Day: December 13, 2021

Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan highlighted that the bubble health protocol implementation in Indonesia during the sherpa and finance tracks of the G20 Presidency drew applause from several countries.

“I received a report that our bubble health protocols in G20 were very well-liked by various countries,” Pandjaitan stated during an online press conference on Monday.

The bubble protocol is a limitation on the mobility and interaction of participants and event organizers to not leave the event location in an effort to minimize contact with outside parties.

The bubble protocol is currently often used during face-to-face events in various parts of the world to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Pandjaitan noted that ministries and agencies, including Bank Indonesia, as the committee on the G20 sherpa track and finance track, brought several Macro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the bubble area.

Several delegates from G20 countries shopped for Indonesian MSMEs products, such as coffee, batik cloth, and other unique products from regions in Indonesia.

“It is a good promotion for MSME, and it also proves that they value our bubble, and they appreciate it,” Pandjaitan stated.

Managing Director of the World Bank Mari Pangestu also praised the committee’s readiness in implementing strict health protocols during the event.

“I checked with Mari Pangestu, and she really lauds Indonesia’s steps in G20 as well as the revival of our MSME,” Pandjaitan noted.

As was earlier known, Indonesia, as the holder of the G20 Presidency, has started two tracks of discussion on G20 issues: the Finance Track and the Sherpa Track on December 6. Various online and face-to-face meetings are being held by implementing strict health protocols.

The G20 is a global forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union (EU) that covers 60 percent of the world’s population, accounts for 80 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 75 percent of world exports.

Indonesia holds the G20 Presidency from December 1, 2021, to November 30, 2022, taking up the leadership from Italy.

Source: Antara News

The Environment and Forestry Ministry will build a vast nursery to expedite the rehabilitation of forests and land in West Kalimantan, an official has said.

West Kalimantan already has two nurseries of a small capacity: one in Pontianak, with a production of 750 thousand stems per year, and another in Melawi district, which produces 250 thousand stems per year, acting director general of watershed management and forest rehabilitation at the Environment and Forestry Ministry, Dyah Murtiningsih, said in a written statement.

“This rate is still not sufficient for the expedition of forest and land rehabilitation in West Kalimantan. The purpose of the nursery development is to meet the need for seeds in terms of forest and land rehabilitation in West Kalimantan province,” Murtiningsih explained.

In a written statement issued on December 8, 2021, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya had said that a vast nursery will be built in West Kalimantan, she noted.

It would be able to produce 10 million seedlings per year for forest and land rehabilitation purposes in West Kalimantan, especially Kapuas Watershed, she added.

Nurbaya said the development of the nursery would be possible through public-private partnerships, with the private sector participating directly in environmental restoration efforts.

Murtiningsih emphasized that quality seeds from nurseries are an important component for rehabilitating forests and critical land in the watershed area to increase the carrying capacity of the watershed as a life support system.

“In some watershed areas, forest and land cover that is still good can reduce the rate of surface run-off, store water, and drain it during a dry season, and other ecological functions as a support for the ecosystem,” she added.

Source: Antara News

The ruling of temporary delay on debt payment obligation (PKPU) for Garuda Indonesia has paved the way for boosting performance recovery and becomes an important foundation for restructuring and restoring the company.

To this end, Garuda Indonesia has responded positively to the provisional PKPU ruling by the Commercial Court at the Central Jakarta District Court read on Thursday last week, Garuda Indonesia President Director Irfan Setiaputra noted in a written statement here on Monday.

The ruling offered a duration of 45 days to submit a peace proposal that contains a plan to restructure business obligations to creditors.

“The company will coordinate with a management team under a supervising judge and ensure all related matters proceed in accordance with the applicable law,” he explained.

Setiaputra affirmed that the process of delaying the debt payment did not mean bankruptcy. Instead, the PKPU has offered space for Garuda to negotiate with creditors through lawful means.

According to Setiaputra, the process accentuated Garuda Indonesia’s commitment to completing business obligations. It was also a step for Garuda to manifest its business foundation for the future.

“We will continue to guarantee the peace proposal that we submit is proportional. We prioritize the aspects of mutual interests among creditors, customers, partners, and stakeholders,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, aviation observer Gatot Rahardjo explained that the ruling was arguably the right momentum for Garuda Indonesia to continue to survive.

“This good measure should be accompanied with Garuda Indonesia’s competent internal team as well as accurate and updated information and data. Garuda’s recovery becomes more visible through this PKPU,” Rahardjo explained.

He affirmed that the state flag carrier should continue to conduct its flight operations, thereby lending assurance to the creditors that Garuda Indonesia still has a bright future.

“Garuda’s operational restructuration will influence the number of offered seats nationally. The government should be able to manage it, so as not to cause doubts among creditors,” he explained.

Garuda Indonesia is worth fighting for, given its historic value for Indonesia, so the choice of PKPU is logical, aviation observer Dudi Sudibyo stated.

He added, the flag carrier should not end up with a closure, recalling the struggle in building the company.

“Hence, it needs supports from the government and all stakeholders to keep and fight for Garuda Indonesia, as its potential is still huge. In addition, Garuda is Indonesia’s symbolic image to the world,” he explained.

Source: Antara News

The Ministry of Communication and Informatics, through the Telecommunication and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI), has inked a cooperation agreement with 35 districts to utilize lands for constructing Base Transceiver Stations (BTS).

Director of telecommunication and information services for the community and government (LTIMP) at BAKTI, Danny Januar, said the decision to sign the land-use agreement was in line with the Minister of Home Affairs Regulation (Permendagri) Number 19 of 2016 on the Management of Regional Property.

“The principle of the cooperation is the regional governments provide land and suspend Land and Building Tax (PBB) on the projects during the agreement (period), and the Ministry of Communication and Informatics through BAKTI provides cellular telecommunications services,” he informed during the signing of the land-use agreement at Shangri-La Hotel, here, Monday.

The total completion of land-use administration had reached 2,816, he informed. This, according to him, shows the extraordinary commitment of the district heads and their staff in supporting the successful construction of base transceiver stations.

Through the signing of the cooperation agreement, the ownership of the land will remain with the local government, he said. The area of land prepared by the local government for the construction is 400 square meters, he added.

Meanwhile, base transceiver stations will be located in the middle of villages in order to reach more people, and they are targeted to be spread over 7,904 points, Januar said.

As many as 4,200 BTS towers are targeted for completion by the end of 2021, while the remaining 3,704 are targeted to be finished in 2022, he added.

“We hope all district heads can fully support the completion both in terms of administration and the implementation of BTS construction,” he remarked.

Source: Antara News

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir has agreed to turn investor for an MSME (micro, small and medium enterprise or UMKM) entrepreneur living with disability from Cimahi city, West Java.

He announced his decision after Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia asked him to come up to the stage at an event held to issue business identification numbers to individual micro and small business players in Gelora Si Jalak Harupat, Bandung district, West Java, on Monday.

“So this business actor has disability, the investor also has disability. Now, do you need working capital? The SOEs Ministry, please come here,” Lahadalia said while talking to the entrepreneur, identified as Sintia.

Sintia, who makes snacks ranging from pempek, fried meatballs, to Korean specialties, was among the MSME players who had been invited on stage to meet the ministers at the event.

Sintia said that she has been running her business from her house for a year, adding that her monthly turnover is around Rp1 million.

After Thohir went on stage, Sintia was asked how much money she needed to develop her business. However, she seemed reluctant to answer.

“How much funding do you need? Just say it. Entrepreneurs must be brave,” Thohir encouraged.

“As for the amount, it is up to you, Sir. As much as Mr. Thohir is willing to give,” Sintia remarked.

After the exchange, Sintia said that she wanted the minister to become an investor in her business rather than just simply giving funds. He agreed to the request.

“Oh, you don’t need funds, (but you) want an investor (instead). That is amazing, I agree. Later on, please give me your telephone number. Bismillah,” the minister said.

The event was attended by hundreds of individual MSME players. Lahadalia said the identification numbers issued to them were necessary for allowing them faster access to banking capital.

He deemed the development of MSMEs very important for improving the country’s economy. Additionally, MSMEs also have the opportunity to open job opportunities, the minister added.

“We expedite information about business identification numbers by going directly to the field, starting today. However, education from the agencies and ministries has been done before,” the investment minister informed.

Source: Antara News