September 27, 2021 – Page 4 – Indonesia News Gazette

September 27, 2021

Kominfo announces 15 startups selected for SSI Batch 3 Program

The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) announced that 15 startups will be selected to participate in the third batch of the Startup Studio Indonesia (SSI) intensive incubation program.

At a virtual event on Monday, Director General of Informatics Application of the Ministry Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan congratulated all the 15 startups that had been chosen.

Pangerapan remarked that the 15 startups were chosen out of the 5,723 applicants of the SSI Batch 3 Program through a stringent selection process.

The 15 selected startups are AturKuliner, AyoBlajar, Bicarakan, Bolu, Eateroom, Finku, FishLog, Gajiku, Imajin, Keyta, Powerbrain, KreatifHub, Sgara, Soul Parking, and Zi Care.

The third batch of the Startup Studio Indonesia Program will be held from September to December 2021.

“By upholding the ‘more brainstorming, less classes’ concept, Startup Studio Indonesia prioritizes offering practical knowledge and insights through a coaching session, with more than 60 facilitators, who are active and renowned startup practitioners,” Pangerapan highlighted.

The training session will focus on the efforts to perfect business products and models as well as increase users’ loyalty before startups enter the phase of market expansion.

This was all done to prepare startups to face the market uncertainty, Pangerapan stated.

The chosen startups will follow the Founder’s Camp and 1-on-1 Coaching sessions related to product-market-fit for four months.

In the 1-on-1 Coaching stage, the chosen startups will have the opportunity to be directly mentored and trained by renowned startup practitioners, including Moses Lo (Xendit), Christopher Madiam (Sociolla), Fajar A. Budiprasetyo (Happyfresh), Suwandi Soh (Mekari), and Hiro Kiga (Wallex).

The SSI program will come to a close at the end of the year with Milestone Day, in which the startups will have a shot at laying out their future business model and achievements in front of the industry’s stakeholders.

“We are optimistic that through this program, the Ministry would be able to produce 150 digital startups by 2024 that can successfully develop their business scale in terms of users, revenue, workforce absorption, and funding from venture capital,” Pangerapan asserted.

Source: Antara News

September 27, 2021

Ministry expects SSI startups to help recover tourism

The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment has said that it is expecting startups chosen for the third batch of the Startup Studio Indonesia (SSI) program to help script a tourism sector recovery.

“Perhaps in the future, our startup friends from batch 3 can help the tourism industry, especially employees who are experiencing difficulty in surviving,” deputy for tourism and creative economy at the ministry, Odo R.M Manuhutu, at a virtual event on Monday.

Efforts to recover the tourism sector through startups have been made in a number of countries, he pointed out.

For instance, startup entrepreneurs have developed applications for facilitating tourists wanting to visit certain tourist spots, he informed.

Manuhutu expressed the hope that Indonesian startups would help improve the quality of domestic tourism through the skills, competency, and new technology that they possess.

During the virtual event, he also urged startup entrepreneurs to continue to create innovations that would have a direct impact on the people.

He cited the examples of the founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, who are now developing space tourism.

“With just 10 years’ worth of research, they have now successfully developed space tourism … this means that they see the opportunities to develop technology through research in order to create new markets,” Manuhutu remarked.

Earlier, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics had announced the names of 15 startups that have been chosen for the third batch of the SSI intensive incubation program.

The 15 startups selected for the third batch are AturKuliner, AyoBlajar, Bicarakan, Bolu, Eateroo, Finku, FishLog, Gajiku, Imajin, Keyta, Powerbrain, KreatifHub, Sgara, Soul Parking, and Zi.Care.

The Startup Studio Indonesia program aims to provide mentorship to digital startups that are currently trying to achieve a product-market fit so that they can develop quickly.

Source: Antara News

September 27, 2021

SOEs Scholarship program to include six #GirlsTakeover participants

State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir expects that the six millennial girls participating in the #GirlsTakeover program can be included in the State-Owned Enterprises scholarship program.

“I am optimistic that later on, the SOEs Ministry will include the six millennials selected in the #GirlsTakeover Program for enrollment in the scholarship program that we have,” Thohir stated at the #GirlsTakeover press conference in Jakarta on Monday.

He congratulated the six millennial girls, who had been selected from all over Indonesia.

“Also thank God, at a coordination meeting with the Plan International Indonesia Foundation, we believe this program is a success, as the response has been extraordinary, and this is also part of the transformation we seek. In the first year we did this, and we completed it well. We have committed, and we are optimistic that the Indonesian Human Capital Forum or SOEs FHCI would cooperate again for five years,” Thohir affirmed.

Thohir urged the Ministry to support and endorse the program, as it was not merely lip service, but a real program that ensured female leadership was realized.

In supporting gender equality in Indonesia, the Ministry and the enterprises’ leaders have supported equal leadership at work.

As a form of commitment and consistency in realizing this equality, the minister, along with the state-owned enterprises’ leaders, partook in the #GirlsTakeover global campaign organized with the Plan International Indonesia Foundation and Srikandi BUMN.

The campaign, held from August to October 2021, aims to support the youth to grow into leaders.

#GirlsTakeover is a global campaign initiated by Plan International, which is held simultaneously in 75 countries each year in commemoration of International Girls Day that falls on October 11. This year, the theme is gender equality and youth leadership in the working world.

In #GirlsTakeover 2021, the SOEs Minister and the president directors of state firms Angkasa Pura I, Bank Mandiri, Bank Rakyat Indonesia, Kimia Farma, and Telkomsel participated to have their titles taken over by six youngsters in the age bracket of 20-24 years.

They have been selected through a rigorous selection process and a series of tests on 7,023 applicants, from late August to mid-September 2021.

The six chosen girls are Adinda, 20, from Central Java; Arum, 23, from South Sulawesi; Putri, 21, from West Java; Sharon, 24, from West Java; Sicily, 22, from East Nusa Tenggara; and Virdha, 23, from Central Java.

They had participated in a series of online leadership classes titled “Girls Leadership Class,” which involved some inspirational leaders.

They will thereafter receive mentoring and shadow support from the SOEs minister and deputy minister for two days in Jakarta on September 27-28, 2021.The process of “taking over” the positions of the state-owned enterprises minister and other leaders will be conducted on September 30 and October 1, 2021.

Source: Antara News

September 27, 2021

2021 KKI Summit secures commitments of Rp207 billion: BI

Bank Indonesia (BI) secured business commitments of Rp207 billion at the 2021 Indonesian Creative Work Summit (KKI), which ended on September 26, 2021, a senior official has informed.

“The convening of the 2021 KKI Summit has given us confidence that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are able to encourage the revival of Indonesia’s economy,” BI senior deputy governor Destry Damayanti said in an official statement issued in Jakarta on Monday.

According to Damayanti, the main asset of MSMEs is creativity and product innovation as well as the spirit to stay strong and rise, and these became important factors in supporting the progress of Indonesian MSMEs as a source of the nation’s economic growth.

However, the end of 2021 KKI will not put an end to efforts to continue to innovate and provide support to encourage Indonesian MSMEs to progress and prepare to enter the export market in the digital era, she added.

The financing business meeting at the KKI Summit involved 34 MSMEs, seven banks, and two non-banking financial institutions for the business meeting, while the export business meeting involved 155 MSMEs, four aggregators, and 10 potential buyers from six countries, she informed. The 2021 KKI Summit, which was held virtually from September 23 to September 26, 2021, recorded more than 65 thousand visitors, she said.

In addition, the 2021 KKI Summit also recorded a sales turnover of Rp28 billion (as of September 25, 2021), an increase compared to the 2020 KKI, when it totaled Rp16.5 billion, she added.

“The 2021 KKI Summit has a novelty in celebrating MSMEs,” noted Damayanti.

In addition to the business meeting agreement celebration, there were also graduations and announcements of the best participants in the MSME onboarding program, winners of the podcast competition, and awards for innovative MSMEs, assisted by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, she said.

BI has provided a catalog and contact menu for MSME products manufactured with its assistance on the KKI website www.karyakreatifindonesia.co.id, she added.

The Indonesian Creative Work Summit (KKI) is part of an annual series of activities that prioritize synergy and collaboration with various parties through virtual exhibition platforms. This year, the summit featured 525 MSME products with the assistance of 46 BI regional offices as well as ministries or agencies as well local governments.

Source: Antara News

September 27, 2021

Papua PON offers right momentum to boost tourism sector: expert

Tourism expert at the Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) Chusmeru expressed belief that the XX Papua National Games (PON) provided the right momentum to boost tourism in the area.

“This is the right momentum to introduce the tourism sector in Papua,” Chusmeru noted here on Monday.

The tourism expert put forth five suggestions to boost Papua’s tourism through the PON event, with the first being suggesting to the PON committee along with the Government of Papua to provide a sports tourism package alongside the XX Papua PON to attract more tourists.

“Several activities can be conducted for tourism through this PON activity. However, related stakeholders must ensure security and comfort for all athletes and groups to visit tourist objects and attractions in Papua,” he remarked.

Secondly, on account of the fact that PON is still being held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to implement strict health protocols for all PON participants even at a tourist attraction. Likewise, tourism managers in Papua should also apply strict health protocols.

Under the third suggestion, the Papua government should prepare excellent human resources in the tourism sector to serve PON athletes, officials, and tourists with service standards in tourism.

“Fourth, the local government needs to revamp tourism destinations. Papua has natural tourism objects that attract tourists. They should maintain and revamp it while enhancing tourist attractions, such as cultural and culinary arts as well as handicrafts for tourists,” he remarked.

The fifth suggestion entails forging cooperation with travel agencies at the earliest to create a tour package that combines the elements of sports, nature, and Papuan culture, he noted.

Hence, every athlete competing in the XX Papua PON can continue to travel after the match is over, Chusmeru stated.

“If these five aspects can be prepared properly, then the XX Papua PON can deliver several achievements, such as recreational opportunities and bring economic benefits to the government and the locals,” he added.

Source: Antara News

September 27, 2021

Indonesia expedite recovery of tourism, creative economy sectors

A top official of the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Informatics pointed to two strategies to expedite recovery of the tourism and creative economy sectors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We support recovery of the tourism and creative economy sectors in two ways. The first approach is to prepare the internet network infrastructure. The second strategy is to support efforts to boost public communication,” the ministry’s Director General of Information and Public Communication Usman Kansong stated at a virtual coordination meeting on Monday.

According to Kansong, the first step is to improve the internet network infrastructure in the government’s administrative and residential areas, especially in the frontier, remote, and disadvantaged areas.

The ministry also called on cellular operators to complete the construction of BTS (base transceiver station) towers on a massive scale, so that existing signals can be distributed evenly, and its advantages can be felt by the people.

Preparation of internet infrastructure in those areas experiencing signal-related difficulties will enable tourism or creative economy players to access information more quickly from their devices.

Infrastructure readiness for 4G internet signals is also focused on tourist areas, so that they can support smart travelers and make the tourist area a smart destination in accordance with regulations in Indonesia, he stated

Lastly, not only in terms of infrastructure but also digital talents, especially from the creative economy business actors, were also honed during the training conducted by the Communication and Information Technology Ministry.

The second strategy, which is a major step in the economic recovery of the tourism and creative economy sectors implemented by the Communication and Information Technology Ministry, aims to prepare effective and interesting public communications.

“Our number one public communication strategy is to focus on people, who are still unsure about the readiness of health protocols at tourist attractions,” Kansong remarked.

There has been a significant decline in the number of COVID-19 cases, so the handling of the pandemic and the economic recovery plan, especially from the tourism sector, have become better.

However, there is a lack of trust among some sections of the population regarding the government’s handling and plans, for which positive and sustainable public communication is deemed necessary, so that the tourism sector can yet again draw the public’s attention.

Disseminating news related to programs, government policies, and tourism readiness in Indonesia based on Clean, Health, Safety and Environment (CHSE) and health protocols to the media is one way for Kominfo to gain the public’s trust.

The ministry continues to edify the public to follow health protocols while vacationing or working in the creative field, so that the handling of the pandemic and economic recovery can concomitantly run well.

Steps were also taken to get rid of misinformation and hoaxes related to pandemic handling in the tourism and creative economy sectors in order to boost public trust.

Source: Antara News

September 27, 2021

Enggano Island open for tourism investment: Bengkulu Governor

Governor of Bengkulu Rohidin Mersyah introduced a new tourism investment opportunity at one of Bengkulu’s outermost islands, Enggano Island, that faces the Indian Ocean.

“Enggano Island has huge tourism potential, and we are currently campaigning to encourage tourism investment in the island,” Governor Mersyah stated while receiving Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) Head M. Arsjad Rasjid in Bengkulu, Monday.

Enggano Island has vast potential, including natural richness, marine beauty, and local culture of the native Enggano people that could attract tourists to the island, he pointed out.

The governor noted that the ease to apply for an investment permit will encourage investors to come and invest in Enggano Island.

“We currently have the integrated online single submission (OSS) system to ease permit application and cut red tape,” he stated.

The provincial government is currently developing the island’s airport at Banjar Sari Village to boost connectivity between the island and mainland Sumatra and to ferry potential tourists from and to the island, Mersyah noted.

Enggano Island is currently served by two passenger boats operated by state-owned passenger ferry operator PT ASDP and state-owned cargo and passenger shipping company PT Pelni, with each trip connecting the island from Sumatra taking approximately 10-12 hours, he remarked.

KADIN head Rasjid remains committed to supporting the Bengkulu government to attract investment to the island, particularly for tourism development in Enggano Island.

“The tourism sector will always keep developing, and the Bengkulu government’s campaign to attract domestic or international investment to Enggano Island would surely attract investors to develop the tourism business there,” Rasjid noted.

The 32 thousand-hectare Enggano Island, under the North Bengkulu District’s jurisdiction, is located around 156 kilometers from the province’s capital. Five ethnic groups native to the Enggano Island living in harmony with one another are Kaitora, Kaharubi, Kauno, Kahuau, and Kaharuba tribes, each with their distinct cultural aspects.

Source: Antara News

September 27, 2021

Papua PON: Ministry, local govt prepare facilities for media persons

The Communication and Informatics Ministry and the Mimika district government are coordinating the provision of work and refreshment facilities for reporters covering XX Papua National Sports Week (PON), an official has said.

“The equipment provided at the (Mimika) media center is quite complete to accommodate the needs of the journalists. The facility is managed by the Ministry’s Communications and Informatics Office in Mimika district, as well as the public relations protocol bureau of the Mimika district Secretariat,” deputy coordinator of the XX Papua PON media center for Mimika district, Indri Aprilia, told Antara here on Monday.

Meanwhile, project manager of the media center, Yuri Maulana, informed that the facility has workstations for 35-40 people and is equipped with 10 computers with an Internet connection speed of up to 300 megabytes per second (Mbps) and a color printer.

The workspace also features three large liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens that will show the latest information on match results, standings, as well as live broadcasts from the match arena, he said.

Moreover, the media center also has a press conference room, which can accommodate 20-30 people, and an interview corner, he added.

Meanwhile, regarding refreshments, the committee has prepared six free massage chairs as well as free beverages for all reporters, Maulana said.

“There are four meal times. The first one will be a coffee break at 10 a.m. Eastern Indonesia Standard Time (WIT) followed by lunch at 12 p.m. WIT. The second coffee break will take place at 3 p.m. WIT, while dinner will be at 6 p.m. WIT,” the project manager said.

In addition, since XX Papua PON is being held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the facility will apply strict health protocols, he added. A health room also has been prepared in case any visitors fall sick, he disclosed.

The media center will remain open from 9 a.m. WIT to 9 p.m. WIT every day during the XX Papua PON.

The XX Papua PON Mimika district cluster will host 12 sports comprising gliding, futsal, rock climbing, 5X5 basketball, skydiving, judo, billiards, aeromodelling, athletics, handball, 3X3 basketball, as well as tarung derajat—a Sundanese martial art.

Source: Antara News