother has been proclaimed by women fighters before Indonesian independence.

“Indeed, the role of the mother of the nation is not a burden, but it’s something honorable by preparing young generation with character, excellence, competitiveness, innovation, creativity and having a militant national insight. And we do not want Indonesian women who have had the concept of the mother of the nation since 1935, before independence, if they are called ‘emak-emak’ or housewives,"said Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo.

The one thousand leaders meeting of women's organizations throughout Indonesia was first held by Kowani and supported by 15 state-owned enterprises. The meeting was held in conjunction with the 35th general assembly of the International Council of Women -ICW, the world women's organization whose age is now 130 years. (RRI Jogjakarta/Munarsih/Trans by Rhm)

Mayor of Surabaya, Risma Tri Rismaharini officially serves as President of the United Cities and Local Government -UCLG Asia Pacific (Aspac) for 2018-2020 periods. Secretary General of Aspac, Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi said that Mayor Risma was elected by acclamation at the congress on the sidelines of the UCLG Aspac meeting at Dyandra Convention Hall in Surabaya, East Java on Friday (9/14/2018). According to Bernadia, all UCLG Aspac members chose Mayor Risma because there was only one candidate. The members proposed Mayor Risma to become president of UCLG-Aspac and hoped to bring about changes. Bernadia also explained that all members agreed because Risma's leadership achievement in building the city of Surabaya could be said to be successful and positive news is also heard throughout the world.

"Because many have already knows the performance of Madam Risma from the city of Surabaya which used to be dirty, hot, but it has become clean, and green. Surabaya has also received many awards; it has become a mystery. So, Madam Risma is famous not only in Surabaya, in Indonesia, but also abroad," said Bernadia

Meanwhile, Mayor Risma admitted that she never expected to be elected as President of the UCLG. Because, previously, Mayor Risma claimed that she had never campaigned or asked to become the president. (KBRN/Benny/Trans by Rhm)