Indonesia Highlights: US Extends Indonesia’s GSP Status | 2 Regions to Increase Minimum Wage in 2021 | The Return of Herbal Drinks

KOMPAS.com – Bad weather caused power outages across parts of Jakarta, Indonesia, and surrounding towns while an exodus of travelers made their way back to the capital city.

Indonesia’s Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir has apologized for the power outage that affected residents in Jakarta and satellite towns such as Bogor and Bekasi.

State-Owned Enterprise, State Electricity Company worked to restore power since Sunday afternoon.

After a long holiday that began on Wednesday, many Indonesians are returning to Jakarta filling up public transportation services and roads across various regions.

The holiday has brought welcoming news for Indonesia’s tourism sector as people visited tourist attractions and helped boost sales of transportation companies.

This week has been a much-needed breeze for Indonesian citizens amid an epidemic that has infected 412,784 people nationwide as of today.

More important news about Indonesia on Sunday are highlighted below:

ANTARA FOTO/GALIH PRADIPTA Menteri Luar Negeri Amerika Serikat Michael Pompeo mengenakan masker saat hadir dalam dialog dengan GP Ansor di Jakarta, Kamis (29/10/2020). ANTARA FOTO/Galih Pradipta*** Local Caption *** Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

1. US Extends Indonesia’s GSP Status

Following the recent visit of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi announced that the US has extended Indonesia’s generalized system of preferences (GSP) status.

The US’ GSP for Indonesia removes duties on thousands of goods such as manufactured and semi-manufactured products, and goods from the agricultural, fisheries, and primary industries.

In 2019, Indonesian exports using the GSP facility reached $2.61 billion of 13.1 percent of the country’s total exports to the US.

Between January to August 2020, Indonesian exports using the GSP facility totaled $1.87 billion, up 10.6 percent year-on-year.

Retno Marsudi shared that Indonesia’s GSP status extension was welcome news given the US’ importance as a trade partner. The partnership is expected to boost Indonesia-US trade activities.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/11/01/14530091/pemerintah-as-perpanjang-pembebasan-tarif-bea-masuk-untuk-indonesia?page=all#page2 

KOMPAS.com/KRISTIANTO PURNOMO Buruh bongkar muat di Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa, Jakarta, Selasa (31/7/2018). Buruh sektor informal adalah pekerja yang paling gampang terpapar berbagai risiko. Sayangnya, mereka juga merupakan kelompok yang paling tidak terlindungi.

2. Central Java and Yogyakarta to Increase Minimum Wage Rates in 2021