Several regions in Indonesia to host G20 side events

Jakarta, January 22 (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s 2022 G20 Presidency will focus on local wisdom, as an added value, to improve the economy of regions throughout the country, Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi has said. Thus, G20 side events will be held in a number of areas to promote the nation’s cultural diversity, tourism, and investment potential, he informed. “The G20 side events must be a showcase of the positive image of Indonesia’s progress and culture," he remarked in a statement released here on Friday. It is expected that the implementation of the side events in a number of regions in Indonesia would stimulate the people's economy and expedite national economic recovery, the minister said. According to the plan, there will be 121 side events from December 2021 to November 2022, he noted. They will take place in various locations in Indonesia, including the five Super-Priority Tourism Destinations (DPSP) of Lake Toba (North Sumatra province), Borobudur Temple (Central Java province), Mandalika Area (West Nusa Tenggara province), Labuan Bajo Village (East Nusa Tenggara province), and Manado-Likupang Area (North Sulawesi province), Lutfi informed. Furthermore, other areas will also host side events, such as Jakarta, Bali, Bintan (Riau Islands province), Batu (East Java province), Bogor (West Java province), Sorong (West Papua province), Surabaya (East Java province), and Makassar (South Sulawesi province), he said. In addition, Palembang (South Sumatra province), Belitung (Bangka Belitung Islands province), Solo (Central Java province), Banjarmasin (South Kalimantan province), and Pontianak (West Kalimantan province) will be venues for side events, he added. The minister said he hoped that the G20 side events would showcase the superiority of Indonesian local products. "We are optimistic that all of the side events will be carried out well and have an impact on improving the regional economy," he added. Earlier, President Joko Widodo had expressed the hope that preparations for Indonesia’s G20 Presidency would not only focus on the implementation of the event, but also have a positive impact on national and global socio-economic recovery.