VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen held bilateral talks at the Lotus Blanc Resort, Siem Reap, Cambodia, on Wednesday (16 January ), to discuss the development of cooperation between both nations. At the meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation, among others, Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister A. M. Fachir stated on Wednesday.

"We have a large surplus of around US$400 million in our trade with Cambodia. We hope the (trade) potential will still be large, and there will be new opportunities to develop economic cooperation," he remarked.

Data from the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh showed that Indonesia enjoyed a surplus of $401.6 million in its trade with Cambodia during the January-October 2018 period.

Indonesia`s exports to Cambodia comprised clove-blended cigarettes, coal, infantry fighting vehicles and spare parts, pharmaceuticals, electrical appliances, garments, rubber, and footwear. Indonesia is exploring the possibility of exporting gas to Cambodia.

Cambodia is a potential alternative market for Indonesia`s export commodities, as the real industrial sector has been unable to independently meet the public`s demand. During the meeting, Kalla also presented a painting of Hun Sen by Indonesian painter Firdaus Alambudi to the Cambodian prime minister.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan, Minister Fachir, Secretary of Vice President Mohamad Oemar, and former House Speaker Agung Laksono also attended the 30-minute meeting. (ant)

Indonesia`s imports in December 2018 fell 9.60 percent to US$15.28 billion from a month earlier, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). But compared to the same month of 2017, the December 2018 imports rose 1.16 percent, BPS Chief Suharyanto said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The imports comprised non-oil/non-gas imports worth US$13.31 billion and oil and gas imports worth US$1.97 billion. The non-oil/non-gas imports in December 2018 tumbled 5.14 percent compared to November 2018 but increased 6.16 percent compared to December 2017. The oil and gas imports in December 2018 dropped 31.45 percent compared to November 2018 and 23.33 per4cent compared to December 2017. Among non-oil/non-gas commodities, the import of organic chemicals recorded the largest decline of US$174.4 million, or 27.07 percent, while the import of fruits saw the largest increase of US$69.8 million, or 68.90 percent.

"(The increase) was the result of demand for fruits during Christmas and New Year holidays," he said.

Three countries were listed as the largest suppliers of imported non-oil/non-gas commodities to Indonesia last year. They were China with a value of US$45.24 billion, or 28.49 percent, Japan with a value of US$17.94 billion, or 11.30 percent and Thailand with a value of US$10.85 billion, or 6.83 percent. Non-oil/non-gas imports from ASEAN member states made up 19.85 percent and European Union represented 8.86 percent. (ant)

The Armenian Embassy in Jakarta, in collaboration with the Antara News Agency, launched a photo book entitled "Armenia: Land of Legend" at the Adhiyana Auditorium, Wisma Antara, on Tuesday (Jan 15) to introduce Armenia to the Indonesian people.

"Geographically, Armenia`s population is indeed small when compared to Indonesia. It also has almost no historical connections. But the real challenge is to explain the wealth of natural beauty and Armenian culture to the Indonesian community extensively," Director of Antara News Agency Meidyatama Suryodiningrat said in Jakarta, on Tuesday.

Suryodiningrat hoped that the photo book could be a source of enlightenment describing the wonders of Armenia, which would trigger the interest of the Indonesian people to better understand the potential of the two countries.

However, the real challenge for introducing the country, which is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran to the south, lies on how the information on the richness of Armenia`s natural beauty and culture can be introduced to the people at large in Indonesia.

With a total population of around three million and a size of Indonesia`s Central Java Province, Armenia, which is a landlocked country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, is still absent on the radar of average Indonesians who possess information on the world`s economic super powers.

The Ambassador of Armenia to Indonesia, Dziunik Aghajanian, also hoped that the photo book could become an entry for Indonesian people who did not know Armenia comprehensively.

"Despite the historic presence of Armenian community in Indonesia throughout several centuries, nowadays, for many Indonesians, Armenia is an unknown terrain. I hope this book will be an introduction for those whose inquisitive mind will draw them to this hidden jewel called Armenia, one of the ancient countries, and its people rich in history, culture, and traditions," the ambassador stated.

The book, the ambassador noted, would attract them to visit this small nation with a warm heart and open mind, renowned for its hospitality, very tasty gastronomic culture, and exceptional creative mind that is depicted in the innumerous monuments dotting the scenic beauty of the land.

"Armenia: Land of Legend" is called a photo book because around 70 percent of its content showcases selected photos, while the remaining presents articles about the richness of the Armenian history, culture, and scenic beauty.

In writing this photo book, Antara`s senior photojournalist Hermanus Priatna remarked that he and his colleague, Atman Ahdiat, have attempted to make a breakthrough. A photo book generally looks more like a catalog, whose content is fully filled with photos with less explanations about the images, making it lack in variety, or monotonous.

"Instead, this 105-page photo book is drafted journalistically and completed with articles describing the visual pictures of a variety of Armenian objects, including the country`s historical remains and interesting tourist sites and attractions," Priatna explained. (ant)

20 political parties have the right to participate on the 2019 General Elections. They are: 1. PKB, 2. Gerindra, 3. PDIP, 4. Golkar, 5. Nasdem, 6. Garuda, 7. Berkarya, 8. PKS, 9. Perindo , 10. PPP, 11. PSI, 12. PAN, 13. Hanura, 14. Demokrat, 15. - 18  Local Party Aceh, SIRA, PD Aceh, PN Aceh, 19. PBB, 20. PKPI . ( source: KPU )