Indonesia's accession to BRICS is expected to significantly enhance its economic growth, said an Indonesian expert on Wednesday after the announcement of the country’s membership. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday issued a statement, hailing its full BRICS membership and emphasizing the country's commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable global order through multilateral cooperation. Its statement came after Brazil, as the BRICS chair this year, announced one day earlier the official entry of Indonesia as a full member into BRICS. Mohammad Faisal, executive director of Indonesia's Center of Reform on Economics, expressed optimism about the potential benefits. "The new government has set an ambitious economic growth target of eight percent. Joining BRICS will provide a significant impetus to achieve the goal. It needs Indonesia to make extraordinary efforts, particularly in attracting investments. While Indonesia has already attracted substantial investment inflows, there is still room for further growth," he said. Faisal said that collabration with BRICS members like China will bring more trade opportunities, foreign investments and technologies to Indonesia, promoting the sound development of the country's domestic economic ecosystem. He said BRICS countries can expand their collabration into new areas through the integration and complementarity of their strengths. "Looking ahead, the Indonesian government plans to further develop downstream industries, as well as agriculture, plant cultivation, fishery, livestock farming, and forestry. This will create more opportunities for collabration with China, extending beyond current partnerships in infrastructure and nickel smelting to more areas," said Faisal.
Joining BRICS to help boost Indonesia's economic growth: expert
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
