AmCham Update
AmCham Update Vol. 2 #17
Tourism in a Time of Crisis, Virus on Arrival, Young Professionals, Helping Mangroves
Feb 23, 2021 | AmCham Indonesia

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AmCham & Sandi Talk Tourism and the Pandemic

AmCham Indonesia held a virtual discussion with the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno on Feb 22. Sandiaga, the former Jakarta Lt. Governor and Gerindra Vice Presidential candidate, is a good friend of many AmCham members and has met with the chamber on several occasions over the years.

The session opened with updates on the tourism industry in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has undoubtedly dealt a devastating blow to the industry, he said, but he expects it to steadily revive. To this end, he spoke of a number of strategies, such as introducing travel corridors with other countries and granting social aid to help small players survive.

Although the Ministry is battling to revive tourism, it is also focusing on supporting government efforts to reduce the surging number of COVID-19 cases. Sandiaga said he has been working very closely with the Ministry of Health, the COVID-19 National Task Force, and other agencies in promoting compliance with health protocols. The tourism industry has contributed by providing accommodation and quarantine centers for health workers and COVID-19 patients.

The discussion continued with a question and answer session on a number of other issues such as plastic waste, AmCham’s desire to see stronger remediation efforts directed against the pandemic, and so forth. 


Mysterious Virus on Arrival despite Tests

COVID-19 Task Force head Doni Monardo has confirmed 1,214 foreigners and Indonesian nationals have become infected with COVID-19 after traveling from abroad, despite obtaining negative test results before departing their countries of origin. The Task Force and the Ministry of Health are investigating whether they contracted the virus before or during their flights. Monardo said the infected arrivals came from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Related link:


Micro PPKM Extended to March 8

Micro community activity restrictions (PPKM) have been extended to March 8 from the initial deadline of Feb 22, as not all villages and regencies have been vigorously enforcing activity restrictions. National Committee for COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery data shows not all regions have implemented the zoning policy and reported it to the COVID-19 Task Force. Currently, there are 25 districts (Kabupaten) and cities designated as red zones with high transmission rates.

Related link:


2021 Public Leave Shortened to 2 Days

The government has released a Joint Decision Letter regarding National Holidays and Public Leave in 2021, cutting the number of public leave days from seven to only two. The retained days are May 12 (for Eid Al-Fitr) and December 24 (for Christmas). Coordinating Minister of Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said the decision was taken because the pandemic situation in Indonesia has not improved, citing high mobility during holidays as a factor.

Related links:


AmCham Cares: AGS Indonesia

In partnership with the French NGO Planète Urgence, AGS Indonesia, the local representative of the international logistics company, AGS Group, continues to support the reforestation of the Mahakam Delta on the island of Borneo. The delta’s mangrove forest plays a key role in regulating climate, thanks to its carbon storage capacities. On a local level, it also forms a barrier against tropical storms, tsunamis, and rising sea levels.

Regrettably, some 70 percent of the Mahakam ecosystem has been damaged, largely due to the installation of unsustainable aquaculture ponds. Marine resources in the area have declined, increasing the vulnerability of coastal communities that rely on fishing activities for their income.

With continued financial support from the AGS Group, Planète Urgence has been conserving and restoring the Mahakam Delta mangrove forests since 2017. In that time the organization has planted more than one million trees. The project also supports local families by providing skills and financial resources to develop a sustainable aquaculture industry.


Young & Professional? We Have a Plan

AmCham Indonesia’s Young Professionals Committee held its first meeting of the year virtually on Feb 22, sponsored by The Kuningan SuitesTurkuaz, and Warung Turki.

Opening the meeting, committee chair Calvin Ray introduced AmCham to newcomers and participants introduced themselves. The meeting then moved to gather ideas regarding the types of events members want to see the committee held in 2021.

Calvin said he was interested in retail investment, and other ideas included talks on content creation and how to start a business, especially during the pandemic, and a fun virtual activity with a similar vibe to the committee’s signature Amazing Big Durian Race, which is grounded due to the pandemic.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), data collection, and presentation models, along with digital entrepreneurship were also brought up by participants, noting how the pandemic has introduced many news ways these things can impact our daily lives. Another proposal focused on customer protection in online purchasing, privacy issues, and licensing and branding.

The meeting ended by spinning the wheel of fortune, with door prizes from our sponsors The Kuningan Suites, Turkuaz, and Warung Turki. We would like to congratulate the winners:

  • The Kuningan Suites (voucher for one night worth Rp 2,5 million), Fabiola Rossy Christina of Januar Jahja & Partners
  • Turkuaz (voucher worth Rp 1 million), Cynthia Duhita Arsani
  • Warung Turki (voucher worth Rp 1 million), Milind Gadre of Vision-Ease Asia.

Support Independent Journalism: Subscribe to The Jakarta Post

In these difficult times, our hometown English language newspaper, The Jakarta Post, is more important than ever. Given the difficulties of physical circulation and the economic slump, the Post needs to boost its online subscribers – a goal we heartily support at AmCham Indonesia. Quality English language news is vital for our businesses, our home offices and the flow of information out of Indonesia. It is for this reason, that we are urging all of our members and readers to subscribe to JP! Information is what will help get us through this crisis. Below is information about how to sign up.

JP Premium Digital Subscription Packages

https://www.thejakartapost.com/packages

Monthly subscription – Rp 50,000

Yearly subscription – Rp 600,000


We Still Need Your Support to Shelter the Front Line

AmCham Indonesia and Habitat for Humanity have joined forces in an initiative called Sheltering Those Who Care for Us, a program to provide temporary quarters in hotels for Indonesian medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our program has helped not only medical workers in Jakarta, but also Tangerang and Surabaya; we are now planning to expand to Sulawesi.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still spreading, medical workers are working a lot harder than before. In these difficult times, they often cannot go back home for fear of infecting family members or being rejected by their local communities. As a result, they are forced to sleep in hospitals without a proper bed, also increasing the possibility of getting infected.

By donating, we will increase the overall capability of Indonesia to treat COVID-19. Habitat will match individual hospitals with hotels on an as-needed basis.

Your support is needed more than ever.

PROJECT REPORT - PHASE 1

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FLYER ON HOW TO DONATE


Now is the Time to Join AmCham!

Now is the Time to Join AmCham!

We offer a full slate of meetings, events, and information for our community online. 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!

JOIN AMCHAM

 


AmCham Office and Events

AmCham Office and Events

The AmCham Office is on work from home status and all face-to-face meetings and events have been postponed. We are having a number of meetings online using the Zoom platform. You will be notified of virtual meetings as they are scheduled.

 

 


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What is Your Company Doing on COVID-19?

Please let us know what measures your company may be taking in the form of donations and other assistance to help Indonesia during this time of confusion and concern. Contact [email protected] with your news. We would like to publicize the ways that our AmCham companies are pitching in.


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 is the Managing Editor

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