VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government is looking into the possibility of cooperation with the United States and Japan in developing liquefied natural gas (LNG) business to support their respective energy security, an official said.

"There are many possible kinds of cooperation discussed at the forum of three countries this time, including the development of technology and the export and import of LNG," Chief of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKK Migas) Dwi Soetjipto stated during the opening of trilateral meeting between Indonesia, the United States, and Japan on Tuesday.

Soetjipto further noted that the market for Indonesia`s LNG is still widely open and that investors will have a lot of business opportunities if they invest in Indonesia.

Director General of Oil and Gas of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Djoko Siswanto stated at the Indonesia-US-Japan LNG workshop that Indonesia has natural gas reserves of 135.55 trillion standard cubic feet (TSCF).

"Indonesia still has the potential, and so we need to cooperate with other parties to manage the potential and invite investors," Siswanto remarked.

Of the total gas reserves, 99.06 TSCF are proven reserves, 21.26 TSCF are potential reserves, and 18.23 TSCF are probable reserves, he said.

Meanwhile, representative of the US Embassy in Indonesia Heather Variava explained at the workshop that the US has huge LNG reserves and is capable of developing LNG production technology.

"We have experiences in processing LNG and developing technology that I think is quite reliable. In the future, such thing may become mutually beneficial cooperation with Indonesia," he added.

Representative of the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia, Keiichi Ono, revealed that Japan is a longstanding buyer of Indonesia`s LNG.

He noted that both Japan and Indonesia need to step up cooperation in LNG trade in view of declining global LNG supplies.

Looking ahead, the three countries hope to realize the LNG business cooperation more intensively by integrating their capability in fulfilling energy needs. (ant)

Indonesian Foreign Minister  Madame Retno Marsudi arrived in Amman, Jordan, and convey warm welcome while officially opening the "International Training of Trainers on Business Planning for Women in Refugee Camps: Women Empowerment to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals" in Amman, Jordan (5/3). This Training was organized from 5-7 March 2019. 

Women hold an important role in the development of the Palestinian people. The empowerment of women will not only economically profitable but also will strengthen the socio-economic infrastructure

The training (ToT) was attended by about 30 women of Jordan and Palestine that also plays an active role in the handling of Palestinian refugee women Indonesia also submit help drugs drugs and desalination projects in Gaza.

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi inaugurated One-step Public Service Buildings in Abu Dhabi (the United Arab Emirates) and in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) to improve services for Indonesians overseas.

"The one-step public services, or integrated public services, have become a need nowadays, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Integrated services have been made easy by technological progress at present," Marsudi was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the ministry, here, on Tuesday.

Marsudi inaugurated the buildings in Abu Dhabi and in Jeddah on March 2 and 4, 2019, respectively.  The integrated public service buildings are the first in Indonesia`s representatives in the Middle East.

"To facilitate public services, which are easy, fast, and convenient in the Foreign Affairs Ministry and in Indonesia`s Representative Offices, is a dream that we continue to strive for. Hence, we have made public services as a main point to measure the performances of Indonesia`s Representative Offices. Alhamdulillah (Thank God), Indonesian Representative Offices overseas have started to apply a one-step public service concept gradually since 2018.

Since 2015, the Foreign Ministry has begun to develop integrated service system in every Indonesian representative offices overseas. The system was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in October 2018 in Indonesia`s embassy in Seoul, South Korea. Other Indonesian representative offices that have applied the one-step public service concept include those in Tawau (Malaysia), and in Indonesia`s Consulate in Chicago, the United States of America. (ant)

 The Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) will also cover the investment and service sectors, such as health and education, in addition to the trade sector, Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated.

"The two countries will build partnership that combines service and partnership in sectors attractive for Indonesia, such as the health and education sector, as well as training," Kalla noted at the signing of IA-CEPA in JS Luwansa Hotel here on Monday.

In the service sector, the two countries will explore cooperation in the sectors of mining, energy, iron and steel, finance, vocational and higher education, tourism, health, and agribusiness.

Kalla said investment in the vocational and higher education sector has become one focus of cooperation to improve the quality of human resources.

"The next major agenda for Indonesia is to improve the quality of human resources to make us more competitive. I am waiting for investment in university and training and vocational education in Indonesia," he elaborated.

The vice president has expressed hope that the agreement would enhance bilateral ties and open wider business opportunities for people in both countries.

"IA-CEPA is a different agreement from those we have with other countries. IA-CEPA is based on strategic aims to grow together as neighboring countries," he remarked.

IA-CEPA was signed by Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita and Australian Trade, Tourism, and Investment Minister Simon Birmingham.

Lukita said the agreement will strengthen economic cooperation between Indonesia and Australia, including in trade, investment, and vocational training.

"It is a precious moment, as after nine years of negotiations, finally the Indonesia-Australia CEPA can be signed," he remarked.

The partnership was first launched in 2010, but it was stalled in 2013 and reactivated in March 2016.

The agreement will eliminate 100 percent of tariff on goods from Indonesia to Australia, and 94 percent of tariff on goods from Australia to Indonesia.

In investment and services, both countries will have greater access, including in the training program.(ant)