Tag: indonesia

  • UAE discusses cooperation with Indonesia, South Korea

    UAE discusses cooperation with Indonesia, South Korea

    The meetings touched upon cooperative relations and ways to further develop them across various fields…reports Asian Lite News

    Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, met separately with Prabowo Subianto, Indonesian Minister of Defence, and Kang Eun-ho, South Korean Minister of the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration, in the presence of a number of senior officers and officials of the Ministry.

    During the meetings, held on the sidelines of the World Defence Show in Riyadh, Al Bowardi praised the existing cooperative relations between the UAE and the two countries, while the guests commended the organisation of the World Defence Show.

    UAE discusses cooperation with Indonesia, South Korea (WAM)

    The meetings touched upon cooperative relations and ways to further develop them across various fields, especially in the defence and military ones. Moreover, views were exchanged on a number of issues of common concern.

    ALSO READ: World Defence Show in Riyadh discusses Vision 2030, Innovation

    Al Bowardi heads UAE delegation to World Defence Show in Riyadh (WAM)

    Al Bowardi heads UAE delegation to World Defence Show in Riyadh

    Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, headed a delegation of senior officers and officials of the Ministry of Defence to attend the first edition of the World Defence Show in Riyadh.

    Founded by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the World Defence Show – set to be held every two years – showcases the latest technological developments from around the globe, demonstrating defence interoperability across all major domains – air, land, sea, space and security systems.

    Al Bowardi heads UAE delegation to World Defence Show in Riyadh (WAM)

    Al Bowardi toured the exhibition and visited the UAE and Saudi pavilions. He was briefed on the latest exhibits and he thanked those in charge of both pavilions and wished them success.

    Al Bowardi heads UAE delegation to World Defence Show in Riyadh (WAM)

    The Show, featuring nearly 600 exhibitors from over 40 countries, opened on Sunday in Riyadh. Around 30,000 visitors are expected to attend the four-day event.

    High-level delegations from dozens of countries will visit stands and pavilions featuring products and demonstrations from hundreds of global and local exhibitors.

  • Indonesia to ban travelers from Iran

    Indonesia to ban travelers from Iran

    The travel ban is imposed because those countries have recorded a significant number of reports on local infections of the Omicron variant…reports Asian Lite News

    Indonesia will ban entry for foreign travellers from France starting from Friday following rising Omicron variant infections in the European country, according to the latest regulation on travel restriction released by the Indonesian Covid-19 Task Force.

    France has been added to Indonesia’s travel ban list following 13 other countries including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, Malawi, Angola, Norway, Denmark, and the UK, Xinhua news agency reported.

    The travel ban is imposed because those countries have recorded a significant number of reports on local infections of Omicron variant, or because they are geographically located near South Africa, where the Omicron variant was first detected.

    ALSO READ: Global Covid caseload tops 300 mn

    As of Wednesday, the Health Ministry has recorded a total of 254 omicron infections in Indonesia, including 15 local transmissions.

    The regulation also states that Indonesian citizens with travel histories from the 14 countries are allowed to enter Indonesia, but must undergo a 10-day quarantine.

    Meanwhile, Indonesian citizens and foreigners from other than the listed countries must undergo a seven-day quarantine.

  • Jaishankar speaks to FMs of Australia, Indonesia, Maldives and Bhutan

    Jaishankar speaks to FMs of Australia, Indonesia, Maldives and Bhutan

    Referring to the talks with Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji, Jaishankar said the unique relationship between the two countries stands even stronger amidst the coronavirus challenge….reports Asian Lite News

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held telephonic talks with his counterparts from Australia, Indonesia, Maldives and Bhutan and discussed issues related to strengthening of bilateral ties.

    In his conversation with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, Jaishankar exchanged views on greater advancement of ties between the two countries in 2022.

    “A New Year call with Australian FM and Quad partner @MarisePayne. Confident that 2022 will see even greater advancement in our ties,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Australian counterparts Defence Minister Peter Dutton and Moreign Minister Marise Payne and discussed the crisis in Afghanistan arising out of Taliban takeover. (Credit : Twitter)

    Similarly, he had a detailed conversation with Foreign Minister of Indonesia Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi on the situation in Myanmar and Afghanistan. Both Ministers also resolved to work closely in the G-20.

    “Good talk with FM @Menlu_RI at the beginning of the year. Agreed to take forward our bilateral ties. Exchanged views on Myanmar and Afghanistan. Will work closely in the G-20 troika,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    With regard to his telephonic talks with the Maldivian Foreign Minister, EAM Jaishankar said, “Recognised the great progress in bilateral cooperation in my talk with FM Abdulla Shahid.”

    He further tweeted: “Its mutual benefits are very visible. Conveyed my New Year’s greetings to the people and Government of Maldives.”

    Referring to the talks with Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji, Jaishankar said the unique relationship between the two countries stands even stronger amidst the coronavirus challenge.

    “A warm conversation and New Year greetings exchange with @FMBhutan. Assessed the continuing progress in our Development Partnership. Our unique relationship stands even stronger amidst the Corona challenge,” the EAM said in his tweet.

    Earlier on Tuesday, EAM Jaishankar held telephonic talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

    With the Russian FM, EAM Jaishankar’s conversation revolved around the follow up of the India-Russia Annual Summit and maiden two plus two ministerial meeting between the two countries.

    Jaishankar’s telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Blinken covered current bilateral issues, Indo-Pacific and pressing global matters.

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  • UAE, Indonesia discuss boosting economic ties at Expo

    UAE, Indonesia discuss boosting economic ties at Expo

    The UAE Ministry of Finance and its Indonesian counterpart have discussed bolstering economic relations between both countries during their participation at Expo 2020 Dubai…reports Asian Lite News

    The Ministry of Finance (MoF) participated in the Indonesian Ministry of Finance Week’s events, organised by the Indonesian Pavilion from 21st to 22nd December, 2021.

    UAE, Indonesia discuss boosting economic ties at Expo

    Mariam Mohammad Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Management of Financial Resources at MoF was briefed on the latest sustainable projects and methods of developing Islamic economic financing in Indonesia.

    She also met with Husin Bagis, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the UAE, and Boby Wahyu Hernawan, Finance Attaché, Indonesian Embassy in the UAE; along with other officials from the MoF and the Government of Dubai’s Department of Finance.

    Al Amiri noted that the UAE aims to expand its economic, trade and investment relations with Indonesia, to spur the business environment and promote investment, growth and prosperity. She said, “The UAE is keen to establish strategic economic partnerships with Indonesia and various promising markets globally, to build a new phase of sustainable growth during the next stage.”

    Bagis said, “We have taken vital steps to consolidate cooperation with the UAE, as the Indonesian Government has seriously developed the syaria economy by setting up The National Committee of Islamic Economy and Finance (KNEKS) led directly by President Joko Widodo. These developments have flourished the syaria economy ecosystem in Indonesia, as indicated by the market share and its Sharia Human Capital Indexes. On the other hand, Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI), the largest Islamic Sharia bank in Indonesia, is opening its first representative office in the Emirate of Dubai.”

    ALSO READ: UAE Leaders Meet Indonesian President

    The Indonesian Ministry of Finance Week at Expo 2020 Dubai included several events, such as a talk show on sustainable projects to highlight such projects in the country and investment potentials and achievements in managing sustainable projects. In addition, a seminar was held on developing the Islamic economy and finance, discussing the importance of education in the field of Islamic economy and finance and boosting them between both countries.

    Earlier this year, the UAE, with the Indonesia Investment Authority, invested more than US$10 billion to stimulate Indonesia’s economic growth across strategic fields such as energy, infrastructure, tourism, technology and food security.

  • Indonesia allows travellers from Hong Kong

    Indonesia allows travellers from Hong Kong

    The Indonesian government has allowed travellers from Hong Kong to enter the country ahead of year-end holidays…reports Asian Lite News

    The Indonesian government has allowed travellers from Hong Kong to enter the country ahead of year-end holidays, while putting the UK, Norway and Denmark into the travel ban list, citing increasing cases of the Omicron Covid variant in the three countries.

    Indonesia allows travellers from Hong Kong

    With the new decision, Indonesia now has a total of 13 countries on its travel ban list including South Africa, Bostwana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, Malawi, Angola and Zambia, reports Xinhua news agency.

    Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan told a press conference on Monday that the government could add more countries to the list depending on the development of the situation in Indonesia.

    “We keep watching the situation and we do the weekly evaluation. We still have no idea about the details of the Omicron variant, although many researchers have found that it is more transmissible,” Pandjaitan said.

    As of Monday, the country’s Health Ministry has confirmed three Omicron cases.

    “We still urge that the public avoid travelling abroad if there is no essential purpose,” Pandjaitan said.

    The government has decided to extend the restrictions on public activities, locally known as PPKM, outside Java and Bali from Friday to January 3, 2022, a senior minister said.

    The measure was taken following the mechanism on the PPKM during the Christmas and New Year holidays based on the level of the pandemic assessment, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said at a virtual press conference in Jakarta on Monday.

    ALSO READ: Kuwait tightens travel restrictions

    Hartarto also said the number of daily cases outside Java and Bali for the last seven days has decreased by 98.9 per cent with a fatality rate of 3.12 per cent and a recovery rate of 96.71 per cent.

    The number of coronavirus cases in the country has now risen to 4,260,677, as 133 new patients were recorded in the past 24 hours.

    As many as 216 patients recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 4,111,835, and 11 more people died of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 144,013.

  • At least 13 people died in Indonesia’s Mt Semeru eruption

    At least 13 people died in Indonesia’s Mt Semeru eruption

    At least 13 people died and 98 others were injured after Mount Semeru in Indonesia’s East Java erupted, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said…reports Asian Lite News

    “Two bodies have been identified, while others are still in the process,” according to the BNPB’s spokesman Abdul Muhari.

    All those injured, including two pregnant women, are currently under medical treatment at nearby health centres.

    At least 13 people died in Indonesia’s Mt Semeru eruption

    Meanwhile, 902 people have been evacuated to a village hall, a school building, and houses of worship.

    Volcanic ash has buried a number of houses, roads and a bridge, Xinhua news agency reported.

    Officers are digging up the ash covering the road using heavy equipment, while evacuating and searching for missing persons.

    ALSO READ: Volcano flares up in Indonesia

    The 3,676-meter-high volcano erupted on Saturday at 3:10 p.m. Jakarta time.

    The hot clouds stopped falling due to the rain. Authorities called on people not to move near the rivers on which the lava is flowing.

  • UAE Leaders Meet Indonesian President

    UAE Leaders Meet Indonesian President

    Enhancement of trade between the UAE and Indonesia was a key focus of the meeting…reports Asian Lite News

    His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on Thursday met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at Expo 2020 Dubai, in the presence of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance.

    Sheikh Mohammed and the Indonesian President witnessed the exchange of a series of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements between the two countries for cooperation in the sectors of financial services, investment, travel and energy, and the avoidance of double taxation.

    UAE Leaders Meet Indonesian President

    The meeting was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee; Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, apart from senior dignitaries and officials.

    The two sides discussed issues of mutual interests and ways to boost bilateral cooperation. They also discussed new avenues to enhance bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the people of the two countries. The discussions also highlighted the importance of offering the private sectors of Indonesia and UAE opportunities to explore investment in both countries and launch joint companies.

    Enhancement of trade between the UAE and Indonesia was a key focus of the meeting. The UAE’s longstanding bilateral relationship with Indonesia is anchored on close cultural ties and a shared commitment to enabling greater economic development and prosperity between both countries. The total value of the UAE’s non-oil trade with Indonesia in 2020 reached $2 billion and the country is seeking to increase trade volumes significantly in the coming years through the Indonesia – UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IUAE-CEPA). In the last five years, the total value of non-oil trade between Indonesia and the UAE exceeded $11 billion.

    Current estimates indicate that opportunities to increase non-oil trade are promising, with an annual growth potential of $1.6 billion in several sectors, including jewellery, vegetable oil, automobiles and car parts, copper, rubber and aluminium.

    The meeting also discussed regional and international developments, the progress made in combating the pandemic and efforts made in the UAE and Indonesia to accelerate development in the post-COVID phase. The two sides also discussed the importance of global cooperation in tackling climate change, which has seen the UAE working to deliver on climate action, as part of which it recently announced a plan for net-zero emissions by 2050.

    ALSO READ: Will Support Practical, Scalable Solutions to Climate Change: UAE

    Earlier, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Indonesian President discussed friendship ties between the two countries at various political, economic and trade levels, as well as joint steps needed to enhance them.

    During the meeting, held at Al Bahr Palace, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and President Widodo spoke about the importance of the UAE’s hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai in promoting its mission and common human values in communication and convergence between the world’s cultures, peoples and civilisations, as well as introducing countries to their development experiences, historical peculiarities and cultural advantages, in addition to Indonesia’s distinguished participation as a country blessed with diverse sustainable resources.

    Indonesian President visited Al Jubail Island and planted a mangrove tree. The UAE has given special care to this tree due to its role in preserving the environment.

  • PM agrees to support Indonesia towards post pandemic recovery

    PM agrees to support Indonesia towards post pandemic recovery

    The Prime Minister also congratulated Indonesia for the G20 Presidency next year and assured President Joko Widodo of India’s readiness to work closely with the Southeast-Asian country….reports Asian Lite News

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Rome and both sides discussed the recent course of India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

    During the meeting, the Prime Minister also congratulated Indonesia for the G20 Presidency next year and assured President Joko Widodo of India’s readiness to work closely with the Southeast-Asian country.

    The two leaders appreciated each other’s steadfast support during the COVID-19 pandemic, and agreed to cooperate towards post-pandemic recovery. They also emphasized the importance of Indo-Pacific cooperation, the statement added.

    Both leaders committed to strengthen bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, and pave way for greater people-to-people interaction, it stated.

    Discussions also took place on combating climate change, particularly on the need for implementation of climate finance commitments, the statement said.

    The G20 Summit hosted by Italy for two days (October 30-31), saw the participation of the Heads of State and Government of the world’s major economies to address several key topics of the global agenda.

    ALSO READ: Modi interacts with Indian Diaspora in Glasgow

  • Indonesia allows int’l visitors from 19 countries

    Indonesia allows int’l visitors from 19 countries

    This policy only applies specifically to direct flights to Bali and Riau Islands…reports Asian Lite News

    Indonesia has allowed international visitors from 19 countries, including India, with a Covid-19 positivity rate of less than 5 per cent to enter the country, Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said.

    Indonesia allows int’l visitors from 19 countries

    Besides India, the other 18 countries are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), New Zealand, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, China, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Hungary and Norway, reports Xinhua news agency.

    “This policy only applies specifically to direct flights to Bali and Riau Islands,” Pandjaitan added.

    They are allowed to enter Indonesia if they test negative for Covid-19, have been fully vaccinated, and have health insurance as well as proof of booking accommodations for a five-day quarantine.

    ALSO READ: J&K returns to pre-pandemic levels with big leap in tourism

    Bali is an Indonesian province with the most international visitors, while Riau Islands, in the west of the country bordering Singapore, is in the second position of foreign tourist arrivals.

    Indonesia resumed flights for international visitors in the two provinces from Thursday as the Covid-19 pandemic has been under control.

  • India, Indonesia plan joint patrols in Malacca straits

    India, Indonesia plan joint patrols in Malacca straits

    Indian strategic planners fully understand Indonesia’s importance in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region, reports Rahul Kumar

    India and Indonesia, two major democracies in Asia are moving fast to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Despite Covid-19 bringing the world to a halt, the two have been working on improving defence, maritime and security related issues since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in May 2018.

    Recently, V. Muraleedharan, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs discussed cooperation on regional issues with Mahendra Siregar, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia.

    In an exclusive interview to India Narrative, Prof. Baladas Ghoshal, former chairman of the Centre for South and Southeast Asian Studies, JNU, and former General Secretary at the Society for Indian Ocean Studies says: “Much is happening between India and Indonesia in defence and maritime arenas. The two nations have been discussing the sale of Brahmos and India’s role in capacity building Indonesia’s maritime forces”.

    Indonesia, a prominent South East Asian nation, is also discussing the possibility of joint patrolling in the strategic strait of Malacca which connects the Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea in the Pacific Ocean. This is a maritime route through which a large percentage of the global trade crosses. The two nations have also been discussing increased access for India to Indonesia ports including Sabang and Aceh.

    Prof. Ghoshal says: “If we get access to Indonesia ports, we look into the Pacific. France already has a presence there. If we put ourselves there, we can put China in great difficulty”. He adds that the Aceh and Andaman link could be established for trade and financial purposes. “The Aceh port is only 80 km from Nicobar. The two countries are discussing creating a regional economic zone in this region”.

    There is a convergence of interests between the two nations who share civilization links and take pride in a common cultural heritage. What also brings Delhi and Jakarta closer is the fact that both pursue an independent foreign policy doctrine. Located strategically, Indonesia as a matter of policy, does not allow foreign military bases on its territory.

    ALSO READ: Indonesia urged not to push back Rohingya

    Modi’s visit in 2018 led to a strategic engagement in which the nations decided to hold annual summit meetings and framed a “robust architecture of dialogue in place, including the Ministerial and Working Group Mechanisms”. They also agreed to enhance mutual trust through regular interactions between the defence forces of the two countries.

    A joint statement by Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo led to the adoption of a ‘Shared Vision on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific between India and Indonesia’, with the belief that the two nations can cooperate in the maritime sector and be a force of stability in the region. The two are engaged comprehensively on this.

    Despite the restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Delhi and Jakarta have made progress on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through regular discussions. Prof. Ghoshal says: “A lot is happening in terms of foreign policy–dialogues, visits and discussions. But India will have to up its game by walking the talk and reducing its bureaucratic tape. The ASEAN nations, including Indonesia, look for clear objectives. India will have to move faster on the discussions”.

    Analysts point out China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region is also providing the subtext for spurring stronger New Delhi-Jakarta ties. China has been intruding in the direction of the Natuna islands claimed by Indonesia. India, on its part, has still not seen the restoration of status quo ante following China’s ingress in Ladakh.

    Indian strategic planners fully understand Indonesia’s importance in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Indonesian archipelago hosts at least four major choke points, which can be leveraged to counter Beijing, as some of them are critical for China’s seaborne trade.

    Foremost among these channels is the Malacca strait�a narrow, 890 km stretch of water between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The vast majority of China’s oil imports, from the Gulf, Venezuela and Angola, passes through this route, which is also the lifeline for Japan and South Korea � the other major industrial economies of the region.

    Indonesia also hosts the Sunda Strait�the channel between the islands of Sumatra and Java. It is an important waterway for ships travelling along the Cape route in Africa to East Asia. Australian vessels setting course to destinations in Southeast or East Asia, also make active use of this passage.

    The third channel, the Lombok Strait, also a part of the Indonesian archipelago, is deep and wide. It is therefore ideal for transiting huge oil tankers and other monster ships with 100,000 dead weight tonnage or more. The Ombai-Wetar Straits, also in Indonesia, play a unique military role. Because they are extremely deep, they provide undetected passage for submarines traveling between the Pacific and Indian Ocean. Consequently, there is considerable interest in these straits among the strategic communities of the Indo-Pacific countries, who are wary of the transit of Chinese submarines from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean.

    (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

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