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The performance of the cement industry is projected to be more attractive in 2019 compared to 2018. This is due to government efforts to continue to create a conducive business climate in the country.

"After the election, manufacturing industry activities are expected to return to normal," said Director of the Cement, Ceramics and Nonmetal Processing Industry, Directorate General of the Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Textile Industry (IKFT) Ministry of Industry Adie Rochmanto P. in Jakarta on Monday ( 6/10).

Adie is optimistic that the growth of the IKFT sector, which covers the cement industry, will reach 4.3 percent so far this year. The target surged from the achievement in the first quarter of 2019 of 3.6%. "In the long term, the cement industry will continue to grow significantly. This is in line with the incessant infrastructure projects and property development, "he said.

In fact, this year's cement industry utilization will be better than last year or above 75%. This utilization takes into account the growing domestic and export markets. "We hope that our economic recovery after this election will at least provide leverage for our current capacity utilization," he added.

To boost cement sales this year, one alternative for industry is exports. The Ministry of Industry targets, cement and clinker exports can reach 7 million tons in 2019, up 24% compared to 2018 as much as 5.64 million tons.

Previously, the Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto stressed that his party also continued to increase cement consumption in the domestic market through several ongoing project opportunities, especially those announced by the government. For example, development programs in the infrastructure, property and manufacturing sectors.

Another step, the Ministry of Industry directs the domestic grinding plant using clinker raw materials, which are expected to absorb from local production. This effort is to reduce imports of similar products.

Airlangga explained, these policies are a form of the government's commitment to maintain a conducive business climate so that the national cement industry can grow and develop. "We also encourage diversification of cement products as well as mandatory application of Indonesian National Standards (SNI) for cement," he added.

Currently the domestic cement market is oversupply. The production capacity of the cement industry is integrated in the country reaching 109.9 million tons per year, while consumption in 2018 is around 69.6 million tons.

"The domestic cement industry is in an over capacity condition. In the past, the growth of cement demand was indeed high, so investors were competing to make factories and investments, but in the course of their growth they were not as big as expected so that currently there was over capacity, "explained the Minister of Industry.

Besides that, which is also important, the Ministry of Industry requests that the domestic cement industry players continue to build an innovation ecosystem to enhance competitive advantage amid increasingly fierce competition both at regional and international levels. Such innovation can be an advantage for the company because it is more efficient, especially in overcoming the excess national cement production capacity.

"The cement industry is expected to be able to transform according to the latest technological developments in the industrial revolution era 4.0 which can be applied in stages," said Minister of Industry. This is to look for efficiency measures and optimize the production process in order to achieve maximum results.

According to Airlangga, the development of strategic industries such as cement factories needs to be maintained because they bring multiple effects to the regional and national economies, including the absorption of labor and small-scale cement-based industrial growth that can be developed. "The cement industry is an industry that can encourage the growth of local industries, especially for the cement goods industry," he said.

Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia Enggartiasto Lukita addresses three trade issues when meeting Minister of Trade, Tourism and Australian Investment Simon Birmingham on the sidelines of the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade and Digital Economy activities at
Tsukuba, Japan, Saturday (6/8). 

"Today we discuss three important issues, namely the development of Indonesian ratification − Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), and WTO reform, "said the Minister of Trade.

At the meeting, the Minister of Trade explained three issues discussed, namely development ratification of Indonesia − Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), and WTO reform. First, the two countries agreed on IA-CEPA entering the ratification process after signed. To meet the needs of the business community, Indonesia and Australia will accelerate the process so that it can be officially utilized by all parties.

"We agreed to accelerate the completion of the IA-CEPA ratification process so that cooperation Indonesia-Australia trade and investment can be immediately implemented, "continued the Minister of Trade. 

Secondly, Indonesia as the country coordinator requested Australia's support to be more flexible
in imposing trade rates on RCEP member countries that do not yet have an agreement trade with Australia.

"We ask Australia not to impose excessive trade rates on the state RCEP members who do not have a trade agreement with Australia, "said the Trade Minister.
The Minister of Trade also added that Indonesia encouraged all member countries to act realistic and willing to agree on steps to achieve settlement of negotiations substantial at the end of this year. 

Third, Indonesia supports WTO reforms. According to the Minister of Trade, there needs to be a difference clear between processes and substance in WTO reform. This was also conveyed to the APEC 2019 Minister of Trade meeting in Chile a few months ago. The current focus and reform priority of the WTO is on the selection of Appellate Body members. WTO reforms are expected to be able to effectively restore the WTO's functions
the multilateral trading system, as well as the credibility of the WTO in the eyes of the world.

Bilateral meeting with China

In addition to meeting with Australia, the Minister of Trade also held bilateral meetings with China's Deputy Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen. On this occasion, Indonesia requesting direct delivery of wallet bird products and Indonesian agricultural products to the market China which is still widely exported through Viet Nam. The Chinese Vice Minister of Trade welcomed both Indonesian requests and will coordinate with relevant parties for
follow up on this.

"China welcomed the demand for wallet nest products and agricultural products "Indonesia can directly enter the Chinese market without going through other countries," said the Trade Minister. (kemendag) 

South Sulawesi Governor Nurdin Abdullah stated after Eid 2019 that he and Deputy Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman had led the province for nine months so could evaluate the rate of development for expediting it optimally.

"Let us work professionally, so that our steps get the recognized result," South Sulawesi Governor Abdullah stated while leading the flag ceremony on the first day of work of the state civilian apparatus (ASN) after the 1440 Lebaran (Ied-al-Fitr) leave at the South Sulawesi governor's office in Makasar on Monday.

"However, if the community does not believe in us, we will lose trust. Do not have thorns in the flesh or spread noise in the community when the problem is internal, so we will evaluate it. The vice governor and I have no personal interest in leading South Sulawesi", he remarked.

Deputy Governor Sulaiman also echoed the same view.

"This momentum drives us all to remain passionate in developing South Sulawesi. I and the governor are and will continue to remain professional in our approach in leading South Sulawesi," Sudirman remarked during the interview session following the ceremony.

The ceremony was followed by halal bi halal, an occasion of mutual forgiveness and a time to seek reconciliation and to preserve or restore harmonious relations. Several hundred ASN in the scope of the governor's office, including echelon officials, had reportedly participated in.

"I, personally, and the vice-governor extend our greetings and apologies on Ied-al-Fitr,  apologize both physically and mentally. This holiday offers us a momentum to forgive one another again and to self-introspect over our follies and to reunite", Abdullah stated. (ant) 

North Sulawesi Province exported some 13 tons of nutmeg valued at US$62,400 to the United States (US) in early June 2019.

"In spite of the holidays, we must prioritize and focus on export activities to avoid disappointing any buyers," Head of Foreign Trade of North Sumatra's Industry and Trade Agency, Darwin Muksin, noted in Manado, North Sulawesi,  on Monday.

Muksin remarked that the exports of 13 tons of nutmeg to the US had contributed to the country's foreign exchange.

He pointed out that the province solely exported nutmeg of high quality.

"Nutmeg in demand among buyers from the US is the Siau variety that has proven to be of above-average quality than other types," he elaborated.

In addition to the US, North Sulawesi's nutmeg and mace products are highly sought after in the Netherlands and some other European Union nations owing to its distinct taste and varied uses, including for seasoning.

Hence, Muksin has encouraged local farmers to boost nutmeg production to capitalize on the opportunity to export the commodity to nations worldwide.

North Sulawesi's nutmeg is not only popular in Europe, the United States, and Asia but has also succeeded in attracting African markets.

"The rising demand for exporting nutmeg and mace to various countries in the world is a testament to the good quality of nutmeg products from the province," he pointed out.

Muksin added that North Sulawesi's nutmeg sold to European, American, and African markets are from the districts of Sitaro Islands, Sangihe, and Talaud.