Day: March 15, 2023

Bandung, West Java (ANTARA) – State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Ministry has readied a quota of 65 thousand passengers for free mudik (exodus) transportation services in its “Free Exodus with SOEs” program to reduce traffic accidents during the 2023 Eid al-Fitr period.The program is implemented under the coordination of the state-owned insurance company Jasa Raharja. President Director of Jasa Raharja Rivan A. Purwantono stated here on Wednesday that the quota for this year’s program had been increased from the quota set in the previous edition in 2022, which stood at only 40 thousand. “We will prepare all, and more than 60 SOEs will collaborate,” he remarked. Purwantono expounded that the 65 thousand passengers comprised 46,523 bus passengers in 1,009 buses, 15,658 train passengers in 30 trains, and 2,562 passengers in seven ships. The increase in the quota is in line with the projection that people partaking in the exodus this year will reach 123 million, from 85 million recorded in 2022. To mitigate the risk of traffic accidents, he appealed to the community joining the exodus, especially those planning to use motorcycles, to make the most of the “Free Exodus with SOEs” program, so that they can partake in the exodus more safely and comfortably. ccording to Purwantono, motorcycles were found to be the vehicles that mostly met with accidents during the 2022 Eid al-Fitr exodus, reaching 77.4 percent. part from the free exodus program, in a bid to reduce the number of traffic accidents, Jasa Raharja is also pressing to reduce the number of trucks on public roads during the exodus period. ssistant Deputy for Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) at the SOEs Ministry Edi Eko Cahyono stated that registration for the SOEs Ministry’s free exodus program is open online starting from Wednesday, March 15, 2023. “The community can get the latest update of the information through the official website and various social media accounts of the Ministry of SOEs,” Cahyono stated. baca-jugaRelated news: Police chief asks Traffic Corps to prepare exodus strategy earlierRelated news: Aim to reduce motorcycle traffic with free exodus transport: govtRelated news: Ministry sets free exodus quota of 24,072 for bus passengers

Source: Antara News Agency

Jakarta (ANTARA) – An inter-agency delegation from the United States is currently in Bali, Indonesia, for the second round of negotiations on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) from March 1319, 2023.”The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework will help us grow our economies in a sustainable and inclusive way,” said Ambassador of the United States to IndonesiaSung Y. Kim, according to a press release issued by the US Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday. For the negotiating round, the US delegation is being led by Sarah Ellerman, IPEF Pillar I chief negotiator and assistant United States trade representative (USTR) for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (acting), and Sharon H. Yuan, Department of Commerce counselor and chief negotiator for Pillars II-IV. Negotiators from 14 countries are also participating in the current round, which is being hosted by Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. “We thank Indonesia for hosting hundreds of negotiators from throughout the Indo-Pacific this week to promote prosperity and development throughout the region,” Ambassador Kim remarked. In May 2022, the United States launched the IPEF with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The IPEF represents an affirmative vision of economic cooperation among allies and like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific region, reflecting a collective desire to address 21st-century challenges that go beyond trade and investment. In September 2022, IPEF partners issued ministerial statements, which outlined the scope of negotiations for the four IPEF pillars, which include trade, supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy. The first round of IPEF negotiations was held in December 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. special round of negotiations on Pillars IIIV was held earlier this month in New Delhi, India. baca-jugaRelated news: Will align efforts with ASEAN outlook in Indo-Pacific: CanadaRelated news: President encourages East Asia to improve Indo-Pacific peace basis

Source: Antara News Agency

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry instructed to have all development construction activities in the Nusantara State Capital (IKN) meet the sustainable construction requirements.The construction of IKN should also take into account the lean construction principle and use building information modelling (BIM), PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono noted in a welcome speech delivered by his official here on Wednesday. This is undertaken to improve the effectiveness of utilization of resources and reduce construction waste. The ministry has currently received a major undertaking to construct the IKN infrastructure. “The IKN that we are currently constructing promotes the concept of Smart Forest City that prioritizes the principle of unity with nature, application of smart technology, and encourages the use of renewable energy,” he explained. IKN is expected to not merely be a symbol of the advancement of Indonesian civilization but also become the most sustainable city in the world, he remarked. Earlier, the ministry had planned to implement green infrastructure development in the construction of Nusantara. This is undertaken in IKN with the design to promote the concept of smart, innovative, and inclusive city development by prioritizing global principle with local wisdom. To realize a smart metropolis, the IKN is also developed as a modern city to meet world-class infrastructure standards. The construction of IKN also utilizes smart technology to realize a livable city. IKN not only functions as a smart city but also a modern place that applies smart technology to create a livable, resilient, and sustainable city. The ministry maintains its commitment to conducting environment-based infrastructure development by prioritizing several principles. On a separate occasion, Green and Digital Transformation Deputy at the IKN Authority Mohammed Ali Berawi noted that the IKN Authority is ready to optimize the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) in the construction of Nusantara. baca-jugaRelated news: Ministry invites Japanese investors to take part in IKN developmentRelated news: IKN development demonstrates TOD concept: PUPR MinistryRelated news: Ministry applies risk management to prevent fraud in IKN development

Source: Antara News Agency

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Coordinating Minister for Economic AffairsAirlangga Hartartohas said that election spending by political parties can normally boost the gross domestic product (GDP) by 0.6 percent.”In every political year, there will be spending by political parties that increases the GDP,” he highlighted at the “Maybank Indonesia Economic Outlook 2023” event here on Wednesday. He said he will keep pushing political parties’ spending so that they can help bolster the domestic economy. ccording to him, political parties’ spending activities will last from September till the end of this year. The general elections have been scheduled for February 2024. iven the synergy forged for facing several agendas in 2023, a political year, it is expected that the elections will run safely and peacefully, the minister said. Earlier, a senior economist from the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef), Aviliani, said that the political year will stoke public consumption, which could contribute to national economic growth. “A political year tends to (support economic growth) through spending by political parties and candidates who run as House members,” the economist explained on March 2. During a public discussion themed “Economic Challenges in the Political Year,” Aviliani said the increase in consumption will begin to be felt in 2023 ahead of the 2024 elections once political parties and candidates conduct campaigns. The general elections are being held to elect the president and vice president, governors and deputy governors, district heads and their deputies, mayors and deputy mayors, and legislative members of the House of Representatives (DPR), regional/city/district legislative councils (DPRDs), and the Regional Representative Council (DPD). iliani said that the economy performed well in the last two election periods, recording a growth of 5.01 percent in 2014 and 5.02 percent in 2019. “Our society tends to be much more mature because elections are considered a common thing,” she added. baca-jugaRelated news: President Jokowi urges citizens to confirm registration on voter listRelated news: Steer clear of politicizing religion in 2024 elections: Ministry

Source: Antara News Agency

Manado, North Sulawesi (ANTARA) – Chief of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Vice Admiral Aan Kurnia, officially launched the “Yudhistira -1/23” joint patrol at the pier of Bitung city, North Sulawesi, on Wednesday.The joint patrol is being carried out for the second time following the passage of Government Regulation No.13 of 2022 on the implementation of security, safety, and law enforcement in Indonesian territorial waters and territories under Indonesian jurisdiction, he informed. In 2023, as a follow-up to the government regulation, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, issued Ministerial Decree No.1 of 2023 concerning the national patrol plan for 2023. “These two regulations mandate that marine enforcement officers carry out a joint and integrated patrol under Bakamla’s coordination and (that) is based on the applicable laws and regulations,” Kurnia said. The implementation of the joint patrol is aimed at improving security, safety, and law enforcement in Indonesian waters and territory, he added. “As well as realizing synergy for implementing an effective and efficient patrol by utilizing resources, while still prioritizing aspects of national security,” he said. baca-jugaRelated news: Bakamla invites Bappenas to monitor Indonesia’s seas Kurnia further said he expects the relevant and technical agencies to work hand in hand to make the joint patrol a success so as to have a deterrent effect on illegal activities at sea. The Bakamla chief urged all sea commanders, ship captains, and crews participating in the joint patrol to keep coordinating well with patrol controllers and assets. “Let’s equalize perceptions, mindsets, and actions in carrying out duties, and instill the idea that everything we do is for the sake of the nation and the state,” Kurnia said. Four personnel from Bakamla, three from the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), two from the Water Police, two Customs and Excise officers, two from the Marine and Fishery Resources Surveillance (PSDKP), and two from the Indonesian Sea and Coast Guard (KPLP) are participating in the joint patrol. baca-jugaRelated news: Navy holds Banda Yudha operation to secure Indonesia’s eastern waters Related news: Police HQ recommends routine patrol along Indonesia-Malaysia sea border

Source: Antara News Agency

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Investment Minister and Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head Bahlil Lahadalia has said that his party has completed 80 percent of unfinished investment projects worth Rp708 trillion (around US$45.7 billion) since his taking over as BPKM head in 2019.”Of the Rp708 trillion (around US$45.7 billion) in unfinished investments, we have completed more than 80 percent, including investments outside Java Island,” he informed at the “2023 Fortune Indonesia Summit” in Jakarta on Wednesday. The completion of unfinished investments was one of the directives the minister received from President Joko Widodo when he took over as BKPM head. He was also tasked with resolving overlapping investment regulations and ensuring equal investment distribution outside Java. One of the unfinished investment projects that the minister helped resolve involved the stalling of Lotte Chemical’s investment of around Rp60 trillion since 2016 over land ownership issues. “We formed a task force consisting of the police and the prosecutor’s office, and we were able to finish the stalled investment. The realization of the nearly US$4 billion investment has now reached 38 percent,” he informed. ccording to Lahadalia, the government is also pushing for investment realization outside Java Island and ensuring that investment in each region is undertaken in collaboration with local business actors as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). “Once we give the permits and investment to entrepreneurs, they are obliged to work with entrepreneurs and MSMEs in the region. If this is not mandatory, they will not share their income with local MSMEs,” he said. The minister said he is optimistic that the value of investment flowing into Indonesia would continue to grow because investors consider Indonesia’s economy as more stable compared to other countries due to supporting regulations and incentives, for example, the Job Creation Law, which accommodates business licenses and investments. “Under the Job Creation Law, licensing is being done through Online Single Submission (OSS), which is cheaper for business owners to invest,” he added. baca-jugaRelated news: Incentivize institutions purchasing most domestic products: JokowiRelated news: President Jokowi pushes extensive coal-to-DME downstreaming investmentRelated news: Ministry invites Japanese investors to take part in IKN development

Source: Antara News Agency

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called on government agencies to purchase 3.4 million domestic products that had been included in the electronic catalog (e-catalog) for the procurement of goods and services.”Do not let the products only remain in the e-catalog. We must show our support by buying the products. It will be such a waste if we do not buy it,” the president stated at the opening of the Domestic Products’ Business Matching in Istora Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday. The head of state urged ministries and agencies, regional governments at the provincial, district, and city levels, as well as state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) to allocate 95 percent of their budget ceiling to purchase domestic goods and services through the e-catalog. The president noted that 3.4 million types of domestic products were sold in the e-catalog. This figure increased rapidly from only 50 thousand products earlier. ccording to President Jokowi, spending on domestic products by all agencies will facilitate the development of domestic industries, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which will ultimately boost economic growth in the country. “We do not have to go far to look for investors. We can become our own investors in this country by purchasing goods and services in the e-catalog. Investors are good as a bonus, but if we buy our own domestic products, our economic growth will automatically increase, and we can use our own production goods,” he emphasized. Meanwhile, he stated that throughout 2022, the realization of the domestic product spending program by ministries and agencies, regional governments, and SOEs and BUMDes had reached Rp762.7 trillion. The president stated that Indonesia was more advanced in terms of policies to increase the use of domestic products as compared to the United States that had just started to prioritize buying its domestic products this year. baca-jugaRelated news: Incentivize institutions purchasing most domestic products: JokowiRelated news: Ministry hosts 2023 domestic products’ purchase business matching

Source: Antara News Agency

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia and Vietnam are ready to work together to enhance regional economic cooperation and bolster ASEAN Centrality, or ASEAN as a center of growth.The statement was conveyed by an ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEANBAC) delegation during its visit to Vietnam on March 1214, 2023. The delegation was led by chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Arsjad Rasjid. “As part of the roadshow mission to Vietnam, the ASEAN-BAC chairmanship aims to encourage Vietnam’s businesses and government to participate in the five priority and eight legacy projects,” Rasjid said here on Wednesday. The eight legacy projects include regional trade cooperation, sustainable development, digital transformation, food security, health security, and the newest ASEAN Business Entity, he informed. The ASEAN Business Entity is seeking to strengthen investment within ASEAN by providing incentives to companies operating in the region, thereby creating an integrated business ecosystem for ASEAN countries. During the roadshow, Rasjid and Kadin’s business delegation for ASEAN-BAC met with representatives from Vietnam’s Central Bank, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thu Duc City’s Chair of the People’s Committee, Ho Chi Minh City, Chair of Vietjet, Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation (SAMCO), and Chamber of Commerce. The discussion focused on ASEAN-BAC’s legacy collaborations, such as the ASEAN QR Code and Inclusive Closed Loop, as well as accelerating key sector development highlighted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, such as the development of infrastructure, renewable energy, high technology, and digital transformation. The roadshow also produced tangible results, namely through the holding of the Indonesia-Vietnam business and trade promotion forum for the ASEAN Business Investment Summit and ASEAN Business Awards. “This forum will serve as a platform to identify key sectors for cooperation between the two countries and promote green projects, in the hope of attracting more business interests and resulting in real partnerships,” Rasjid said. Indonesia and Vietnam, he added, have an important role to play in expanding ASEAN’s position as a key hub of the global economy, given that their combined gross domestic product (GDP) exceeds 60 percent of the region’s total GDP. Vietnam’s proactive participation in some ASEAN economic initiatives such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) highlights the country’s commitment to strengthening economic integration and cooperation in the region, he added. baca-jugaRelated news: Bakamla, Indonesian Ambassador discuss border dispute resolutionRelated news: Myanmar crisis: Vietnam praises Indonesia for initiating ASEAN meet

Source: Antara News Agency