In a bid to boost tourism around Lake Toba, the Government is planning to take over abandoned or unused concession land to transform it into a world-class tourist destination, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said. “We will take over 148 thousand hectares of concession land. I have ordered the regent, governor to reforest it, partly […]

Indonesian Government is committed to ensuring the sustainability of palm oil industry in Indonesia, despite many challenges.  A number of steps have been and will continue to be taken to maintain the industry. “The palm oil sector has been proven to be able to improve people’s welfare and reduce poverty,” said Coordinating Minister for the […]

After visiting several locations in Samosir Regency during his working visit to North Sumatra Province, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expressed hope that Lake Toba tourist destination spots can be promoted next year. “Though the development of several locations has started, (the promotion) is expected can be done next year once the development of all spots […]

In order to support tourism development in villages near Lake Toba, the Government through Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing will rehabilitate a number of ‘Ruma Gorga’, traditional Batak Samosir houses that are old and in bad condition. “We will rehabilitate around 40 houses as a response to the hope of local people to […]

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has urged a number of high-ranking officials to stop forest fires that are currently raging in six provinces on the island of Sumatra and in the province of Kalimantan. “I have instructed the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Commander of the National Defense Forces (TNI), and Chief of the National Police […]

In a bid to establish Indonesia’s universities as part of the world top 100 universities, Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education M. Nasir has planned to hire foreign chancellors to lead selected State Universities. “(We will challenge the foreign chancellors) whether they can improve the ranking of (selected universities) to the top 200 in […]

The Indonesia Government is striving for inclusion of the Caldera Toba Geopark in UNESCO Global Geopark list. “That is the job of Governor, Regent, and related ministries (to push for the plan),” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said when visiting the Caldera Toba in Samosir Regency, North Sumatra province, Wednesday (31/7).

On the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi on Tuesday (31/7) met with China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi to discuss measures to tackle human trafficking using ‘mail-order bride’ modus operandi. On that occasion, Retno underlined the importance to resolve and prevent it from recurring […]

The Government is committed to improving Lake Toba tourist destination area and its surrounding areas since it has the potential to become a world-class tourist destination, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said. “We will manage tourist destinations in stages starting this year, including Ulos Village,” the President told reporters after visiting the Indigenous Village and ulos (traditional […]

The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has published investment data for the second quarter of 2019 with a total investment of Rp200.5 trillion, a 13.7 percent increase over the same period last year. The investment realization value in the second quarter reached 25.3 percent of the investment target in 2019 (Rp792.0 trillion).