INDONESIA'S HALAL INDUSTRY GAINS MOMENTUM AMID PANDEMIC by Fardah

 

Jakarta, 1/5/2021 (ANTARA) - Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, is focusing on developing its halal industry to meet domestic and global demand in light of trends that indicate sharia businesses grew amid the economic crises wrought by the pandemic.

The halal industry has been able to record positive performance despite the pressure on economies around the world owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, the industry had recorded a growth of 3.2 percent higher than global economic growth of 2.3 percent.

"Globally, spending on halal products in 2019 before COVID-19 occurred, especially on food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, and travel products had reached US$2.02 trillion," Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati informed on the sidelines of the online launch of a halal industry collaboration program on April 14, 2021.

Indonesia is the world's biggest market for halal products, particularly in the food, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics sectors, she pointed out.

"This potential must inspire business operators to work on the halal industry," she said.

Indonesia's sharia economy is focusing on developing the halal industry, sharia finance, sharia social finance, and sharia entrepreneurship.

The government's support has been apparent from the several policies aimed at developing the halal industry, including the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (KEK) for the industry.

In addition, the collaboration between the National Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance (KNEKS) and companies such as PT. Unilever Indonesia is expected to encourage the halal industry in the country.

Supply chain cooperation is a necessity at this time for strengthening the ecosystem and creating a comprehensive supply chain cooperation, Indrawati said.

Hence, it is crucial to develop a cross-sector collaboration program to support the development of sharia economy and finance in Indonesia, which is targeting to become the world's sharia economy hub, she added.

"This (the Muslim Center of Excellence program) is an initiative from a very positive industry in order to strengthen the ecosystem of the halal industry in Indonesia and strengthen the capabilities and capacities of the industry, including MSMEs, in producing goods meeting the preferences of Muslim groups," she said.

INDONESIA INCORPORATES ISLAMIC VALUES IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY POLICIES by Fardah

 Jakarta, 30/4/2021 (ANTARA) - Having the world's largest Muslim population, it's very natural for Indonesia to start looking at Islamic or sharia economic principles to strengthen its economic resilience and untap potential of the sharia economy.

The sharia economy is believed to enable the nation implement the recovery of its economy battered by the COVID-pademic, toward a just, sustainable, and green economy.

To develop the sharia economy at its full potential, the government in 2020, issued a presidential decree on the National Committee for Sharia Economy and Finance (KNEKS).

The Indonesian government, in fact, has mobilized innovative financing instruments, such as the issuance of Green Sukuk since 2018 to fund climate change action and support targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The government has also set up the Environmental Fund Public Service Agency (BPDLH) to manage environmental financial resources and facilitate the development of trade and carbon pricing, according to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

Indonesia is currently preparing a regulation on carbon pricing to serve as a guideline in formulating domestic policies and an institutional framework for setting carbon prices.

The minister remarked that transitioning to the green economy will have implications for financial stability and inclusion, so it is necessary to prioritize green financing instruments in the financial system.

Moreover, financial institutions should implement strong risk management supported by comprehensive information to assess climate-related risks.

INTRODUCING MAKING INDONESIA 4.0 ROAD MAP GLOBALLY by Antara

 

Jakarta, 27/4 / 2021(ANTARA) - Riding on the momentum of the accelerated digitalization era, the 2021 Hannover Messe has selected Industrial Transformation as the lead theme to demonstrate breakthroughs in advanced technology that address industrial challenges and offer solutions.

Indonesia, as the official partner country of the world's largest industrial technology exhibition, utilizes the opportunity to introduce its industrial transformation road map, with the theme of "Making Indonesia 4.0" and the tagline of Connect to Accelerate."

The 2021 Hannover Messe Digital Edition was virtually inaugurated by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel jointly on April 12, 2021. The new digital format adapts to the current conditions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year's Hannover Messe main event was held digitally on April 12-16, 2021, while the exhibitors' livestreams will be available via recording until June 11. Indonesias status, as an official partner country, digitally lasts for a year until the appointment of a new official partner country.

"This is an extraordinary award, as we are trusted (to be the partner country), which we should be proud of. This is because several competing countries were also keen to be partner countries at the Hannover Messe," Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita remarked following the inauguration.

It is a matter of pride and a valuable momentum for Indonesia to be the partner country, as it is the first ASEAN member state to have the opportunity to become the partner country for Hannover Messe. By becoming a partner country, Indonesia has demonstrated that it is a step ahead of its competitors, he remarked.

Indonesia looks to domestic tourists for tourism revival in 2021 by Fardah

 Jakarta, 12 April 2021 (ANTARA)  - The government is optimistic of ecotourism being among the driving forces for comprehensively implementing a green economy to boost Indonesia’s economic revival.

 

Ecotourism can be defined as tourism that is conducted responsibly to conserve the environment and sustain the well-being of the local people. Its benefits comprise promoting environmental awareness, offering direct financial benefits for conservation, and monetarily benefitting and empowering the local people.

Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Forestry (LHK) Alue Dohong affirmed that the management of nature tourism areas can generate income for the region and society in addition to creating jobs whilst abstaining from damaging and exploitative actions.

West Java has several ecotourism destinations, such as the Gede Pangrango National Park, which can boost local economic activities, and the Situgunung suspension bridge that has become a popular tourist attraction.

In West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), the LHK ministry has reopened Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island and Mount Tambora on Sumbawa Island in West Nusa Tenggara to climbers and tourists since April 1, 2021.

Climbing tourism activities at the two sites had earlier been closed since January 1, 2021, due to inhospitable weather in the mountains that endanger human life.

"Climbing activities at Mount Rinjani are still limited to a maximum quota of 50 percent of the normal capacity, and the length of the climbers' stay is only three days and two nights," Head of the Mount Rinjani National Park (TNGR) Dedy Asriady remarked.

Tourists keen on conducting climbing activities are required to place an order for climbing tickets through the e-Rinjani application downloadable via the Playstore.

The TNGR officers also enforce stringent COVID-19 health protocols on tourists, right from the entrance, at the tourist sites and while leaving the national park area.

Moreover, three COVID-19 green zones in Bali are planned to be opened from July this year amid a marked decline in the number of Indonesia's daily coronavirus disease cases and the nationwide mass vaccination campaign.

Vaccination campaign key for revival of Bali's tourism industry by Fardah

 Jakarta, April 3, 2021 (ANTARA) - The COVID-19 pandemic has dragged Indonesia into serious public health and economic crises, like many other countries in the world.

 

Tourism has been the worst affected by the impact of the pandemic, and the tourism industry of Bali, one of the world's most famous tourist resorts, has been especially hit hard by COVID-19.

 

Since the country recorded its first confirmed cases on March 2, 2020, the Indonesian government has been determined to win the battle against COVID-19. From January 13 this year, the government  has rolled out a nationwide vaccination program to arrest the spread of infections.

 

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reviewed the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Gianyar and Denpasar, Bali province on March 16, 2021, and said he was optimistic that bringing the coronavirus infection under control would help revive the island's tourism industry around the middle of this year.

 

Accompanied by Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Tourism and Creative Economic Minister Sandiaga Uno, and Bali Governor Wayan Koster, Widodo held dialogs with Balinese religious and community leaders as well as frontline public servants to ensure that the vaccination program is implemented properly and successfully as it is key for the revival of tourism.

 

The Balinese people must remain optimistic, as "hope is on the way”, he said. The economy in Bali is expected to recover soon amid the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program, he added.

 

He also spoke of the reopening of three COVID-19 green zones in Bali for tourism amid a marked decrease in the number of daily coronavirus cases nationwide.