Month: December 2022

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Bali airport ready for G20 Summit: Angkasa Pura

PT Angkasa Pura I (AP I), the operator of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, said the airport is ready to support the G20 Summit in Bali, which is scheduled to be held in October 2022.

“I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, as Bali’s main air gateway for all delegates, is ready to support the 2022 G20 Summit,” president director of Angkasa Pura I, Faik Fahmi, said in a statement received here on Friday.

He said AP I has prepared special routes at the international and domestic terminals for delegates arriving and departing from the airport.

AP I has also prepared VIP building facilities for VIP I delegates, namely President Joko Widodo, heads of state, and heads of the governments of countries participating in the summit, as well as for VIP II delegates, comprising ministerial-level state officials from participating countries.

“In the VIP building, we have prepared a health mechanism, and immigration and customs checks. We have also allocated a parking stand for a special parking lot for state aircraft that will be boarded by the VIP delegation,” Fahmi informed.

Besides the entry point for the VIP building, AP I has prepared three other entry points at the international, domestic, and General Aviation terminals, he said.

To support the smooth flow of arriving delegations, a special personal helper will also be provided to them, he added.

Considering that the world is currently dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, AP I will continue to implement strict health protocols while handling the arrivals and departures of the G20 delegates, Fahmi said.

Delegates arriving at the international terminal will cross a special thermal scanner that will detect their body temperature, he informed.

They will also undergo a number of health examinations, which will be carried out by the Port Health Office (KKP). The KKP will scrutinize their health documents to check if they meet the flight requirements, the results of RT-PCR tests, as well as conduct further health checks, if needed, Fahmi said.

“Delegates who are declared healthy will enter the immigration, baggage claim, customs, and holding areas before heading to the pick-up area,” he informed.

Meanwhile, delegates arriving at the domestic terminal will also undergo a health check and a thermal scan, he said. Their health documents will be checked by the KKP, he added.

“AP I, together with the relevant stakeholders, is trying to ensure the delegation’s health check system to be easier, including the digitization of integrated health documents,” Fahmi said.

AP I, especially I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, has had a lot of experience supporting world-class events, including the APEC Summit in 2013 and the IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting in 2018, he noted.

“We are committed to making a good impression on the delegates, as well as providing superior service that reflects Indonesian hospitality, in accordance with the company’s vision,” he remarked.

Earlier, on December 28, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir had reviewed the readiness of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport ahead of the G20 Summit.

During his visit, Thohir had highlighted the importance of services at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport for supporting the 2022 G20 Summit.

“Certainly delegates will have high expectation on services in Indonesia, which are well known throughout the world,” he remarked.

Source: Antara News

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PIDI 4.0: A one-stop solution for digital technology adoption

With 196.7 million Internet users, Indonesia is currently accelerating the digital transformation process, especially in the economic field.

In the current digital era, the Internet has triggered the Fourth Industrial Revolution, marked by the development of the digital economy globally, among others.

“Digitalization is a means to push for the transformation to a new economy with added value and better competitiveness,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, once said.

Digital technology has opened up the possibility of greater collaboration among economic stakeholders for expediting trade, creating jobs, and improving access to public services, he noted.

“This momentum must be used to push the digital transformation process,” he stressed.

The value of the digital economy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has crossed US$100 billion, he noted. It is predicted to grow threefold by 2025 to more than US$300 billion, the minister said.

The largest contributor to the ASEAN digital economy has been e-commerce, followed by transportation and food delivery, online media, and travel, he said. Healthtech and edutech have also grown into promising sectors, he added.

Indonesia’s digital economy is currently valued at US$44 billion, making it the largest in ASEAN, he pointed out. This figure is predicted to grow eightfold by 2030, according to Hartarto, who is also the chairman of the Golkar Party.

Most of the value of the digital economy has been contributed by e-commerce transactions, which are estimated to increase to US$32 billion by 2025, reflecting a growth of 54 percent, the minister said.

“The development of the digital economy in Indonesia can also be seen from the total investment in digital platforms, which is around 38.7 percent, the largest number in Southeast Asia. Strategic sectors that are the new strengths of the digital economy include agritech, fintech, edutech, and healthtech,” he added.

Furthermore, Indonesia is striving toward Industry 4.0 as part of its digital transformation, which is focused on human resource strengthening, investment climate, and green development, the minister informed.

Indonesia is also preparing to realize its vision of Golden Indonesia through Industry 4.0 by 2045, which will mark a century of its independence.

The country’s digital economy and Industry 4.0 development is currently the fastest in Southeast Asia, said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), according to a report on the website of the Cabinet Secretary.

“Indonesia’s digital economy and Industry 4.0 are the fastest in Southeast Asia. We have approximately 2,193 startups, the fifth largest in the world. We also have five unicorns and one decacorn,” the President said in his opening remarks at the online inauguration of the 2021 Hannover Messe. He joined the event from the State Palace, Jakarta on April 12, 2021.

Indonesia’s Industry 4.0 is forecast to contribute up to US$133 billion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, Widodo noted.

To expedite the materialization of the digital industry, the Industry Ministry, on December 2, 2021, launched the Center for Indonesia Digital Industry 4.0 (PIDI 4.0) as a one-stop solution for the adoption of Industry 4.0 in Indonesia and a window on Indonesia 4.0 for the world.

The PIDI 4.0 was developed at the initiative of Minister Hartarto, according to Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita.

“I am optimistic that PIDI 4.0 partners would help accelerate the transformation of Industry 4.0 in Indonesia,” the Industry Minister said.

PIDI 4.0 has five functions, with the first being conceptual design for showcase, he informed.

“PIDI 4.0 is a showcase to demonstrate how technology can create efficiency and increase productivity in the production line. This showcase is specifically directed at the food and beverage and automotive industries from the tier 1 industry in Indonesia,” Kartasasmita explained.

The second function is capability building, wherein PIDI 4.0 will become a means to bolster the competence of top-level management, managers, engineers, and workers from the industry, he said.

Capability building involves a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience for increasing learning retention and tracks, he elaborated. It covers specific topics according to the industry’s pain points, he added.

Third, PIDI 4.0 will build and offer access to an exclusive network of the Industry 4.0 ecosystem as well as pioneer collaborations for the ecosystem that involve domestic and foreign institutions, including industrial users, technology providers, service providers, accelerators, educational institutions, and research and development institutes, he added.

Its fourth function will be that of a delivery center, he said. PIDI 4.0 will provide assistance to companies in the transformation process through field and forum services as well as a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) portal for companies, Kartasasmita explained.

Fifth, PIDI 4.0 will serve as an engineering and artificial intelligence (AI) center, where it will organize two main related activities: research brokerage and testbed, he added.

Kartasasmita said that in order to accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0, the ministry has also developed PIDI 4.0 satellites for polytechnic schools, vocational schools, and industrial areas.

“These satellites serve as a medium for accelerating the development of human resources that are capable of becoming agents of the Industry 4.0 transformation,” he added.

So far, 20 companies have joined as partners in the PIDI 4.0 ecosystem, he informed.

Source: Antara News

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Saint Lucia updates its Citizenship by Investment regulations to remain competitive in the investment migration industry

Castries, Dec. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Saint Lucia has amended the regulations of its Citizenship by Investment Programme to remain increasingly competitive and ensure that the Caribbean country fulfils its mandate of growing demand for its investment products for the ultimate benefit of the people of Saint Lucia.

As one of the youngest Citizenship by Investment products in the market, Saint Lucia has made bold strides in offering an alternative investment option in the Caribbean’s most developed and diverse economies.

The country’s Citizenship by Investment Unit has taken a comprehensive review of its Citizenship by Investment offerings following approvals from the Citizenship by Investment Board and Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, Ernest Hilaire. The below amendments to the existing regulations will take effect from 1 January 2023.

  • Developers applying for approved real estate under the Citizenship by Investment Programme or enterprise projects will now have to pay due diligence and background check fee of US$7,500.
  • The replacement fee for a lost or damaged certificate will increase from US$100 to US$500.
  • Investors who have been a citizen of Saint Lucia for 12 months or less that are looking to include a newborn dependent through the country’s National Economic Fund will now have to pay a fee of US$5000, this has increased from US$500.
  • There is also an introduction of a new Bond Offer for investors purchasing non-interest-bearing Government Bonds with the following qualifying investment sums:
Category of applicant Bond purchase sum Bond holding period
Applicant and all qualifying dependents of any number US$300,000 5-year holding bond
Administrative fee (regardless of the number of dependants) US$50,000
  • To qualify for second citizenship through the real estate option, investors will have to invest a minimum of US$200,000, a reduction from US$300,000.

Saint Lucia is emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies in the Caribbean region and the nation is well-known for offering various investment and business opportunities for people looking for options to plan their wealth and diversify their portfolios.

The country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme is a perfect choice as it offers ideal business opportunities to investors who do not want to be bound by border limitations.

The Caribbean country is recognized for providing a second home not just to investors but to their families too. The nation has been lauded for its advanced and modernized infrastructure. Saint Lucia has one of the most resilient, modernized education and healthcare systems in the region, which makes it ideal for investors and their families.

The Citizenship by Investment Programme of this Caribbean country attracts Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the nation which is used for advancing various projects such as the development of infrastructure, advancement of real estate, business expansion and job innovation.

The CBI Index 2022, published by PWM Magazine of Financial Times, reported that CBI is assuring the small island nation of Saint Lucia has become independent, developed and prosperous in the true sense. The report also recognized the programme for its “Ease of Processing” and “Due Diligence” Pillars. This year, Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme climbed a spot and gained the third position.

Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Unit makes sure that citizenship is given to credible applicants of good standing while their dependants over the age of sixteen are also subject to multi-layered due diligence checks, in order to qualify for alternative citizenship. Saint Lucia asks for detailed information from the applicants to understand the funding source of the investors who want citizenship.

On this due diligence aspect, Minister Ernest Hilaire recently addressed concerns and fears related to Saint Lucia’s CBI Programme. He gave assurance that the government of Saint Lucia and its CBI Unit perform a strict and rigid due diligence process. Hilaire explained that the due diligence process is a multi-layered procedure noting, “Due diligence is performed by our Unit on all applicants, this is then followed by another due diligence check by the banks. This is then followed by due diligence checks by international intelligence units who also do on-the-ground assessments.”

He also noted that the Government and Unit have been planning to review the country’s CBI programme, making it more attractive as well as competitive. Minister Hilaire announced that these updates would maintain the country’s rigorous but seamless vetting process.

While the programme is the newest in the region, launched in 2016, the Government has made sure to set the bar very high – the programme has been regarded as one of the most advanced, secure as well as transparent programmes.

Through the National Economic Fund, this prestigious programme has helped the nation to develop important public infrastructure. The funds from the programme have been directly contributing to advancing the standard of living of Saint Lucians.

Alternative citizenship in the Caribbean nation is emerging as a platform to alleviate and tackle the risk of uncertainty and unpredictability in future. There is no other better plan than investing in building a new home at a place which offers ample opportunities and, most importantly, peace out of the hustle and bustle of big cities.

PR Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
+1 758 458 6050
mildred.thabane@csglobalpartners.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8721602

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Principion and LDA Capital signed a Put Option Agreement for up to 10 million Azerion shares

Amsterdam, 30 December 2022 – Today, Azerion has announced that its largest shareholder, Principion Holding BV, has signed a put option agreement with LDA Capital Limited for the sale of up to 10 million ordinary shares in Azerion, with the primary purpose of supporting liquidity of Azerion’s shares and directing part of the proceeds to fund growth in Azerion.

Azerion CEO, Atilla Aytekin, commented: “I am pleased to welcome another institutional investor into Azerion’s shareholder base. On the back of our Strategy Deep Dive in November 2022, we continued engaging with the market and have seen a growing interest from investors in our investment case. For 2023, we envisage to grow our exposure to institutional investors and the liquidity of our stock.”

The put option agreement grants Principion Holding BV the option to sell Azerion ordinary shares to LDA Capital Limited in tranches that can, in aggregate, add up to 10 million shares or €50 million over 3 years. The volume and price of each tranche will be the result of a formula that takes into account Azerion shares trading volumes and price. Principion Holding BV is one of the investment vehicles of Azerion’s founders and holds over 48 million ordinary shares in Azerion.

Contact:
Investor Relations
ir@azerion.com

Media
press@azerion.com

DISCLAIMER

This communication contains information that qualifies as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

The companies in which Azerion Group N.V. directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “Azerion”, “Azerion Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Azerion Group N.V. and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Azerion Group N.V. and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them.

This press release is for information purposes only. The information contained in this press release does not purport to be full or complete and, in particular, is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision. No reliance may be placed by any person for any purpose on the information contained in this press release or its accuracy, fairness or completeness. Azerion will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided.

This press release may include forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Words and expressions such as believes, estimates, plans, projects, anticipates, expects, intends, may, will, should or other similar words or expressions are typically used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and that may cause the actual results of Azerion to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements reflect Azerion’s current views and assumptions based on information currently available to Azerion’s management. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Azerion does not assume any obligation to update such statements, except as required by law. No assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements will be realised. No representation or warrant is made that any of these forward-looking statements will come to pass or that any estimated result will be achieved. Accordingly, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements.

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000774757

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Jakartans asked to wear masks while celebrating New Year

Acting governor of Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono has advised the capital city’s residents to continue wearing masks in crowded locations when celebrating New Year’s Eve.

“Keep wearing a mask and others (implementing health protocols),” he added here on Friday.

He said he expects that there will be no surge in cases after people celebrate New Year’s Eve as the government has lifted the public activity restrictions (PPKM).

One of the indicators of the low cases is the high coverage of vaccination in Jakarta that has hopefully increased immunity and prevented a severe impact from a COVID-19 infection.

“Almost all residents of Greater Jakarta have been vaccinated, including the booster shot,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta provincial government will hold New Year’s Eve celebrations at a number of points so that the crowd does not get concentrated in one place.

The celebrations will be held in six administrative regions of Jakarta: at Thamrin 10 and along MH Thamrin-Sudirman Boulevards in Central Jakarta; in the courtyards of the North Jakarta and West Jakarta mayors’ offices; at Setu Babakan Betawi Cultural Village in South Jakarta; the Old Shanghai tourist attraction in East Jakarta; and Untung Jawa Island in Seribu Islands district.

In addition, the provincial New Year’s eve celebration center is located at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) Park, East Jakarta

Although positive COVID-19 cases are under control, the virus has continued to mutate.

As of Thursday (December 29, 2022), at least 15 cases of Omicron BF.7 have been reported in Indonesia, out of which 5 were detected in Jakarta, the Ministry of Health reported.

The Jakarta Health Office has conducted close-contact tracing of the 5 BF.7 cases.

The office found that the Omicron BF.7 patients had no history of travel abroad or outside the city.

All 5 patients had mild symptoms, such as fever, cough, runny nose, and sore throat, and some experienced anosmia or loss of sense of smell, while some complained of stomach ache, nausea, and vomiting.

 

Source: Antara News

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Chemical industry sees supply chain recovery: ministry

The chemical industry experienced a recovery in the supply chain, both domestic and global, in December 2022, acting director general of pharmaceutical, chemical, and textile (IKTF) industries, at the Industry Ministry, Ignasius Warsito, has said.

“Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), there has been an expansion to drive the Industry Index (IKI) value through the chemical and chemical goods industry,” he added at the “2022 December IKI” press conference here on Friday.

Moreover, there has been additional demand for chemical products, which, in the end, has contributed positively to the IKI value, he said.

This expansion is noteworthy given that the chemical industry sector, whether upstream, downstream, pharmacy, or non-metal mining material, experienced a contraction in November.

In addition, the ministry recorded that the pharmacy and chemical drug sub-sector experienced a contraction due to acute kidney failure cases in children, which led to the withdrawal of several pharmaceutical industry products.

This led to stagnation in production for the domestic market.

“From 124 liquid drug industry companies, only 22 companies still remain,” Warsito informed.

Amid improving conditions, there has been a production improvement in December, both in terms of demand and supply, he highlighted.

He said he expects the IKTF sector to encourage optimism toward domestic business conditions.

During the event, Industry Ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arif informed that a majority of businesspersons are taking an optimistic view of business conditions for the next six months compared to November.

This has been reflected in one of the indicators of the Industry Trust Index (IKI) on the view of business conditions in the next 6 months or the January–June 2023 period.

“A majority or 60.5 percent of businessmen declared their optimism toward industrial business conditions for the next 6 months. This figure rose from the previous month with 58.1 percent,” he noted.

 

Source: Antara News

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Community immunity at 98.5%: President

President Joko Widodo has said that community immunity against COVID-19 in Indonesia reached 98.5 percent in July 2022.

“The lifting of community activity restrictions is also based on the high immunity of the population from a serosurvey. If you see the figures in December 2021, it was 87.8 percent, in July 2022 it was 98.5 percent, meaning that our immunity as a community is at a very high rate,” the President pointed out at the State Palace here on Friday.

Earlier the same day, President Widodo announced that the government has officially decided to lift community activity restrictions, which were stipulated in the Instructions of the Home Affairs Minister Numbers 50 and 51 of 2022. The revocation was effective from December 30, 2022.

The immunity figure was based on a serosurvey, a study conducted to gauge the total population in Indonesia that has developed antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

“And the rate of vaccinations is at 448,525,478 doses. This is also not a small figure,” said the President.

According to the head of state, Indonesia is one of four G20 countries that have not experienced a surge in infections for 10–11 consecutive months.

“We remember when Delta (variant) peaked, we were at 56 thousand (cases) in July 2021; and in February 2022, again we experience the peak of the trend because the Omicron (variant) is at 64 thousand daily cases,” Widodo said.

However, the number of positive cases is coming under control. As of December 29, there were only 685 cases, while the death rate stood at 2.39 percent, the Bed Occupancy Ratio (BOR) at 4.79 percent, and daily ICU occupancy at hospitals at 2.97 percent.

“I have conveyed the figure that our immunity from the serosurvey was at 98 percent in July. That figure is what we use as a guideline that our community immunity is very good so there is no need like other countries we have to carry out another PCR at the airport,” said the President.

This means that the decision to lift the restriction was based on scientific studies, which involved inputs from epidemiologists’ on communal immunity. The policy was not something decided out of nowhere, he said.

“Everything has gone through studies, and taking into account developments from month to month, and this is our form of cautious measure, that is not to rush on lifting (the restrictions) at that time even though there was no surge in cases,” he added.

However, even though the restrictions have been lifted, he stressed that the pandemic status is still in effect.

Widodo said the COVID-19 pandemic status is not set on a country-to-country basis—since it is a global problem, the World Health Organization is the one who determines the status of a public health emergency of international concern.

 

Source: Antara News

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COVID-19 testing no longer mandatory: Minister Sadikin

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin on Friday announced that COVID-19 antigen or PCR tests are no longer mandatory following the revocation of the public activity restrictions (PPKM) policy.

The government is expecting residents to opt for COVID-19 testing, if needed, at their own initiative, he added.

“Is the PCR or antigen testing abolished? I believe the more proper answer would be, it will no longer be mandatory for the government. We hope residents will have the awareness (to take the tests, if needed),” Sadikin said after accompanying President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as he announced the withdrawal of the PPKM policy at the Merdeka Palace here on Friday.

Residents can undertake the COVID-19 antigen or PCR tests if they need to determine whether they have been infected or not in the same way as they use a thermometer to check whether they have a fever or not, the minister explained.

“Gradually, we will increase public participation to take PCR or antigen tests (on their own initiative) as it will be similar if they need to check body temperature with a thermometer. They can take the antigen or PCR tests when they feel unwell,” he said.

The President on Friday announced an end to the PPKM policy, which was enforced to control COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia.

“Considering our (COVID-19) numbers, today, the government has decided to revoke the PPKM policy as regulated in the Home Affairs Ministry’s Regulations No. 50 and 51 of 2022,” Widodo said.

The revocation of the PPKM policy means that there will be no more restrictions on public activities and mobility, he affirmed.

However, the President advised all people to remain careful and vigilant against COVID-19 transmission risks.

 

Source: Antara News

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