VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The North and South Korean people are currently waiting for the outcome of their leaders’ meeting with President of the United States, Donald Trump to discuss the future of relations between the two countries on the Korean peninsula. After being separated for 65 years due to the civil war (1950-1953), it is likely that the people of both Koreas are longing for peace. President Donald Trump himself hopes that a high-level meeting between leaders of both Koreas and the United States will result in an agreement. He expressed his hope in Washington on Wednesday (April 18) after listening to his CIA Director, Mike Pompeo's report. Pompeo had specifically visited Pyongyang for 3 days until April 2nd, and met North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un.

Since few months ago, the idea of reconciliation process between South Korea and North Korea has seemed to face a dead lock. At that time, North Korea still conducted nuclear weapons test. It even launched ballistic missiles which were propagandized to be able to reach the American continent. Responding to Pyongyang's action, Donald Trump then threatened to attack North Korea. The psy-war between Washington and Pyongyang has finally subsided after signs of dialogue between North and South Korea emerged. The softening of North Korea's stance is marked by the acceptance of K-pop artist delegations visiting and performing in Pyongyang and getting the North Korean Leader's attention. Ahead of this summit, Kim Jong-un has met Chinese President, Xi Jinping during a state visit in Beijing, China.

Like the people of both Koreas, the international world also hopes that the summit of both Korean leaders with the United States can take place, and result in an agreement that will improve relations. For the people of both Koreas, the summit is certainly welcomed with great optimism. This will be the first to take place after the Korean peninsula was divided into North Korea and South Korea due to civil war. Whether the optimism and hope can be realized is still waiting for the results of the Korea-United States Summit. That hope is also very dependent on the attitude of North Korean leader, Kim Jon-un in particular in facing the demands of denuclearization. Besides, it also cannot be separated from how China as a major supporter of North Korea and the United States as supporter of South Korea have to address and view the future of the two countries on the Korean Peninsula, that were originally one.

Indonesia’s Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) on Monday, 16 April, disclosed  that the Indonesian Human Development Index (HDI) in 2017 reached 70.81 points or an increase of almost one percent compared to the previous year. When viewed from the trend side, there is increasing Human Development Index in Indonesia every year. By 2015, it was still below 70, in 2016 it increased to 70.18 and in  2017 to 70.81.

Head of BPS Suhariyanto said that Indonesia's Human Development Index (HDI) is currently included in the high category. However, there are still significant inequalities, such as  between Jakarta and Papua. The calculation of HDI is compiled using three dimensions, namely health as measured by life expectancy indicator. Then the knowledge or education,  measured by the expectations and the average length of schooling. The last  is  decent living dimension approached in accordance to  per capita expenditure.

Meanwhile, UNDP Country Program Director for Development - UNDP Indonesia, Christophe Bahuet (read: kristop baue) said the rise in Indonesia's HDI shows there has been a lot of progress. The next step towards high human development is the inclusion and reduction of gaps. Especially for remote provinces and between men and women.

For the Government, the BPS report on the rise in HDI is quite encouraging. Because it means that the policy of Nawacita (nine development program) has given a significant correlation. Even so, the Government's homework is still waiting, that is, accelerating the equality of development, especially in eastern Indonesia.

The Human Growth Index is closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015. Indonesia itself supports it,  with Presidential regulations on the implementation of Sustainable Development in July 2017, which is closely linked to Indonesia's Development. Not only physical but also non-physical oriented, which will end up  on the Human Development Index.

The Indonesian government has issued dollar-denominated bonds and euro-denominated bonds worth US$1 billion each. The issuance of the bonds in dual currencies is the second of its kind since 2017, the Directorate General of Financing and Risk Management at the Finance Ministry stated in a press statement released on Wednesday. The 10-year dollar-denominated bonds series RI0423 due on April 24, 2028, were issued at a coupon of 4.1 percent.

The issuance of the bonds series RI0428 has demonstrated the government`s strong commitment to improve the liquidity of dollar-denominated bonds that can be traded to US investors. The seven-year euro-denominated bonds series RIEUR0425 due on April 24, 2025, were issued at a coupon of 1.75 percent.

The bonds series RIEUR0425 have the lowest coupon among euro-denominated bonds that the government has ever issued. The bonds series RIEUR0425 are the fifth foreign currency-denominated bonds and the first euro-denominated bonds issued by the government using SEC-registered format.

The bonds in double currencies have received a Baa2 rating from Moody`s, a BBB rating from Standard & Poor`s, and a BBB rating from Fitch. The issuance of the bonds came as a response to a positive momentum after Moody`s upgraded Indonesia`s sovereign rating on April 13, 2018, and the macro-economic condition showed signs of improvement.

The bonds will be listed at Singapore Stock Exchange and Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Acting as joint lead managers and joint book runners are Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte, The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, and Mandiri Securities Pte Ltd., with PT. Bahana Sekuritas, PT. Danareksa Sekuritas, and PT. Trimegah Sekuritas Indonesia Tbk being the co-managers. ( antara )

Indonesia`s premium quality furniture products exhibited at INDEX Exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), have attracted the markets and have been sold out at the fair. The Head of Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) in Dubai, Heny Rusmiati, stated that ITPC facilitated Jatra Design Furniture to participate in the exhibition, which was attended by one thousand participants from 50 countries.

"All Jatra Design Studio products that were brought to INDEX Exhibition have been sold out, including large conference tables, sofas, and guest chairs, with some buyers even recording repeat orders," Rusmiati noted in a statement received by ANTARA here on Tuesday.

Jatra Design Studio has also got some offers from furniture businesses in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and UAE to become a distributor in the Middle East region.

"One of the companies interested in becoming an agent is Almas Design, which is the largest furniture company in the UAE and has several outlets across the UAE," he remarked.

At the exhibition, Jatra Design Studio also made follow-up contacts with its UAE counterpart, Neocasa Interiors. The business relation of both companies was established in 2017. Neocasa Interiors is a leading UAE company that supplies furniture for the royal family in the country. The company wants to conduct further exploration to become an investor in Jatra Design Studio factory in Indonesia, especially in producing chipboard that is used for premium quality furniture products. Until now, both parties are still studying the contract document on investment cooperation.

"Jatra Design Studio has requested ITPC Dubai to facilitate the process, and we are ready to help," Rusmiati revealed.

INDEX Exhibition is the largest exhibition for furniture, handicrafts, and interior design products in UAE. About 100 potential visitors visited the Indonesian booth during the exhibition. The visitors were from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Lebanon, Kuwait, Iran, Australia, Macedonia, and some African countries. INDEX Exhibition is one of the entrances to become a supplier in infrastructure development in UAE.

"Currently, the UAE is conducting massive infrastructure developments, especially hotels and apartments, in order to welcome the World Expo 2020 Dubai. Therefore, this is an opportunity for Indonesian business players to market their products and expand business," he explained.

The total value of non-oil and gas trade of Indonesia and UAE in 2017 amounted to US$2.1 billion. The value of Indonesian exports amounted to $1.5 billion and imports amounted to $509.6 million. Thus, Indonesia has experienced a non-oil/ gas trade surplus of $1 billion. Of Indonesia`s total non-oil and gas exports to the UAE in 2017, furniture products contributed only 0.57 percent. Indonesia`s export of furniture to the UAE was recorded at only $10 million in 2016, or 1.2 percent of the total UAE furniture product imports from around the world at $820.30 million. ( antara )