VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Ministry of Industry is seeking to increase the export of Muslim apparels by 10 percent this year.

"Indonesia must boost the export of Muslim fashion products to become the highest in the world, in order to be able to become a world Muslim fashion center," Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto noted in a statement in Jakarta, on Thursday ( April 19 ). 

Global Islamic Economy predicts that the world Muslim fashion market will grow to US$327 billion by 2020.

"In view of that, we will continue to encourage Muslim fashion industrialists and designers in Indonesia to continue making innovations by increasing their productivity and strengthening their brands to be able to penetrate the export market," he noted.

The minister remarked that he was optimistic that the Muslim fashion industry in the country will continue to grow to contribute significantly to the fashion sector and the national economy. At present, the Muslim fashion industry is projected to be able to absorb 1.1 million of the total 3.8 million fashion industry workers in the country.

The industry ministry has facilitated 12 Muslim fashion brands from various regions to participate in the the Muslim Fashion Festival (Muffest) 2018.

"I think the event has contributed quite much to the growth and development of the national Muslim fashion industry, especially in producing new, creative, and innovative designers and entrepreneurs, "he revealed.

Export of Muslim fashion products reached US$13.29 billion in 2017, up 8.7 percent from the previous period.

"As one of the countries with the biggest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia has a big opportunity to become the world`s Muslim fashion center by 2020," he added.

Indonesia, at present, is the fifth biggest exporter of Muslim fashion products among members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation after Bangladesh, Turkey, Morocco, and Pakistan. (antara)

 Indonesia and South Korea have opened a new round of bilateral ties, after President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and President Moon Jae-in agreed to elevate the partnership between the two countries into a special strategic partnership in November 2017. South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia, Kim Chang-beom, told Antara News Agency, in Jakarta on Thursday ( April 19 ), that the two countries have been natural partners since the start of the diplomatic relations in 1973.

"We have never been involved in issues or conflicts but just ideas of collaboration and collaboration," he stated.

Moon`s visit to Indonesia last year was considered as a prelude to a further jump in a more intensive and substantive strategic partnership. South Korea, he continued, has been working intensively with Indonesia, especially in industry, culture, and research and development.

Now, he believed that Korean businessmen show more interest in infrastructure development, consumer goods trade, lifestyle products, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, logistics, as well as cosmetics and beauty products.

"I think we are increasingly opening a new chapter in bilateral relations between Indonesia and South Korea," he noted.

South Korea and Indonesia agreed to strengthen cooperation in four specific areas, including the defense industry, increase in trade value, community exchange between both countries, and cooperation at regional and global level, during a meeting between Moon and Jokowi last year. Moon sees the cooperation between the two countries as being well at the moment, especially in areas of human rights protection, democracy, and economic growth.

"For future cooperation, we agree to enhance bilateral relations to specific strategic partnerships, in order to contribute to the ASEAN framework, as well as promote peace and prosperity throughout Asia," he pointed out.  ( antara )

 Indonesia`s external debt growth slowed at the end of February 2018 amounted US$356.2 billion consisting of government and central bank external debt of US$181.4 billion, as well as private external debt of USD174.8 billion. Indonesia`s external debt at the end of February 2018 grew at 9.5 percent (yoy), lower than previous month?s growth of 10,4 percent (yoy), influenced by slower public and private sector external debt growth, based on a statement from BI`s Communication Department in Jakarta, on Thursday ( April 19 ).

The development of the government`s external debt is in line with fiscal policy to accelerate economic growth through increased productive activities and investment. Government external debt at the end of February 2018 was recorded at US$177.9 billion consisting of US$121.5 billion of government securities/SBNs (SUN and SBSN/Sukuk) owned by nonresidents and US$56.3 billion of foreign loans. Government's external debt at the end of February 2017 was lower than that in the previous month, mainly due to the decrease in government securities owned by nonresident amounted to USD 3.0 billion.

Meanwhile, the cost of government`s external debt is getting lower along with the increasing investor confidence in Indonesia, supported by improving economic fundamentals and Indonesia`s credit rating. Government external debt is prioritized for productive activities and investment in order to support economic growth, as well as to support the ability to pay the external debt. Private's external debt growth slowed primarily due to the external debt in financial sector.

The year-on-year external debt growth of the financial sector at the end of February 2018 was 5.1 percent, slower than previous month?s growth of 6.7 percent. Meanwhile, the external debt in manufacturing, electricity, gas, and water supply, and mining sectors increased than previous month?s growth. The private sector external debt in the financial, manufacturing, electricity, gas & water supply, and mining sectors reached 72,2 percent, relatively unchanged from the previous period. The development of external debt in February 2018 remains manageable with healthy structure. The ratio of Indonesia?s external debt to gross domestic product (GDP) is stable at around 34 percent at the end of February 2018. ( antara ) 

The ratio is better than the average ratio of peer countries. Based on original maturity, the Indonesia?s external debt structure at the end of February 2018 remained dominated by long-term debt, accounted for 85.5 percent of total external debt.

Bank Indonesia in close coordination with the Government continues to monitor the development of external debt to optimize the external debt?s role in supporting development financing without incurring the risks that may affect macroeconomic stability.

At least 60 people should lose their souls due to ignorance of the dangers of drinking methanol. This case occurs in some areas. Without having to wait for victims of new casualties fall, without having to wait for the results of further research, you should immediately stop the production of the drink. The loss of life of so many people should make us realize that the circulation of drinks made haphazardly like this endangers many people. Legally, alcoholic drinks can be circulated on a limited basis. This is possible because of the guests of foreign countries who come to Indonesia. But the unofficial circulating is booze.

The question is, why is this fake mixed alcohol and liquor still easily obtained in the middle of society?  Still need to revise or reinforce the existing rules? Or maybe even prohibit its citizens from consuming alcoholic beverages, as some countries do. One of the mechanisms of suppressing illegal production is by monitoring the upstream sector. Not everyone can buy methanol which is the source of alcohol in the production of oplosan, in quantities that allow for production.

Also required is a strong commitment from the Government and law enforcement officers to supervise and control the circulation of alcohol, especially alcohol oplosan. Commitment to complete eradication has been affirmed by the Police of the Republic of Indonesia. Deputy Chief of Police of the Republic of Indonesia, Commissioner General Safrudin, said that before May, oplosan liquor should no longer exist. The hope is certainly not limited to a statement.

Strict action, continuous supervision of the government and the authorities becomes one of the keys to the success of suppressing alcoholic circulation of bootleg liquors. The legal process must also produce legal decisions that really make deterrent actors, especially the peraciknya. No less important is the Commitment of the whole community. Religious leaders, community leaders, educators, parents determine how we, especially young gerasi this to be a generation away from alcoholic beverages, far from alcohol oplosan. For whatever reason, in terms of any presence of liquor let alone alcohol will have more negative impact.