VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Karisma Nusantara Event flyer - 

Voinews, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno said that the implementation of Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) has a significant positive impact on the sustainability of the regional and national economy. This was pointed out by Minister Sandiaga Uno at a special interview with RRI Voice of Indonesia, in Jakarta, Monday (22/ 1/). 

According to him, the implementation of KEN 2023 contributed to increasing the production of goods and services reaching 212 billion rupiah, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which reached 200 billion Rupiah with a turnover value of 12.4 trillion Rupiah.

"The implementation of KEN in 2023  contributed to the value of Indonesia's production and services output of 212 billion rupiah and GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of almost 200 billion rupiah in which  the value of money turnover with 7.4 million visitors reached 12.4 trillion rupiah.", Minister Uno said. 

Moreover, Minister Sandiaga Uno further explained that the positive impact of holding KEN 2023  was also able to increase the turnover of 11,399 business actors involved in the event.  Based on the results of the face to face interview, Minister Sandiaga Uno stated that KEN 2023 succeeded in increasing turnover by 76.7 percent business actors up to more than 10 million rupiah.  

When compared to normal days, the additional turnover increases by 50 to 100 percent//VOI

The Indonesian youth and Japan Embassy staf in Indonesia pose after the ceremony -  

Voinews, Jakarta - Nine Indonesian youths from several Islamic organizations and institutions were invited by the Japanese government to participate in the JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) Gelombang Peace Building program. 

They come from the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, Istiqlal Mosque and Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University.  According to Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, Katsuro Nagai on Monday (22/1), the participants would have the opportunity to visit several interesting places related to Islamic culture and historical places in Japan.

"They have chance to visit one of the mosque and also Islamic culture center in Tokyo and also as I said that the highlight of their stay is homestay in Nagasaki", Katsuro Nagai said. 

Moreover, the participants are planned to take part in this program until January 30, 2024. Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths is an annual Japanese government program which aims to introduce Japanese society, culture and technological progress in all aspects.  

Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia also hopes that by participating at this program, the participants can also play an active role as a bridge in strengthening friendship between Japan and Indonesia//VOI

Book discussion during the launch - 

VOInews, Jakarta - Indonesian Diaspora Network (IDN) Global held a book review of Diaspora Bangga Berbangsa by Fenty Effendy, Saturday, in Jakarta. The book tells the story of the achievements of the Indonesian diaspora over the past decade and a number of issues of concern to the diaspora abroad.

One of the officers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Ganewati Wuryandari, said that the Indonesian Diaspora had made various real efforts to contribute to building the nation. According to him, many Indonesian diaspora have contributed their energy, thoughts and even assets for the progress of the nation.

"This book also tells about the various efforts of IDN Global and its members in carrying out real activities, to participate and contribute their energy, thoughts and even assets for the progress of the nation. So I'm very proud. It's interesting, starting from the smart village program, until now "It has been said that there are more than seven thousand users of smart applications for village development," said Ganewati at the event which was held in a hybrid manner.

He also encouraged further publications regarding the efforts of the Indonesian diaspora in supporting national development. According to him, this effort can also be carried out by utilizing advances in technology and social media//VOI

The skyline with its banking district is photographed in Frankfurt, Germany, January 7, 2020. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo - 

BERLIN : Germany's IT and telecommunication (ITC) sector is expected to speed up its growth this year and clearly outperform Germany's ailing economy, a study by German digital association Bitkom showed on Wednesday.

According to the study, the sector's revenues are expected to rise by 4.4 per cent to 224.3 billion euros ($245.09 billion), compared to a 2.0 per cent increase last year.

"Even under difficult economic conditions, characterised by geopolitical crises and budget cuts, sales and employment (within the sector) are increasing," said Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst.

The industry's predicted growth for this year is, however, slow in comparison to other countries, including India, seen up 7.9 per cent, the U.S. expected to increase 6.3 per cent and China, estimated to grow 5.7 per cent.

"In order for Germany to catch up in terms of digitalization, companies and administrations need to ramp up their investments more decisively," Wintergerst said, urging the government to put digitalization and economic growth at the centre of its policies.

According to estimates of the International Monetary Fund, Germany's economy as a whole is expected to grow only 0.9 per cent in 2024, which remains well below the average of 1.4 per cent for advanced economies//CNA-VOI