Monthly Archives: February 2011

Promote “we feeling” upon realization of ASEAN Community 2015

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – Promoting "we feeling" of the people of ASEAN is a must to support the realization of the ASEAN Community by 2015, Chairman of ASEAN Foundation Makarim Wibisono said.

"The presence of ownership, togetherness and communication among people will smooth the relations between members of ASEAN and therefore reduce friction or internal conflicts. In the end, the unity of ASEAN will be more solid" Makarim said here on Thursday.

However, he admitted that people`s interaction in the region was still relatively small compared to inter governmental relations. He said the imbalance of communication could lead to the disintegration of ASEAN because people to people contacts was one of the key elements which will strengthen ASEAN unity. 

"There are many ways to promote the togetherness feeling such as conducting activities which involved people in ASEAN such as journalists, photographers or academicians," he said. 

Earlier Makarim said, in line with ASEAN`s quest for a full-fledged community by 2015, the ASEAN Foundation which strives for common prosperity among ASEAN member states was offering at least six programs during his term of office.

"I intend to hold a meeting of editors from various media in ASEAN and give ASEAN awards to those participating in the promotion of the ASEAN community," he said.

In the field of arts, he said, the ASEAN Foundation also offered a program to translate Indonesian soap operas into the languages of each ASEAN member country or the other way around.

"In education, we aim to set up an ASEAN University in the business field to increase the value of trade or investment among ASEAN member states which is still low compared to that with their trading partners such as China and Japan," he said.

The ASEAN Foundation also wanted to assist ASEAN member states prone to disasters in making disaster management programs coupled with the application of e-learning, he said.

"In the era of digital technology we need to provide information on ASEAN by making use of e-learning," he said.

He added however that to meet the target of the programs the ASEAN Foundation was facing funding problems.

"As a foundation relying on voluntary funding, we find it hard to ask member states to give a contribution in fixed amounts because this runs counter to the characteristics of the foundation," he said.

ASEAN groups Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
(Uu.AO51/H-NG/A014)

source:  http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/68466/promote-we-feeling-upon-realization-of-asean-community-2015

Govt to review generic drug market prices

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – The Health Ministry is to review the prices of generic drugs in the market in light of the fact that an increase in tax on medicinal raw materials has prompted pharmaceutical industries to raise the prices of branded drugs, a spokesperson said. 

"We will review generic medicine prices, but if they are eventually increased, the hikes will not be sharp because we must keep them affordable by most people," Sri Indrawati, director general of pharmaceutical and medical devices development at the health ministry, said here Friday.

Moreover, she said, many pharmaceutical companies had demanded that generic drug prices be increased because, in their view, the prices were unreasonably low.

Following the imposition of a 5-percent duty on imported medicinal raw materials through Finance Ministry Regulation number 241/2010, drug companies had raised the prices of their products since January.

Sri Indrawati said the review of generic drugs prices would be done later this year and was expected to be completed as soon as possible.

The Health Ministry had earlier called on pharmaceutical companies not to raise their drug prices since there would then be many people who could not afford to buy branded drugs.

"The Health Ministry will greatly appreciate their decision not to raise drug prices but to reduce their profit margins instead," she said.

Sri said that a drug price increase would mostly impact on the middle and upper class people who spend their own medical treatment expenses because the poor will still be guaranteed by the national healthcare insurance (Jamkesnas and Askes) schemes.

There was also no plan to increase Jamkesmas funding despite the rising drug prices because it has a fairly strong bargaining position to push the price of drugs and most Jamkesmas patients are consuming generic drugs.

Previously, the Joint Pharmaceutical Companies (GP Farmasi) called on the national drug manufacturer to restore the drug price to its original price as in 2010 because at this is not the right time to drug raise prices amid electricity tariff hikes, inflation rates above six percent and a 12 percent minimum wage (UMR) rise.(*)

source:  http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/68493/govt-to-review-generic-drug-market-prices

President Kicks Off Integrated Tourist Zone Project in Bintan

Bintang, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Saturday inaugurated the construction of the first-phase of an integrated tourist zone at Teluk Sebong, Sebong Lagoi village, Bintan District, Riau Islands Province.

The head of state named the new integrated tourist zone "Pesona Lagoi Bintang" (Lagoi Bintang Charm).

Yudhoyono in his speech hoped that the tourist area could become like Singapore or even better.

"Let`s develop this area to become an integrated economic zone," the president, who was accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, said.

Among those present at the inauguration ceremony were Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, Riau Islands Governor Muhammad Sani, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi, and Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro.

In the first phase of its development process, "Pesona Lagoi Bintang" will be built on a plot of land measuring 338 hectares. 

The project is being implemented by a consortium consisting of several companies including Malaysia-based Landmarks lifestyle company.

The developers will construct a water city resort in the area bought by Landmarks Berhad in 2006.

The integrated tourist zone will also include an international ferry terminal, a marine terminal, a marine aircraft terminal, a cruise ship area, and integrated immigration service office.

There will also be a water recreational area, shopping centers, hotels, amusement parks, villas, housing complexes, apartments, meeting halls, universities and hospitals.

The construction works of the project`s first phase is expected to be complected in 2015 and it will connect with other isles in Riau Islands Province.

Only a short ferry ride of about one-hour from Singapore, the Riau Islands represent an ideal and easily accessible destination for holiday makers. 

source:  http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/68517/president-kicks-off-integrated-tourist-zone-project-in-bintan

Govt thinking of setting up six economic corridors

Makassar, South Sulawesi (ANTARA News) – Indonesia plans to set up six corridors to accelerate development and economic expansion across the country, vice governor of South Sulawesi, Agus Arifin Nu`mang, said here on Wednesday. 

This is one of the topics discussed at the government`s recent meeting in Bogor, West Java, attended by heads of regions from across the country, he said.

"There is a new paradigm. For accelerating development and economic expansion the government will divide the country into six corridors namely Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua and Bali-Nusa Tenggara," he said when explaining the results of the meeting that he also attended.

He said the new paradigm is about the role of the state-owned companies in investment. So far the state-owned companies` investment has been worth around Rp380 trillion a year. The investment is expected to be increased up to Rp860 trillion. 

The targets of investment will be adjusted to regions` superiority such as Kalimantan for mining and Sulawesi for production and processing of plantation and fishery products, he said.

"This does not mean that mining may not be developed in Sulawesi. South Sulawesi`s position as a surplus rice producer is also linked to national and world food resilience," he said.

He said South Sulawesi which holds a strategic position as a rice producing region has asked the central government to give support to the region`s agricultural infrastructure and road development.

"This includes the development of Trans-Sulawesi to make it to have two lanes from Makassar to Parepare and other provinces around South Sulawesi," he said.

He said the central government had asked regional governments to solve regulations that are overlapping. "This will provide us an opportunity to develop Sulawesi integratedly," he said.

It will also be used to meet the target of making Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi, to become the hub of land and sea transportation for eastern Indonesian regions, he said.

He said the Soekarno-Hatta seaport would also be developed like the Hasanuddin international airport.

source:  http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/68394/govt-thinking-of-setting-up-six-economic-corridors

RI govt`s habit of importing rice criticized

Serang, Banten (ANTARA News) – Indonesian tycoon Aburizal Bakrie said he was concerned with the government`s habit of importing rice despite the country`s fertile farmland. 

"Something may be wrong with our system, so that we must import rice," he told newsmen on the sidelines of his visit to Kubang Puji village, Pontang subdistrict, Serang district, Banten province, on Wednesday.

He said he had asked the director general of infrastructure of the ministry of agriculture about the fact of Indonesia`s relatively-high rice production at this present harvest time.

Aburizal Bakrie argued that the government should purchase local farmers` rice if their stocks were sufficient.

"We buy the rice stocks of our farmers because it can help improve their welfare," said the Golkar Party leader and former cabinet minister.

The government`s efforts to improve the local farmers` welfare could be made by rising its pricing level when buying the farmers` stocks, he said.

"What we can expect the government or State Logistics Agency (Bulog) to do is to increase the purchasing prices for our farmers` rice stocks," he said.

About imported rice, Trade Minister Mari Pangestu said recently that the government had given the green light to Bulog to import 1.5 million tons of rice in a bid to maintain food resilience.

"In principle we provide the flexibility to Bulog, because it has to maintain rice stock of 1.5 million tons by making the procurement from within and outside the country," Mari said.

According to the trade minister, rice imports were also intended to control fluctuating prices.

Bulog President Director Sutarto Alimoeso himself said that the realization of rice imports by Bulog would be conducted no later than March this year.

Since the beginning, the government had permitted Bulog to import 1.5 million tons of rice to maintain food resilience because his agency did not want to have rice shortages, he added.(*)

source:  http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/68420/ri-govts-habit-of-importing-rice-criticized

PLN: 1,455 MW geothermal power plants under contract

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – State power company PT PLN signed a geothermal energy sales contract as part of the second stage power plant development project with a total capacity of 1,455 MW.

"Some 1,455 MW of the total of 3,967 MW project and the other 2,512 MW had yet to be signed, so that the contract covered 37 percent," PLN`s renewable energy division chief, Muhammad Sofyan, said here Tuesday.

The energy sales contract was for the existing mining working area, a project built by PLN with a capacity of 20 MW and under a cooperation between PLN and Pertamina Geothermal Energy for 300 MW.

The IPP project consisted of PGE, a joint operating company for an extension of 390 MW, PGE with a JOC status, namely Sarulla and PT Geodipa, Patuha and Dieng 735 MW, and another IPP Cibuni and Tangkuban Perahu II with 10 MW.

"In the meantime, of the 23 new WKP with a capacity of 1,787 MW, are still to be included in a contract," Sofyan said.

The new WKP consisted of IPPs already tendered by the regional administration totalling 782 MW and 1.055 MW not yet tendered.

The second stage of the geotghermal power plant project had been projected to reach 3,967 MW.
(T.K007/H-NG/R013

source:  http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/68407/pln-1455-mw-geothermal-power-plants-under-contract

Three yachts to call at Benoa

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) – General Manager of PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) III in Benoa Iwan Sabatini said by the end of this month and early next month, at least three tourist cruisers will be calling at Benoa port in Bali.

They are Rabf Sodi, Flaygen of Sea and Silver Sedo, he said here Friday.

"The visits of foreign tourists are very positive for Bali`s economy, as the island paradise is significantly relying on the tourist sector," head of the former Pelindo spokesman in Surabaya said.

This year, he added, some 28 yachts with a length ranging from 200 to 300 meters will be calling at Benoa.

"Last year 27 yachts anchored at the port, each of them with 1,000 to 2,000 foreign tourists," he said. 

He said that the improved world economy, some 28 yachts may call at Benoa.

Iwan Sabatini said in the long run Pelindo will build a cruise center for yachts, as they are normally longer than ordinary ships and more special rooms for immigration for instance.

Not only to raise its income, PT Pelindo will also constantly increase infrastructure facilities at the port

source:  http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/68502/three-yachts-to-call-at-benoa

Micro businesses contribute 33 pct to economy

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – Bank Indonesia noted that the contribution of micro businesses to the economic growth last year reached 33.08 pct from its 52.2 million, or 98.88 pct of the total number of business enterprises in Indonesia.

Credit, BPR and UMKM directorate deputy director Santoso Wibowo said in Jakarta Friday that the contribution of the micro sector to manpower reached 91.03 pct and the contribution to nonoil exports reached 1.51 pct.

From the contribution to economic growth, the contribution of micro businesses in December 2010 was still lower than that of the big business sector with a contribution of 43.5 pct, with a small number of business units namely 4,677 or 0.01 pct of the total number of business companies in Indonesia.

However, while highly contributing to the economic growth and nonoil exports of 82.96 pct, the big business sector only contributed 2.7 percent.

In the meantime, the small business sector contributed 9.96 pct to the economic growth with 546,675 units or 1,04 pct with a contribution to manpower 3.56 pct and to nonoil exports 3.87 pct.

Whereas the middle business sector contributed 13.47 pct to the economic growth with 410,133 units or 0.08 pct, with a contribution to manpower of 2.71 pct and to nonoil exports 11.65 pct.

Santoso said the contribution of big, middle, small and micro businesses to the economy is now already based on the latest definition on UMKM, namely Law No 20/2008 on UMKM.

Santoso added that up to December 2010 the channeling of middle, small and micro credits had reached 112 pct of the MKM credit business plan in 2010 reaching Rp172.9 trillion.

The banks also noted that more MKM credits had been channeled to the sectors of trade, restaurants and hotels (21.5 pct), services (9,2 pct) and industry (5.8 pct). (*)

source:  http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/68501/micro-businesses-contribute-33-pct-to-economy

Only 5 pct of RI graduates want to be entrepreneurs

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar said only around 5 percent of the country`s university graduates want to be entrepreneurs.

"The results of a survey conducted by our office show only 5 percent of university graduates want to be entrepreneurs and 95 percent want to be employees by receiving salaries or wages," he said at a function marking the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on entrepreneurship training program here on Saturday.

As a matter of fact, by being entrepreneurs they could gain a lot of things, such as self management skills, he said.

In addition, he said the increasing number of entrepreneurs would improve the country`s competitive edge, create more jobs and promote the people`s living standards.

To that end, the Manpower and Transmigration Ministry was encouraging both national and multinational companies to create a kind of apprenticeship program for their employees, he said.

Hopefully, the program would produce more formal workers of international quality, the minister said.

Earlier, US Ambassador to Indonesia Scot Marciel said the vast majority or more than 90 percent of US university graduates engaged in entrepreneurship or became entrepreneurs.(*)

source:  http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/68528/only-5-pct-of-ri-graduates-want-to-be-entrepreneurs

Garbage festival to mark trash problem in Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) – Several groups of people who cared for the environment are to hold a garbage festival called Grebeg Sampah 2011 on Monday (Feb 21), spokesman of the event said here Sunday.

"We are going to bring a mountain of trash consisting of 4,800 instant noodle plastic wrappers, so it`s going to quite big and interesting," Agus Hartana, the coordinator, said here Sunday.

The trash mountain would be paraded by about 150 people starting from Kusumanegara cemetery to the Yogyakarta town hall to be handed over to the Yogyakarta local administration.

"We`ll name ourselves as rubbish victims in the parade," he said.

According to him, the trash mountain was merely a symbol that it was still posing a serious problem to Yogyakarta, and the administration should have the responsibility to solve it.

"That`s why we bring the mountain to the town hall of Yogyakarta to show off the officials that they have a duty to finish the problem of garbage in thes city," he said.

Agus added that the central and local governments might make plans and rules to reduce trash in stages based on Law no. 18/2008 on Garbage Disposal.

"It hasn`t been done (by the government). The administration also has to facilitate the recycling of trash," he said.

The event would be attended by some environmental organizations, such as Non Governmental Organization Lestari, Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) and Trash Management Network.(*)

source:  http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/68269/garbage-festival-to-mark-trash-problem-in-yogyakarta