Day: May 6, 2023

The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has halted PT BSI’s shipyard reclamation project in Batam, Riau Islands, due to alleged violation of marine space.Director general of maritime and fisheries resources supervision, Rear Admiral Adin Nurawaluddin, noted in a written statement received in Batam on Saturday that the project is halted until the company can meet the required permit to use marine space. “Indeed, we have temporarily stopped the project, so the activity does not end up (compromising) the seas. That company still does not have the Marine Space Usage permit,” he pointed out. PT BSI is a company that manages domestic investments, specifically of steel smelters and shipyards. Based on Marine Intelligence investigation by the special police unit for coastal areas and islands, the reclamation project is not backed up with the Marine Space Usage permit. The ministry received some complaints from people about PT BSI, which has no such permit to pursue the project, he revealed. Following those complaints, his administration then sent the special police unit to collect evidence in February 2023, Nurawaluddin noted. In the company’s statement, it intends to expand the shipyard in the site where the reclamation project takes place. baca-jugaRelated news: Batam seeks to revive shipyard industry ccording to the land allocation issued by the Batam Concession Agency, the total area of land granted for the company’s project is 62 hectares, comprising 13 hectares for their right to build and 49 hectares of marine space. llegedly, PT BSI has violated some articles in Government Regulation Number 21 of 2021 on spatial planning: article 101, number (3), article 188, article 195, and article 195; in conjunction with Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry’s Regulation Number 31 of 2021 on administrative sanctions in the maritime affairs and fisheries sector. For those violations, the government can impose administrative sanctions, such as temporary closure of business activities. Nurawaluddin pushed PT BSI to immediately complete the required process for the permit, which they can obtain from Online Single Submission after listing their source of materials for the reclamation project, plan for use of reclamation land, general overview of the project, as well as its schedule. Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Wahyu Sakti Trenggono had stated that in Government Regulation Number 5 of 2021 on risk-based business licensing, the government has categorized business risks according to the sectors. In the regulation, reclamation is listed as a high-risk business activity. Hence, the minister consistently urges the directorate general of maritime and fisheries resources supervision to ensure that the marine space usage adheres to the applicable regulation so as to avoid threat to sustainability of the environment. baca-jugaRelated news: Indonesian Shipyard Company Launches Two War Ships Related news: Indonesian shipyard company develops floating power plant

Source: Antara News Agency

Indonesia, the ASEAN chair for 2023, will host the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai district, East Nusa Tenggara, next week on May 911.With the theme of “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” Indonesia is determined to direct ASEAN cooperation this year towards continued strengthening of the bloc’s relevance in response to regional and global challenges. The determination also encapsulates the national will to strengthen ASEAN’s position as the center for regional economic growth to benefit the bloc. To ensure the summit’s success, the authorities have ramped up preparations for welcoming summit delegates and participants in all aspects, particularly, security, accommodation, and media support. However, Minister of Communication and Informatics Johnny G. Platestressed that residents’ support, particularly those living in East Nusa Tenggara, will remain vital for the summit’s success. “The success of the summit hinges on the participation of our residents, either East Nusa Tenggara residents or those in other regions, and the success also hinges on the transmission of information performed by the media,” Plate said on Tuesday (May 2). Security Hosting an international event attended by heads of state and government requires Indonesia to optimize its plan to ensure security against potential threats that could derail the summit. To secure the summit, National Police Chief;nbspeneral Listyo Sigit Prabowosaid a command center has been set up to monitor and supervise all activities related to the summit. While inspecting the command center on Thursday (May 4), he informed that the communication devices of all officers would be connected to the command center, and they will also report to the center. The command center is expected to also monitor disaster potential so that mitigation measures can be taken promptly, he added. The National Police has also readied eight security task forces that will participate in the joint military-police Operation Komodo to secure the summit. The teams took part in a tactical floor game (TFG) on Thursday to ensure their readiness for the summit. Prabowo said the drill was held to discuss potential issues that could arise at the summit and provide examples to the personnel on ways to resolve them. Moreover, Assistant of Operations to the Indonesian Police ChiefInspector General Agung Setya Imam Effendiexpressed the hope that the delegates will have confidence in the security preparations and that the success of the G20 Summit in November in Bali could be repeated at Labuan Bajo. He pointed out that global leaders were so confident with the security at the G20 Summit that some of them mingled with the public on the sidelines of the event. French President Emmanuel Macron decided to walk for two kilometers after attending a gala dinner at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, Badung, on November 15, 2022, while Canadian and British Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau and Rishi Sunak met and conversed at a public cafe in the same district the following day, Effendi pointed out. Accommodation The 42nd ASEAN Summit will take place at Meruorah Hotel, Ayana Resort Hotel, and Bintang Flores Hotel, which have been designated as the summit’s main venues, Minister Plate said. He informed that delegations and VVIP guests will start arriving in Labuan Bajo on May 10, while on May 11, leaders of ASEAN countries will start the summit and participate in the retreat session. Meanwhile, Secretary of the Ministry’s Directorate General of Information and Public CommunicationsSumiatisaid that Ayana Resort Hotel would be the venue for the welcoming dinner and retreat session of state leaders of ASEAN countries during the summit. The hotel officer in charge of the welcoming dinner, Hadi, informed that the hotel has planned the events meticulously, including the guest movement arrangement, where the heads of state and government would follow different paths than other participants while at the hotel. In addition, Meruorah Hotel will promote local products by providing them in the delegates’ rooms “We have exclusively prepared the designated rooms for the delegates by serving local products, including exclusive locally-produced amenities,” Chief Director of State-Owned Hotel Operator PT Hotel Indonesia Natour (HIN)Christine Hutabaratsaid in the statement released on Thursday. ccording to Minister of Tourism and Creative EconomySandiaga Unoat least 1,500 rooms are still available at 38 Labuan Bajo hotels, ranging from three- to five-star hotels, for participants of the ASEAN Summit. The local authorities have also prepared a shipping vessel belonging to state-run ferry operator PT Pelni, an Indonesian Navy vessel, and a pinisi ship a traditional Indonesian sailing vessel from South Sulawesi to provide additional accommodation during the event. Media center ccording to Plate, the digital infrastructure and public communication network for the ASEAN Summit would be adequate to support the delegates and other participants, particularly the media. “We have almost finished the preparation. It is also supported by adequate digital telecommunication technology and infrastructure, such as optical fiber, 4G network, or experience using 4G network,” he said after visiting the media center for the summit, according to a press release issued on Tuesday. He informed that his ministry had prepared public communication service facilities of the same standards for the G20 Summit last year, however, they are still being adjusted to the situation in Labuan Bajo. The ministry has also prepared Bintang Flores Hotel as a media center that will be able to accommodate up to 340 people during the ASEAN Summit. Preparations at the media center are expected to be completed this week. press conference room for up to 200 journalists with facilities for photojournalists and camerapersons, booths for live reports, as well as an adequate medical room, and a dining hall will be made available at the hotel. He added that as of Tuesday, 319 journalists from national media, official media, and foreign correspondents had been verified for covering the summit. s the person in charge of communication, media, and public relations for the summit, Plate said he hopes that all activities will run successfully. Indonesia’s preparations for hosting the event have been extraordinary and on par with the G20 Summit in Bali last November, he stressed. “Hopefully, everything will run smoothly and make us proud,” he remarked. baca-jugaRelated news: ASEAN Summit attendees required to be fully vaccinated against COVIDRelated news: Local community should maintain order during ASEAN Summit: NTT PoliceRelated news: ASEAN Summit exhibition to feature 10 top MSMEs’ products

Source: Antara News Agency

Preparations for the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, are 90 percent complete, secretary of the State Secretariat Ministry, Setya Utama, informed at the “2023 ASEAN Summit Readiness FMB9 Dialogue” on Friday.Meanwhile, the remaining 10 percent preparations will be completed the day before the peak agenda for the summit on May 10 and 11, 2023, because they can only be carried out during that period. “We can do it the day before because, on the previous day, the venue will still be used for other events,” he explained. Utama outlined the activities that will be held as part of the 2023 ASEAN Summit, which will begin on May 6. “The event actually begins on May 6. It involves the arrival of ASEAN permanent representatives, then official secretariats and delegations in Labuan Bajo,” he said. Next, on May 7, there will be a meeting of the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) in Golo Mori. On May 8, an ASEAN SOM (Senior Officials’ Meeting) will be held at the same location. “We have already prepared for the Golo Mori MICE (meeting, incentive, conference, and exhibition); the infrastructure is supported by many parties, including SOEs (state-owned enterprises) and PUPR (Public Works and Public Housing),” the official said. baca-jugaRelated news: All hands on deck for ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo On May 9, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will take place at Ayana Hotel, he informed. “The summit will only start on May 10 at Meruorah Hotel. We have already prepared (the hotel), starting from now,” he said. In addition, on May 10, a spouse program will be held at Puncak Waringin. “To this day, there are six spouses that will attend, and we are still waiting for the possibility of others who will attend the spouse program,” he added. fter the meeting at Meruorah Hotel is over, ASEAN leaders will be able to enjoy the beauty of the sunset while sailing toward Bidadari Island. That will be followed by a welcoming dinner at Ayana Hotel in the evening. “There are also several other meetings that we will facilitate on May 11,” Utama said. The series of events of the 2023 ASEAN Summit will conclude with a press briefing by Indonesian President Joko Widodo at Bintang Flores Hotel. “The President will head toward Bintang Flores Hotel and in there he will deliver a briefing to the entire attending media crew,” he explained. baca-jugaRelated news: Health facilities, infrastructure ready for ASEAN Summit: Ministry Related news: Police conduct Komodo Operation to secure ASEAN Summit

Source: Antara News Agency

Sixty-nine years after its liberation day, Dien Bien has achieved unprecedented economic growth, resulting in significant enhancements to the cultural and social well-being of its residents while simultaneously bolstering national defence and security.

The victory of Dien Bien Phu on May 7, 1954, marked the end of the resistance against French colonialists, though Dien Bien was heavily devastated.

To rebuild Dien Bien, it took two years to clear the battlefields. Despite such difficulties, following the heroic tradition of Dien Bien Phu, the Party Committee, administration and people of all ethnic groups in the province have made efforts to achieve results in the period of renewal, integration, and development.

One of the most notable developments is in the economy. Over the past few years, the locality’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) has always been high, averaging 6.55% in the 1996-2000 period, 9.3% in the 2001-05 period, 11.62% in the 2006-10 period, 9.11% in the 2011-15 period, and 6.8% per year in the 2016-20 period.

The per capita GRDP in 2020 reached over 38 million VND (1,663 USD). In 2021, the province’s total GRDP reached 6.02% (higher than the country’s average growth rate). The GRDP in 2022 continues to increase by 10.19%, ranking Dien Bien second out of the 14 provinces in the northern midland and mountainous region and 14th out of the 63 provinces and cities nationwide.

As a land with significant historical and cultural values, for the past 69 years, Dien Bien has always preserved and promoted the value of the Dien Bien Phu historical site, contributing to making it an attractive tourist destination.

According to statistics, from 2016 to 2020, Dien Bien welcomed 3 million tourists, earning total revenue of 4,8 trillion VND.

On April 18, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed a decree approving the general planning task of Dien Bien Phu city until 2045. The city will become a national-level cultural and historical tourism city, a centre for commerce, services, resort tourism, and logistics of the region, creating momentum for the socio-economic development of Dien Bien province and the surrounding regions.

Dien Bien has become increasingly attractive to domestic and foreign investors. As of 2022, the province had 195 projects with a total registered capital of nearly 43.2 trillion VND./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and a high-ranking delegation of Luxembourg left Vietnam, successfully concluding their official visit to Vietnam from May 3-5 at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

During his stay in Vietnam, Bettel held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Chinh, witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in finance, including an agreement on strategic partnership in green finance between the two countries’ finance ministries, met with the press on outcomes of the talks, had a meeting with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and visited the Temple of Literature and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

The PM also visited Ho Chi Minh City, attended and delivered a speech at the Vietnam-Luxembourg Business Forum, visited the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange and the War Remnants Museum, and scoped out climate change impacts in the area along Sai Gon River.

During the meetings, the two sides affirmed their wish and determination to advance the bilateral relationship to a new development period, making it more intensive, extensive and substantive.

They agreed on measures to enhance the political trust and deepen the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries such as increasing all-level delegation exchanges, effectively implementing bilateral cooperation mechanisms and establishing new ones, and pushing ahead with the construction of logistics centres.

The Luxembourg PM consented to effectively and fully materialising the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in order to boost bilateral trade, and to urge other EU countries to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

The leader also noted his support for EU-Vietnam cooperation in sustainable fishery, and the EC to remove its ‘”yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood at an early date.

Apart from green finance, the two sides concurred to step up collaboration in culture, science-technology, information-communications, people-to-people exchange, tourism, and climate change response.

Regarding regional and international issues of shared concern, they affirmed their further coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums and international organisations such as ASEAN-EU cooperation, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the United Nations, especially at the time when both countries are members of the UN Human Rights Council, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

On the East Sea issue, they reiterated the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, neither using force nor threatening to use force, and settling disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The two sides expressed their support for the early approval of a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.

Following the visit to Luxembourg by PM Chinh in December 2022, PM Bettel’s official visit to Vietnam demonstrates the two countries’ resolve to work together in elevating the bilateral cooperation to a new height./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency