VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, in cooperation with related ministries and partners, organized a small island development initiative program (SIDI), including for Natuna, to explore Indonesia`s potential as a global geopark.

The program, which began in 2016, has become a reference for the cooperation of the Association of States in the Indian Ocean Circle and South China Sea workshop. It was revealed at the press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Multilateral Policy and Development Center noted in a statement in Kuta, Bali, on Thursday.

This year’s small island development initiative (SIDI-Natuna) bears the theme "Natural and Cultural Wealth in Natuna as Maritime Diplomacy Asset," with two focus agenda activities exploring Natuna`s potential as a global geopark.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has engaged a team of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, supported by experts from the University of Padjadjaran of Bandung, West Java Province, to conduct a preliminary assessment of Natuna`s potential as a geopark of the nation and to make Natuna part of the "Global Geopark Network of UNESCO" in future.

Indonesia has successfully championed several national geoparks, such as Lake Batur, Mount Sewu, Mount Rinjani, and Ciletuh, to be part of the "Global Geopark Network of UNESCO."

Currently, Indonesia is also striving for the inclusion of the geopark of Lake Toba in the world'`s geopark network.

Several sites in Natuna, including granite stones over 100 million years old, and other marine sites could become maritime geoparks. The benefits of a site being included in the UNESCO`s geopark network are the preservation of the site and the increasing number of tourist visits to it.

In addition, the cultural and historical aspects of Natuna should also be explored and preserved on an ongoing basis, for instance, poetry of the Riau Islands region, which is in the process of being proposed to be one of the world cultural heritages through the UNESCO.

By conducting cultural and historic studies, academics need to explore the role of Natuna in the history of the "Rempah Nusantara" Line. Thus, the world does not merely have the knowledge of the history of the Chinese Silk Road.

The world needs to become aware of a maritime trade route known as Kayu Manis Path and Rempah routes built by the great empires of Indonesia where Natuna is one of the international ports in the golden age of the archipelago.

Efforts to make Natuna as a maritime geopark are also supported by the Provincial Government of Riau Islands and Natuna District keen on conducting exploration activities in Natuna and its waters as an integral part of Indonesian history.

According to Syamsu Bahrun, assistant for economic development of the Riau Islands Province, Natuna can follow the Hawaii model.

Hawaii is a US naval base in the Pacific Region. However, at the same time, the US Federal Government and local authorities in Hawaii have succeeded in expanding Hawaii into a global tourism hub and even a fast-growing economic center.

"This is a good example, where defense and socio-economic development of the community go together and mutually reinforce the area. Natuna can follow this pattern of development," he stated. (ANTARA)

The widening trade balance and current account deficits until the middle of the second quarter did not indicate that the Indonesian economy was overheating, according to Bank Indonesia (BI).

High imports in May were aimed at addressing the long-term economic development needs, BI Deputy Senior Governor Mirza Adityaswara stated in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Adityaswara remarked that the trade deficit of US$1.52 billion in May 2018 can add to the current account deficit projected at above 2.5 percent, but it will not exceed three percent of the national gross domestic product in the second quarter of 2018.

Indonesia recorded a trade deficit of $2.38 billion during the period from January to May 2018.

Imports during the January-May 2019 period include imports for addressing the long-term economic needs. The imports for infrastructure development were valued at $4 billion; defense, at $1.1 billion; and rice, $400 million.

"Actually, trade balance during the January-May 2018 period suffered a deficit. However, if imports for long-term infrastructure development are excluded, the trade balance will record a surplus," he noted.

Given the assumption, despite a rise in the trade balance and current account deficit, the Indonesian economy is not overheating.

In addition, other indicators, including bank loans that only rose 10.2 percent year-on-year and 2.9-3 percent year-to-date as of May 2018, suggested that the Indonesian economy is in the process of recovery. (ANTARA)

The Japanese Government in Medan, North Sumatra, will host the Japan Day at the Caritas Foundation, a Center for Treatment and Drug Addiction Recovery in Lubuk Pakam, Medan, North Sumatera. The Foundation receives Japan’s grant aid worth one billion forty-one million rupiah through Grassroots program of 2016 financial year for the construction of a drug addiction treatment and recovery center. The Japan Day is a friendship commemorative event between Indonesia and Japan, one of which is established through the Grant Aid Grassroots granted by the Government of Japan to the selected Foundation in Indonesia. Vice Consul of Japan in Medan Masamu Yamamori said, during the commemoration, the Japanese government through its local staff will review the allocation of budget and socialize assistance programs from the Government of Japan to the community.

"Firstly is to follow up the funds given to the foundation to be used properly. Secondly is to introduce our office activities in the area," said Yamamori.

The Japan Day will also be held together with families of patients. The Japanese government hopes the gathering with the family can provide much information on the importance of family support in the healing process of drug addiction. (DS/Trans/Ndy) 

The government of East Nusa Tenggara will hold the 2018 Tour de Flores event this coming November.

The event has been included in the permanent annual event calendar and was supposed to be held in May, but it is being postponed until September as the government needed to gather their resources, Head of Tourism Promotion from the East Nusa Tenggara Tourism Office, Eden Klakik, told Antara in Kupang on Wednesday.

"It was supposed to be held in May; however, we only had Rp2 billion allocated, while we needed Rp5 billion. Therefore, the organizers decided to not hold the event," he noted.

He further stated that the local government has decided to allocate another Rp3.5 billion to the event in the 2018 Regional Budget revision, which has led the organizers to agree to hold the event in September.

In terms of preparation, the office is currently getting ready for the Sandalwood Horse Parade in Sumba island, which will take place from July 7 to 14, and they will be gearing up to prepare for the event as soon after the parade finishes.

Last year, East Nusa Governor Frans Lebu Raya expressed hope that the international cycling event will be beneficial for the public, particularly the residents of Flores Island.

"We hope the public are more ready, so they could enjoy financial benefits too," he remarked.

He urged the local community to demonstrate hospitality to the tours participants.

"Friendliness and comfort are the main keys for everyone to make them return to the province," Lebu Raya asserted.

East Nusa Tenggara, known as a province of one thousand islands, plans to organize the two international cycling events on the islands of Flores and Timor annually to promote tourism in the region and at the international level.

The province offers a wide array of natural scenery, culture, ethnicity, handicrafts, ancient sites, and unique traditions that could be showcased to foreign tourists, he revealed. (ANTARA)