ANOC and Qatar Support Indonesia Title World Beach Games

The Association of National Olympic Committee (ANOC) and Qatar expressed their support for Indonesia’s bid to hold the 2023 World Beach Games in Bali. Chairperson of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI), Raja Sapta Okto, who delivered the statement following the rejection of the Governor of Bali regarding the participation of Israeli athletes at the ANOC WBG, which will be held on the Island of the Gods on August 5–12, 2023.
Okto said that after the dynamics of the participation of Israeli athletes emerged, even to the point of being heard abroad, many showed sympathy and gave support to friendly countries both directly and indirectly. Especially after FIFA revoked Indonesia’s status as the host of the U-20 World Cup.
“I got a response, especially from ANOC, who tried to find solutions so that activities (WBG) could still be carried out and all parties could not be disturbed. Like the first host country, Awbg, Qatar, even provided full support after hearing about the situation that occurred today. Because they want to make sure that the activity can take place well, “Okto said in a press conference at the KOI office in Jakarta on Thursday (6/4/2023).
However, Okto, who had served as the 2016 Olympic Chef de Mission in Rio de Janeiro, stressed that Indonesia must be able to pass this precedent for the ideals of the host country of the 2036 Olympics. Where, Qatar became one of its competitors.
“I have communicated from the beginning with them. They said this competition is not about winning or losing winning but about supporting each other. And that we build with other countries. Like the countries in our regional Southeast Asia, Asian countries, and countries around the world. In relation to ANOC, we will intensively communicate. We are looking for solutions, building communication, and diplomatizing with other countries. That is what I say sports as a unifying medium as well as a media for diplomacy, “Okto said.

April 6, 2023, detikFinance
(https://sport.detik.com/sport-lain/d-6659838/anoc-dan-qatar-dukung-indonesia-gelar-world-beach-games)

ADB Lowers Indonesia’s Growth Forecast for 2023-2024

          Indonesia’s economy is expected to grow 4.8 percent in 2023 and 5.0 percent in 2024, which would mark a significant slowdown from the 5.3 percent it achieved last year, according to the latest Asian Development Bank (ADB) assessment.
“Booming commodity exports drove growth to 5.3 percent in 2022, making up for modest domestic demand,” ADB country director for Indonesia Jiro Tominaga said on Tuesday as the multilateral development bank presented its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) for April 2023.
Countries like Indonesia that rely strongly on commodity exports benefited from high prices in 2022 as economies reopened following the COVID-19 pandemic and drove up demand for metals, fossil fuels, and other commodities. Meanwhile, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other geopolitical developments disrupted the supply of some goods and also contributed to a rise in prices. At the same time, Indonesia recorded a strong rebound in domestic consumer spending as mobility restrictions were gradually lifted, which fueled further acceleration of GDP growth.
“Global headwinds in 2023 are projected to cut export growth, although the current account should continue to be close to balance. But because private consumption accounts for a large share of Indonesia’s economy, as consumer spending further normalizes and benefits from the tapering off of inflation, this should put a floor on growth. Investment, however, is likely to remain modest as businesses wait and see,” Tominaga added.
The report, which was published Tuesday, notes that Indonesia’s public finances improved as a result of last year’s solid performance: “The export boom generated windfall revenues that enabled Indonesia to cut the budget deficit below the statutory ceiling of 3 percent of [GDP], one year ahead of schedule.”
While GDP growth held up well in Indonesia last year, in stark contrast to the significant slowdown logged in many developed and some emerging economies, the country was not left unscathed as global inflation accelerated. Consumer prices jumped, particularly in September 2022, when the government hiked subsidized fuel prices to alleviate pressure on the state budget. “Inflation peaked at almost 6 percent in September, way above the central bank’s 4 percent inflation ceiling,” the report states, although it notes that inflation has been moderating since and is “projected to fall to about 3.5 percent by December and to average 4.2 percent in 2023”.
Beyond the short term, the ADB report states that “a concern for the medium- to long-term is that earnings losses by workers and learning losses by children during the pandemic could reduce potential growth”. The ADB was established in 1966 and is owned by 68 member countries, including 49 from Asia and the Pacific. Its assessment for Indonesia comes just days after the World Bank published a statement saying that it anticipated growth in Indonesia and other countries in the region, aside from China, ” to be moderate”.

April 4, 2023, The Jakarta Post
(https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2023/04/04/adb-lowers-indonesias-growth-forecast-for-2023-2024)

Failed to Hold the U-20 World Cup, Indonesia Suffered Losses and Domino Effects

Indonesia canceled to host the U-20 World Cup 2023. This was conveyed by FIFA through its official website on Wednesday (29/3) yesterday. This suddenly made football lovers in Indonesia disappointed. In fact, this is one of the international events that have been awaited since 2021 but was forced to be postponed to 2023 because of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Indonesia itself has also made all preparations for the event. The trillions of rupiah have been disbursed for the big event.

According to Yoyok Sukawi, PSSI Executive Committee, said that the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) requested a funding of around IDR 400 billion for the implementation of the 2021 World Cup U-20 which was postponed to the U-20 2023 World Cup. Then, in June 2022, additional Funds of IDR 3 trillion, which amounting to IDR 500 billion is used in preparation for the U-20 World Cup.

In addition, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) in 2020 said that the stadium renovation project for the U-20 World Cup requires funds of around IDR 400 billion with a scheme in the plural contract (MYC), so the allocation was carried out in 2020 and 2021. And this year, the Ministry of PUPR has disbursed funds of IDR 175 billion for the revitalization of the stadium that will be used for the U-20 2023 World Cup event. Spend around IDR 1.4 trillion.

National tourism observer, Taufan Rahmadi said in the tourism sector, Indonesia would lose 50 thousand tourists who watched the event. Indonesia suffered a big loss by failing to host the U-20 World Cup. Especially in terms of tourism, because it is certain that foreign tourists who will watch the event will not come to Indonesia.

With the cancellation of the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia, the potential loss will also be felt by the hospitality. The cancellation of the arrival of 50,000 foreign tourists will certainly make hotels in the city that became the U-20 World Cup venue did not get income. The potential loss from the failure of Indonesia to hold the U-20 World Cup will also spread and present domino effects to other industries such as culinary, MSMEs and transportation which will certainly lose the potential income from the world class event.

“With the failure to be the host of the U-20 World Cup, Indonesia will lose the potential of foreign exchange, both at the center or in the area of the number of spectators who are expected to reach more than 1.2 million people,” concluded Taufan.

March 30, 2023, detikFinance and detikTravel

(https://travel.detik.com/travel-news/d-6646926/gila-gagal-gelar-piala-dunia-u-20-indonesia-bakal-kehilangan-50-ribu-wisman)

(https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-6647435/menghitung-boncosnya-ri-dari-batalnya-jadi-tuan-rumah-piala-dunia-u-20)

PT Freeport Indonesia Speeds Up IDR 45 Trillion Smelter Project Will Produce 52 Tons of Gold Bars per Year

PT Freeport Indonesia is speeding up the construction of a purification facility (smelter) in Gresik, East Java. This smelter is planned to start operating in May 2024. The smelter project is located in the Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate (JIIPE) industrial area. The Freeport smelter project occupies an area of 100 hectares (ha). The capital expenditure or capital expenditure for this project is US$ 3 billion or around IDR 45 trillion (exchange rate of IDR 15,000). The budget includes the construction of precious metal refinery (PMR) facilities. Some products will be produced from these facilities, among others, copper cathodes, gold and silver bars, and Platinum Group Metals (PGM). The following facts:

1. Production of 52 tons of gold bars per year

PT Freeport Indonesia’s Technical Affairs and Smelting Project Support Manager, Erika Silva said the smelter will produce 600,000 tons per year of copper cathodes. Then, the smelter will produce a side product in the form of 6,000 tons of anode mud per year. The anode mud is then purified through PMR which produces several products such as 52 tons of gold, 210 tons silver, 0.03 tons platinum, 0.375 tons paladium, 285 tons selenium, 220 tons bismut, and 2,200 tons of lead.

“The gold bar product is around 50 tons per year, the company is around 200 tons,” he said at Jiipe Gresik, East Java, Wednesday (3/29/2023).

2. Will be purchased by PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam)

For gold, his party is conducting a discussion with PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam) to absorb the product. Then, it will also conduct explorators for bullion banks or gold banks.

“For the gold that will be produced by the PMR, it is also being intense discussion with Antam to offer our gold take. “Then Bullion Bank, Bullion Bank, this plan will be planned from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs whether later we will cooperate with Bank Indonesia, we still do not know in detail, but this is also still being explored,” he explained.

3. Smelter progress 56%

The progress of the construction of copper and PMR smelters reached 56.5% as of February 2023. The project was targeted to be completed in December 2023.

“In terms of progress progress, our physical total progress is at 56.5% of the 56.5% plan means we match the target,” he said. Pre commissioning and commissioning were carried out until the end of May 2024. Then, the smelter was targeted to start operations at the end of May 2024.

“Starting in May we will be run up until hopefully it will be fully operational at the end of 2024 or early 2025,” he said.

March 30, 2023, detikFinance

(https://finance.detik.com/energi/d-6644642/freeport-kebut-proyek-smelter-rp-45-t-di-gresik-begini-penampakannya)

(https://finance.detik.com/energi/d-6645486/smelter-freeport-bakal-produksi-emas-batangan-52-tontahun-ini-3-faktanya)

PT Telkom Indonesia Achieved Operation Net Profit of IDR 25.86 trillion in 2022

PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk managed to close the 2022 financial year with a satisfactory performance. The issuer with the ticker code TLKM succeeded in posting a net operating profit of IDR 25.86 trillion, a growth of 7.7% compared to the same period the previous year. The profit earned was supported by consolidated revenue, which was recorded at IDR 147.31 trillion and grew by 2.9% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the company’s EBITDA was recorded at IDR 78.99 trillion, or 4.3% YoY. “Thank God, Telkom can close 2022 with quite satisfactory results, both from the aspect of financial and operational performance. The achievement of this performance is the output of the company Telkom, Ririek Adriansyah in a written statement, Saturday (3/26/2023).

In the mobile segment, Telkomsel, as a subsidiary of Telkom, managed to record revenue of IDR 89.04 trillion, growing 1.8% from the same period last year. Digital Business is a contributor to performance growth, with a contribution of 81.9% of total revenue. This segment grew positively by 6.9% YoY to IDR 72.93 trillion compared to the same period in 2021. Telkomsel served 156.8 million customers with payload data that grew positively up to 18.7% YoY to 16,426,853 TB and payload consumption touching 11,962 MB per data service user or growing 16.1% YoY. Telkomsel officially became the winner of the 2.1 GHz frequency auction from the Ministry of Communication and Informatics in November 2022.

            In the consumer segment, IndiHome’s revenue reached IDR 28.0 trillion, or 6.4% growth from the same period last year, with a contribution of 19.0% of the company’s total income and EBITDA, which was stable in the range of 50%. The 90% of Indihome’s revenue is contributed by its customers and the rest of the enterprise segment. IndiHome closed 2022 with customer growth of 7.1% from the end of last year to 9.2 million customers, 63% of whom were dual-play customers and 37% were triple-play customers.

            Meanwhile, the wholesale and international segment revenue grew 8.3% yoy to IDR 15.4 trillion, contributed growth in the international wholesale sound service business and digital infrastructure business. In the tower business, Mitratel, as a subsidiary of Telkom, also successfully confirmed its position as the largest tower company in Southeast Asia based on telecommunications tower ownership, through ownership of 35,418 tower units with a tenancy ratio of 1.47x. Mitratel posted an income of IDR 7.7 trillion, which grew 12.5% yoy, which was mainly driven by the acquisition of tower rental. EBITDA and company net profit throughout 2022 grew positively by 18.5% and 29.3%, respectively.

March 26, 2023, CNBC Indonesia

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/market/20230326114700-17-424535/telkom-sukses-cetak-laba-bersih-operasi-rp-2586-t-di-2022)

Indonesian Company Ready to Export Electricity to Singapore

A number of Indonesian energy companies are now planning to build a Solar Power Plant (PLTS), apart from contributing to encouraging new renewable energy (EBT) in the country, this is also an opportunity for companies to be able to export their electricity to Singapore. This is because the Government of Singapore has submitted a request for electricity from Indonesia. Singapore said that electricity that can be imported from Indonesia must come from new renewable energy sources, one of which is solar power plants. Not only are they planning to build PLTS, but a number of these Indonesian companies are even preparing to build a solar panel industry in the country. This is in accordance with the instructions of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Luhut said that Indonesian companies could export electricity to Singapore, as long as the domestic solar panel industry was built first.

            “Regarding them (Singapore), there is a solar panel export from Indonesia, and Singapore. But we don’t want to be like that, we want to end to end. We must build a diesel panel here for the industry, then the battery, and so on. Then we export it to Singapore, so it’s win-win, “he said, quoted on Thursday (03/16/2023).

            As a follow-up to the Coordinating Minister for Luhut’s order, a number of Indonesian energy companies agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of new, renewable energy (EBT), and the supply chain for solar panels or Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Energy Storage Systems ( SPEB) in Indonesia. The signing of this MoU also involved several PV and battery manufacturers (Original Equipment Manufacturer/OEM).

The Indonesian energy companies that signed the MoU include PT Adaro Clean Energy Indonesia (Adaro Green), PT Medco Power Indonesia (Medco Power), and PT Energi Baru TBS (New Energi). The three Indonesian energy companies also signed an MoU with PV and Battery Manufacturing manufacturers (OEMs) from home and abroad, including PT Utomo Juragan Road Surya Indonesia, Longi Solar Technology Co. Ltd., Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd., PT Huawei Tech Investment, and Rect Battero Energy Co. Ltd.

This cooperation is part of the company’s commitment to support the government in achieving the Net Zero Emission target through the acceleration of the development of the National Solar Panel Industry for the development of EBT in Indonesia.

Previously, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in the Joint Press Statement with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in Jakarta on Thursday (03/16/2023), conveyed the issue of sustainability, where there was a lot of potential in the green economy sector. Thus, Indonesia and Singapore signed a collaboration on renewable energy. It will also strengthen energy infrastructure, energy transitions, and energy security for Singapore, including supporting regional initiatives such as ASEAN electricity networks.

March 17, 2023, CNBC Indonesia

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20230317121023-4-422553/dikawal-luhut-perusahaan-ri-siap-ekspor-listrik-ke-singapura)

F1PowerBoat Proves Lake Toba Deserves to Hold an International Event

The Lake Toba PowerBoat Formula 1 Motorboat World Championship (F1H20) was successfully held in Balige, North Sumatra on 24-26 February 2023. Said the Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno, this is proof that this destination is suitable to be the location for various international events.
“The implementation of this event marks the readiness of Lake Toba. So if anyone doubts Lake Toba as the host of a world-class event, we can break this (assumption), said Menparekraf Sandiaga in a press conference after playing the F1PowerBoat race at the F1PowerBoat Media Center located at the Harbor His Majesty King Napitupulu, Balige, Sunday (26/2/2023).
Sandiaga said that the implementation of the F1PowerBoat on Lake Toba also proved that Lake Toba was able to put forward the concept of environmental sustainability. In addition, the implementation of the F1PowerBoat has also succeeded in driving the economy of the people around the Lake Toba area, especially in Balige. Based on the data he obtained, Sandiaga said the total economic impact from the implementation of the F1PowerBoat was estimated to reach IDR 300 billion with a target of visiting up to 25 thousand tourists. In the future, Sandiaga said that his party would increase the presence of international-class events on Lake Toba, starting from film festivals to world music festivals.
“So this event will trigger more activity and investment (in Lake Toba) so that we can revive the economy and open up business and employment opportunities,” said Sandiaga.
In addition, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Angela Tanoesoedibjo said the PowerBoat Formula 1 Motorboat World Championship (F1H20) was able to provide a multiplier effect for the surrounding community. F1 Powerboat itself is enjoyed by 180 million pairs of eyes through various media including social media, broadcasting, and so on. Through the most prestigious motorboat racing event in the world, Lake Toba is expected to become an international conversation.
In this racing series, a racer from Stromoy Racing, Bartek Marszalek won first place after bulldozing the 2.2 km circuit for 18 laps. With this result, Marszalek is entitled to 20 points which is an important capital to wade through the next seven rounds in the 2023 F1 Powerboat season.

February 27, 2023, detikTravel
(https://travel.detik.com/travel-news/d-6590888/f1powerboat-jadi-bukti-danau-toba-layak-gelar-event-internasional)
(https://travel.detik.com/travel-news/d-6591338/ini-multi-efek-f1h2o-bagi-masyarakat-danau-toba)

Indonesia Exports 1,502 Tons of Swallow’s Nest Throughout 2022 Value Translucent IDR 23 Trillion

Swallow’s nest (SBW) is one of the commodities exported by Indonesia. Throughout 2022, Indonesia has exported 1,502 tons of swallow’s nest to various countries. Head of the Center for Animal Quarantine and Animal Biosafety, Wisnu Wasesa Putra, said that throughout 2022, the export value of swallow’s nests will reach around IDR 23 trillion.
“We are in the range of IDR 23 trillion. Maybe a clarification, yes. At that time, the Minister of Trade said that the SBW (export value) was up to IDR 500 trillion, that was huge,” he said after a press conference at the Ministry of Agriculture Building, South Jakarta, Wednesday (23 /2/2023).
For information, China is one of the biggest export destinations for swallow’s nests (SBW) for Indonesia. As of December 2022, Indonesia exported 19% or around 288 thousand kilograms (kg) of swiftlet nests to China. However, it is not only China that is the export destination for swallow nests. There are 23 other export destination countries.
“Currently besides China there are 23 destination countries for SBW. And indeed our challenge at this time is to convince ethnic Chinese even though they are in America, in Australia. For Asian markets, the highest exports are to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia. (Swallow’s nest) some are consumed in that country and some are exported back to China,” said Wisnu.
The ten largest SBW export destinations as of October 2022, namely: Hong Kong: 596,994 kg, China: 223,285 kg, Vietnam: 193,038 kg, Malaysia: 39,593 kg, Singapore: 36,741 kg, United States: 24,168 kg, Taiwan: 7,430 kg, Australia: 2106 kg, Canada: 1655 kg, France: 217 kg.

February 22, 2023, detikFinance
(https://finance.detik.com/industri/d-6582400/ri-ekspor-sarang-burung-walet-1502-ton-sepanjang-2022-nilainya-tembus-rp-23-t)

History! Indonesia Exports Electric Vehicles to International Markets

PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) made history by conducting the first export of hybrid cars. Not only that, when it comes to electrification vehicles, TMMIN is also the first to export. Previously, cars exported by TMMIN and other manufacturers to foreign countries still carried conventional fuel. The Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix hybrid adds to the long list of Toyota cars ‘made’ in Indonesia that has penetrated foreign countries. The electrified car made in Karawang has finally penetrated the international market.
“Electrified vehicles are part of Toyota Indonesia’s export expansion target going forward, starting with exports of locally produced hybrid vehicles. Today, the first export shipment of hybrid vehicles of the Innova Zenix type was realized,” said Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in his official statement.
For the first phase, the Kijang Innova Zenix ‘made’ in Karawang will penetrate the Middle East and South America. In 2023, TMMIN targets to export more than 8,000 Kijang Innova Zenix with a composition of 30% HEV type and 70% internal combustion engine (ICE) type to countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. It is hoped that Innova Zenix’s exports will continue to increase from year to year with a target of 17,000 units in 2025 for hybrid and conventional types.
“The first export of the Kijang Innova Zenix would not have been possible without the full support of the Government of Indonesia, strong partnerships from our entire supply chain including small and medium industries (IKM), and community support. Hopefully, we can contribute even more so that we can together grow and increase global competitiveness to meet the development of the Indonesian and global automotive industry,” said TMMIN President Director Warih Andang Tjahjono.
Jokowi appreciates that manufacturers can increase sales of cars and motorcycles in the country. However, according to Jokowi, the increase in sales has exacerbated the congestion. Reflecting on this fact, Jokowi encouraged car and motorcycle manufacturers in Indonesia to strengthen the national export market. Because, by doing so, sales will remain large, but will not have an impact on traffic jams.
“Therefore, the automotive industry will be encouraged to enter the export market. The export market will also add value to foreign exchange and continue to be driven by a large ecosystem from upstream to downstream for electric cars,” Jokowi said.

February 21, 2023, detikOto
(https://oto.detik.com/mobil/d-6580441/sejarah-ri-ekspor-kendaraan-listrik-kirim-innova-zenix-hybrid-ke-pasar-internasional)

Jokowi Sets a Record for Passing the Achievements of 5 Indonesian Presidents

The current account set a new record this year. For the first time in 42 years, Indonesia’s current account recorded a surplus of US$ 13.22 billion. When compared with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the current account this year is equivalent to 1% of GDP. This record is the best since 2009 (1.97% of GDP). In the fourth quarter of 2022, the current account touched US$ 4.27 billion or 1.3% of GDP.
The impressive record for the current account was supported by a surge in exports. The Russo-Ukrainian war that erupted almost a year ago soared energy and food commodity prices. Indonesia also has a windfall due to the soaring prices of coal, crude palm oil (CPO), and nickel. Exports of goods were recorded at US$ 292.55 billion in 2022 while imports were recorded at US$ 229.87 billion. Thus, the goods export-import balance recorded a surplus of US$ 62.68 billion. The amount of this export makes the current account balance fattening.
The current account remained swollen even though the service import-export balance recorded a large deficit of US$ 20.04 billion. This value has increased dramatically compared to 2021 which was recorded at US$ 14.6 billion. The big record in the current account also reaffirms Indonesia’s heavy dependence on commodities.
In Indonesia’s history, only four times has Indonesia been able to record a current account surplus of more than US$ 10 billion, namely in 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2022. When compared to GDP, Indonesia’s current account also recorded a high surplus during the commodity boom (2005-2010). The current account in 2006 was recorded at 2.98% of GDP, in 2007 it was recorded at 2.43%, and in 2009 it was recorded at 1.97% of GDP.
These periods were the times when Indonesia experienced a windfall due to the commodity boom. Preferably, when commodities fall, the current account will fall or be in deficit. An example is from 2013-2019. The average current account has indeed penetrated 4.16% in the 1998-2003 period. However, the high current account is due more to the small imports. The uncertain economic situation after the collapse of the New Order and the beginning of the Reform Era meant that the pace of the economy was not moving fast enough and that imports slumped.

February 20, 2023, CNBC Indonesia
(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/market/20230220154434-17-415335/soal-ini-jokowi-cetak-rekor-lewati-capaian-5-presiden-ri)