Indonesia rolls out strategies to ease economic pressure
President Joko Widodo laid out strategies that could bring about a competitive edge for Indonesia when the country faces pressures from other nations over its trade policies on palm oil and nickel.
Jakarta (VNA) - President Joko Widodo on December 12 laidout strategies that could bring about a competitive edge for Indonesia when thecountry faces pressures from other nations over its trade policies on palm oiland nickel.
By reducingimports and boosting exports, the current account deficit could be narrowed andcreate a stronger comparative advantage for the country, the President saidduring his visit to automotive manufacturer Isuzu Astra Motor Indonesia (IAMI)in Karawang, West Java.
Indonesia has just shipped IsuzuStraga vehicles to the Philippines. However, within the next three years, thecars will be exported to 20 other countries in Africa, East Asia and the MiddleEast, he said.
Indonesia’s automobile exports needed to be increased to at least1 million vehicles by 2024, from less than 300,000 vehicles currently. That way the current accountdeficit can be controlled and the trade balance can be managed, according tothe President.
The Indonesian Government has rolled out several policies to courtmore investment, particularly for the production of goods that substitute itsimport needs or goods that are oriented for exports, including last year’s revampof tax holiday incentives directed toward pioneering industries, such aspetrochemical, electronics and pharmaceutical manufacturing, among others. In addition, the governmentis also drafting an omnibus law on job creation that aims to simplify regulationsto make it easier for investors to invest in the country, effectively amendingarticles in more than 70 laws./.
The number of foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia in 2019 may fall short of the government’s target of 18 million after attracting only 13.62 million in January - October.
The total damage and economic losses from forest fires in Indonesia this year has amounted to at least 5.2 billion USD, equal to 0.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, the World Bank said in a report on December 11.
Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim has announced four educational policy programmes dubbed "Merdeka Belajar" or freedom of learning, including the termination of the national examination (UN) starting in 2021.
PT Bank Mandiri Tbk of Indonesia is planning to expand its business to the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam, its director Darmawan Junaidi told reporters on December 11.
Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed in principle on the use of technology such as drones to monitor security and crime along the borders of both countries.
The firefighters found an active blaze at the lorry depot located in the city of Pasir Gudang near the state capital of Johor Bahru, with flames spreading quickly due to strong winds and igniting a neighboring disused oil storage area.
Investigators believe the operation is part of a broader scam network involving romance scams, where victims are lured into fake relationships and persuaded to transfer money.
Ambassadors, Consuls General, along with staff and their families, joined traditional sports and cultural activities of Southeast Asia and performances bearing regional identity, thus contributing to strengthening unity and the ASEAN community spirit in New York.
In his post on social media the same day, Hun Manet said energy companies would be able to import sufficiently from other sources to meet domestic fuel and gas demands in the country.
The forum, which involves global experts and creative leaders from across 14 cultural sectors, aims to expand Thailand’s presence on the world stage through innovation and cultural exchange.
In his article, Oscar Sanchez Serra highlighted President Ho Chi Minh’s founding of the Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper on June 21, 1925, which marked the birth of Vietnam's revolutionary press rooted in a bold and far-sighted vision.
Several ASEAN meetings are scheduled to take place in Port Dickson this September, including the Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) for ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the 15th ASEAN Maritime Forum, and the 13th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum.
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered the urgent implementation of a national policy to crack down on all forms of call centre scams, online fraud, and illegal gambling, which are now considered threats to national security.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and EAEU Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev jointly declared the conclusion of FTA talks on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025), according to the statement.
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
President Joko Widodo (L) (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
