Gov’t to Launch Sports Visa This Year
The government plans to launch a sports visa this year, Director General of Immigration Silmy Karim said on March 5, to help foreigners attend sporting events in Indonesia and boost tourism revenue. The sports visa will be launched within 100 working days.
Indonesia has hosted an increasing number of international sporting events in the last few years. In 2022, it hosted Formula E and MotoGP races, and this year is set to host a World Superbike race, the U-20 FIFA World Cup, and another MotoGP race.
Related links:
- https://indonesiaexpat.id/news/indonesia-to-launch-sports-visa-to-boost-sports-tourism-in-2023/
- https://voi.id/en/sports/259970
Trade Ministry Issues Import Permits Ahead of Ramadhan
The Ministry of Trade has issued import permits for essential commodities, including sugar, beef, rice, garlic, soybeans, and chicken meat, to accommodate increasing demand ahead of Ramadhan. Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan said the supply of these commodities will be enough to meet domestic demand.
The prices of some staple commodities, including sugar, oil, salt, and shallots, have been rising in recent weeks, so the import permits are intended to alleviate price fluctuations.
The Indonesian Market Traders Association (IKAPPI) said institutions such as the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) and the National Food Agency (BPN) have not optimally carried out their responsibilities to maintain stable food prices.
Related links:
- https://katadata.co.id/tiakomalasari/berita/640711a297685/persiapan-ramadan-mendag-keluarkan-izin-impor-gula-hingga-kedelai
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/ekonomi/20230223175028-92-917087/kemendag-bakal-pantau-kenaikan-harga-pangan-jelang-ramadhan
AmCham Cares: ExxonMobil
Through Rumah Disabilitas Bojonegoro (RBD), ExxonMobil Cepu Limited is helping people with disabilities in Bojonegoro and Tuban. This program gives people with disabilities the opportunity to build skills in the creation of valuable products.
RDB is a place for people with disabilities in Bojonegoro and Soko District, Tuban, to be empowered in order to achieve economic and social independence. It was founded in 2021 by people with disabilities from various backgrounds.
The community works to produce economically valuable products. At least 51 disabled people run joint businesses selling processed cassava flour (mocaf) and corn rice products through the program.
There is also a crochet training program initiated by Exxon and SKK Migas called PRIMA that produces crochet crafts that are well-accepted by the market. One side benefit is that RDB boosts the spirits of people with disabilities to be more creative.
Chevron and Pertamina Collaborate on Carbon Capture and Storage
Pertamina and Chevron New Energies International have signed a joint study agreement (JSA) to examine the feasibility of carbon capture storage and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCS/CCUS) in East Kalimantan.
Attending the JSA signing were Pertamina's Senior Vice President for Research and Technology Oki Muraza, and Chris Powers, Vice President CCUS for Chevron New Energies. The signing was witnessed by Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif and SKK Migas Chair Dwi Soetjipto.
This is the second joint study agreement to come from the collaboration between Chevron and Pertamina announced in Washington, DC, in May 2022 to explore lower carbon business opportunities in Indonesia.
“We have partnered with Indonesia to help meet its energy needs for close to a century," said Powers. "This new joint study agreement builds momentum for our shared objectives of advancing Indonesia’s energy goals while pursuing a lower carbon future. We have a unique set of capabilities and a deep understanding of Indonesian geology to support the deployment of CCS/CCUS. Together, we can leverage our collective strengths to unlock new opportunities for Indonesia.”
|
2024 Election Dispute Continues
President Joko Widodo said he supports the Election Commission (KPU) appeal against the Central Jakarta District Court’s controversial ruling ordering a halt to all 2024 election preparations over procedural objections brought by a minor political party.
Saleh Alghifari from the Civil Society Alliance for Clean Elections said the panel of judges at the Jakarta court violated the code of ethics and rules of conduct for judges when it decided to delay the 2024 elections. He said the decision lacks professionalism and that election-related problems ought to be handled by the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) or the State Administrative Court (PTUN).
The court decree has reignited persistent discussions on extending President Widodo's term of office, despite him saying he is against the idea.
Related links:
- https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesia-leader-backs-election-body-appeal-against-court-ruling-calling-poll-2023-03-06/
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20230307071936-12-921772/pakar-hukum-jokowi-plin-plan-soal-wacana-tunda-pemilu-2024
- https://nasional.tempo.co/read/1699317/soal-putusan-penundaan-pemilu-2024-koalisi-masyarakat-sipil-sebut-hakim-lakukan-2-pelanggaran
Gov’t Electric Motorcycle Subsidy Starts March 20
The government will provide a Rp 7 million direct subsidy for electric motorcycles starting March 20, but a subsidy for automobiles has not been finalized. The target is to increase the annual purchase of electric motorcycles to 200,000 and electric cars to 35,900, and also convert 50,000 conventional motorcycles to electric this year.
Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers will need to meet at least 40 percent of local content to be able to receive the subsidy. So far, this bar has only been passed by three electric two-wheeler manufacturers, Gesits, Volta, and Selis. On the customer side, the subsidy is limited to one vehicle per KTP (ID card). The subsidy will also be prioritized for MSMEs, 450-900V electricity customers, and cheap credits recipients.
Said Abdullah, the head of the House of Representatives Budget Committee, previously said the government should focus on incentives for electric two-wheelers first. He supports the government’s Net-Zero emission initiative, but the policy should be well thought out and must consider other priorities in the already-allocated state budget for 2023.
Related links:
- https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2023/03/07/govt-earmarks-rp-1-75t-for-electric-two-wheelers-assistance.html
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/otomotif/20230307130306-603-921917/fakta-fakta-subsidi-motor-listrik-1-ktp-1-unit
- https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20221219165701-4-398234/jokowi-diminta-kaji-ulang-subsidi-mobil-listrik-rp-80-juta
Now is the Time to Join AmCham!
 |
We offer a full slate of meetings, events, and information for our community. But we can only do this through the support of our members. If you are not yet an AmCham member, please join now.
AmCham Indonesia is open to all companies with an interest in US business relations and we have many non-American members.
We are a community and we welcome you!
Reach us at [email protected] or click below!
Stay well
We urge you to send us press releases and other information that we can pass on to the broader AmCham community. If you have items of interest, please email material to [email protected]. Follow this link to information provided by the US Embassy
Stay safe, call a doctor if you have a high fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Stay healthy above all else.
AmCham Update is AmCham's regular newsletter on developments related to the pandemic crisis and other issues in Indonesia. It is edited by AmCham Managing Director A Lin Neumann and written by the AmCham Staff. Paul L Goddard
