Indonesia to spend nearly 32 billion USD on post-pandemic social protection
The Indonesian Government plans to spend 476 trillion Rp (31.8 billion USD) on social assistance protection as the country is transitioning from the COVID-19 pandemic to the endemic disease phase.
People shop for food at a market in Aceh - westernmost province of Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesian government plans tospend 476 trillion Rpಌ (31.8 billion USD) on social assistance protectionas the country is transitioning from the COVID-19 pandemic to the endemic disease phase.
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo said that hisgovernment will not abruptly revoke the massive spending on social programmesaimed at helping the people and businesses cope with the devastating economicimpact of the pandemic over the last three years. Speaking at a recent meeting of the National Committee forCOVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery (PC-PEN), Joko Widodo said thatafter lifting restrictions at the end of 2022, Indonesia is in an interim phasein which it must maintain caution, especially in deciding on economic measures. In contrast to other nations that have recently experienced high inflation, according to the President, Indonesia has effectively demonstrated tenacitythrough 2022 with economic growth of 5.72% in the third quarter of 2022compared to the same period in the previous year. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said the 476trillion Rp budget will be used to fundvarious social programmes such as affordable staple food supplies, cashassistance for low-income families, and job creation. To preserve people's purchasing power during the transitionphase and to safeguard the underprivileged and other vulnerable groups, thegovernment will continue to carry out this initiative. Indonesia’ government also allocates 178.7 trillion Rp for healthcare programmes to be channeledthrough the Health Ministry, the Drug and Food Supervisory Agency (BPOM), andthe National Population and Family Planning Agency./.
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said that the country, as the ASEAN chair this year, aims to push for more concrete and inclusive cooperation among countries in the region.
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), which is chairing the 2023 ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), is about to introduce seven legacy breakthroughs on five priority issues during the country’s ASEAN chairmanship this year.
Indonesia plans to produce 695 million tonnes and export 518 million tonnes of coal this year, said Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif.
In his article, Oscar Sanchez Serra highlighted President Ho Chi Minh’s founding of the Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper on June 21, 1925, which marked the birth of Vietnam's revolutionary press rooted in a bold and far-sighted vision.
Several ASEAN meetings are scheduled to take place in Port Dickson this September, including the Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) for ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the 15th ASEAN Maritime Forum, and the 13th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum.
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered the urgent implementation of a national policy to crack down on all forms of call centre scams, online fraud, and illegal gambling, which are now considered threats to national security.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and EAEU Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev jointly declared the conclusion of FTA talks on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025), according to the statement.
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
People shop for food at a market in Aceh - westernmost province of Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
