A British-flagged cruise ship damaged more than 18,000 square meters (4.4 acres) of coral when it ran aground in waters popular with divers off Indonesia’s eastern province of Papua, government officials said on Wednesday. The 3,800 tonne-Caledonian Sky was carrying 102 passengers when it entered shallow waters at the beginning of this month in Raja Ampat in West Papua and had to be towed back out to sea. The area is known for its biodiversity, diving and pristine beaches, but is largely untouched by the mass tourism seen in destinations like Bali. A joint term from the government and the ship’s insurance company surveyed the location for damage to the coral reef and were calculating economic losses, said Arif Havas Oegroseno, deputy coordinating minister for maritime affairs. "Both parties have concluded that the total coral reef damaged area is 18,882 square meters," he added. Much of the damaged area - the size of around 70 tennis courts – was not salvageable, … [Read more...] about Indonesia finds extensive reef damage after cruise ship runs aground
Indonesia
Bản in : Indonesia, Denmark step up energy cooperation
Danish Queen Margrethe II will embark on her first-ever state visit to Indonesia at the end of October on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Indonesian media reported. She will be accompanied by the foreign minister and the minister for energy, utilities and climate as well as a large business delegation. During her stay in Indonesia, Queen Margrethe II is scheduled to hold talks with President Joko Widodo to discuss cooperation in maritime, agriculture, transport and energy. Indonesia has set ambitious targets for the energy sector. Its vision is another 35,000 megawatts by 2019 - or roughly 70-80 percent more than today. Further, the electrification rate must increase and reach a minimum of 97 percent of the population by 2019. Renewable energy must account for 23 percent by 2025. Therefore, with its own experience and adequate technology, Denmark has become Indonesia’s important partner in actualising these goals. In the … [Read more...] about Bản in : Indonesia, Denmark step up energy cooperation
Bản in : Indonesia urges APEC to reduce tariff for “development goods”
Jakarta (VNA) - Of the 21 economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), Vietnam, Indonesia, Peru and Papua New Guinea have pioneered the concept on “development goods”, according to Indonesia’s Antara news agency on November 17. Indonesia will call for the introduction of a policy for reduced tariff on products that contribute to rural development, which are classified as "development goods", at the APEC Economic Leaders Week (AELW). Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said if the concept is approved by the APEC economies, a number of commodities categorised as “development goods” would attract lower tariff. He added that the plan was put forth before all APEC members but negotiations did not always run smoothly. According to the Indonesian Trade Ministry, no less than 157 products could be categorised as “development goods”. Among these, Indonesia would fight for certain goods, including palm oil, rubber, aquaculture … [Read more...] about Bản in : Indonesia urges APEC to reduce tariff for “development goods”
Bản in : Indonesia exploits advantages to prepare of AEC
Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia, the biggest economy and the only G20 developing nation in Southeast Asia which accounts for about 40 percent of ASEAN’s GDP, has exerted great efforts to prepare itself for the establishment of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of this month. Indonesia has formed a national committee, which include policy-makers at central and local levels, business leaders, and experts, to analyse and assess the situation and identify all preparatory tasks for the government. The government has hereby designed new policies to facilitate exports and imports, improve local business climate and increase competitiveness. It has also developed special mechanisms to handle AEC-related issues and provide information regarding ASEAN Community and its three pillars for not only state agencies but also the public, particularly businesses and students. Suitable roadmaps have been drawn up to boost promising industries, such as electronics, automobile, cement, … [Read more...] about Bản in : Indonesia exploits advantages to prepare of AEC
Indonesia encourages gender equality, women’s empowerment
Hanoi (VNA) - Gender equality and women’s empowerment were the focus of discussion during a ceremony held by the People’s Representative Council (lower house) of Indonesia on March 20 to mark International Women’s Day. The ceremony saw the attendance by more than 30 foreign ambassadors and female delegates from government agencies, research institutes and charity organsiations in Indonesia. Opening the ceremony, Dr. Nurhayati Ali Asegaf, Chairwoman of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation of the People’s Representative Council, highlighted the significance of women’s empowerment in the past years and the role of women in the community. Indonesian women have attained a lot of achievements in various fields in the past decade, she said, adding that they have made great contributions to the politic and social life, and played an important role in the economy. Speaker of the People’s Representative Council Setya Novanto also affirmed the … [Read more...] about Indonesia encourages gender equality, women’s empowerment