Paragon Technology and Innovation (Paragon Corp), the parent company of renowned halal skincare brand for women Wardah, and Kahf for men, is excited to announce a collaboration with Garuda Indonesia Airlines to enhance the experience of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. Along with this partnership, the company is introducing a skincare special for Umrah & Hajj Packages, designed for those embarking on the sacred journey.

Carrying 400 pilgrims directly from Jakarta to Jeddah, Garuda Indonesia's Boeing 777 with flight number GA 980 took off on April 17, 2023. During the flight, the female passengers received an exclusive collaboration product, 'Journey of Soul' Umrah & Hajj package by Wardah and Kahf's 'Towards New Beginning' Umrah and Hajj package for the male passengers. Wardah's The Journey of Soul package comprises The Head-to-Toe Cleanser, Sun Shield, Intensive Moisturizer, Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, and Multipurpose Sanitizer. While the Towards New Beginning package by Kahf includes Refreshing Hair & Body Wash, Face Wash, Face & Body Sunscreen, Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, and Multipurpose Moisturizing Balm. Both packages will also contain a Zam-zam Spray Bottle, a guidebook for Umrah and Hajj, and each package will come in a pouch or a drawstring bag to carry conveniently.

These non-alcohol and non-fragrance products of Wardah and Kahf are carefully curated with natural ingredients and improved formulations to maintain moisturized, clean, and healthy skin in extreme weather and climate, ensuring the pilgrims comfortably and confidently embark on their #PerjalananBerkahPenuhMakna (meaningful journey).

Harman Subakat, CEO of Paragon Corp, said, "We are delighted to offer these Umrah & Hajj Packages to support and bring comfort during their pilgrimage. We want our consumers to have the best experience during their sacred, spiritual journey and rest assured that their skincare needs are cared for by a trusted brand."

As a national flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia consistently strives to support local products and therefore highly appreciates the partnership, says Irfan Setiaputra, Director of Garuda Indonesia, "This collaboration with Paragon is part of our commitment to support local industries and accelerate the national economy recovery by providing a platform to introduce the local halal-certified products, especially for our valued customers."

As the global clean energy transition continues onward at breakneck speed, countries with battery metal reserves look to corner the rising market. Chile may take the cake for largest lithium supplier, but Indonesia is leading the race in the supply of nickel, a key metal in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Now the Southeast Asian country is looking to become a top participant in the global EV market.

In fact, nickel companies are driving a record year for public listings in Indonesia with bankers anticipating up to $4 billion in issuance in 2023.1 Indonesia is already Asia’s second-busiest IPO market this year, in terms of both deal value and number of listings, after China. Bankers anticipate up to $4 billion in issuance in 2023.2

President Joko Widodo has prohibited the export of raw nickel to encourage more battery manufacturers to build domestic processing plants. The practice, known as downstreaming, has contributed to an increase in the value of the country's nickel product exports to almost $30 billion in 2022, more than 10 times what they were a decade ago.3

As a result, a whole supply chain for EVs is growing. LG Energy Solution is constructing a $1.1 billion battery cell plant, while Hyundai launched its first Southeast Asian plant to assemble EVs last year. China’s CATL has also invested in the industry and the government is courting Tesla and BYD.

In the last three years alone Indonesia has signed over a dozen deals worth over $15 billion for battery materials and EV production with global manufacturers like LG, Hyundai, and Foxconn.

Now, the public listings of nickel companies couldl put international investor interest in Widodo's agenda to the test, despite the fact that Indonesia is still viewed as a weak emerging market with volatile shares.

Regardless of whether nickel supply comes from Indonesia or other countries, demand is expected to continue rising. Brazilian mining giant Vale sees global demand increasing by 44% by 2030,4 while BHP predicts it will rise fourfold by 2050 due to EV demand.5

The Oregon Group Predicts a 5-year Supply Crunch for Battery Nickel

According to a new report, the availability of Class I nickel, which is required for EV batteries, is projected to be limited for the next three to five years. Despite increased output by Chinese nickel giant Tsingshan, The Oregon Group believes that the nickel market will remain constrained.

The Oregon Group is widely seen as an expert in the financial industry. This investment firm was started by Anthony Milewski and Justin Cochrane, who are both independent experts in the capital markets.

Milewski has been a consultant, a founder, and an investor in the mining business.

Milewski and The Oregon Group think that a lot of money should be put into projects all over the world that use nickel.

The report, called The Green Economy and Nickel's Generational Class I Supply Crunch, investigates major trends influencing the expansion of Class I nickel supply and demand. Geopolitical concerns, as well as the impending collision between the drive to decarbonize supply chains and the high emissions of new and near-term nickel production, are among them.

The Oregon Group argues that ignoring sulfide resources that are thought to be "poor grade" may soon no longer be possible in a world that wants battery-grade nickel products but doesn't have many places to get them. This is because the demand for battery-grade nickel is expected to grow exponentially in the long run, but there aren't many places to get it now.

This report gives a detailed look at the nickel market, the major trends that will affect it over the next ten years, and how the supply and demand of nickel will change. It also has a full list of companies that look for and develop nickel as well as a few nickel ETFs.

The Class I nickel deficit won't go away any time soon, so prices will continue to go up for a while. Now is a good time to think about getting into the nickel market if you haven't already.

Jakarta is one of the biggest cities in Southeast Asia and has been known for its vibrant music and art scene for decades. As such, some of the biggest concerts in Jakarta are held in the city’s most iconic venues. Here are some of the biggest concerts in Jakarta that have taken place over the years:

1. The Soundrenaline Festival: This annual music festival is held at the city’s largest outdoor venue, the Ancol Beach Stadium. The Soundrenaline Festival is one of the biggest music festivals in Jakarta and has featured some of the biggest names in the music industry including Linkin Park, Machine Gun Kelly, and The Script.

2. The Java Jazz Festival: This annual jazz festival has been held in Jakarta since 2005. It is one of the most popular musical events in the city and has featured some of the biggest names in jazz including Herbie Hancock and Al Di Meola.

3. The Jakarta International Festival: This international music festival is held at the city’s most iconic venue, the Jakarta International Expo. The festival has featured some of the biggest names in the music industry including Maroon 5, The Killers, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

4. The Jakarta Rock Festival: This annual rock festival has been held in Jakarta since 2002 and is one of the biggest rock concerts in the city. It has featured some of the most iconic rock bands in the world including Metallica, Aerosmith, and Guns N’ Roses.

5. The Jakarta International Music Festival: This international music festival takes place in Jakarta every year and features some of the biggest names in the music industry from around the world. Notable bands that have performed at this festival include Foo Fighters, Green Day, and My Chemical Romance.

For many Americans, the name Barack Obama brings to mind an influential leader, a brilliant orator, and a social justice champion. For most Indonesians, however, the 44th president of the United States holds a revered place in their hearts- the man who, during his childhood in Jakarta, soaked up the sounds and melodies of Indonesian music.

Born to a Kenyan father and an American mother, Barack Obama spent four of his formative years living with his mother and Indonesian stepfather in Jakarta. During this time, the young Obama was exposed to a wide range of local Indonesian music, from gamelan to kroncong. He was particularly fond of the traditional Balinese music, which he described in his autobiography, Dreams from My Father, as having a “haunting, almost hypnotic effect.”

Thus, Obama has a special connection with Indonesia and Indonesian music. As noted, Obama spent four formative years in Indonesia as a child, and it had a lasting influence on his life. Obama always had a special affinity for Indonesian music- throughout his time in office, he exploited every opportunity to express his admiration and appreciation for the country’s vibrant culture.

The president’s love for music has been evident ever since he was a young man- it only grew by the day. From hip-hop to jazz, Obama has always been a fan of all kinds of music. In one of his speeches, President Obama even said that music has the power to bridge our differences and bring people together. In later days, President Obama showed his keen appreciation for Indonesian music. During his visit to Indonesia in 2010, the president was seen taking part in traditional Indonesian music performances. His appreciation for Indonesian music was also evident from his statements to the media.

In a local radio interview, Obama once stated that he "loved traditional Indonesian music and the modern pop songs created in Indonesia". He was particularly impressed with the Sundanese gamelan music and said that it was "absolutely beautiful". Obama's admiration for Indonesian music has excited many, particularly the younger generation. His appreciation for such music has resonated with the youth and helped spread the message of peace and understanding.

When President Obama visited Indonesia in 2010, he was invited by the Indonesian government to witness a unique musical performance. During the visit, he enjoyed traditional Indonesian music, known as “Gamelan.” This is played on percussion instruments such as cymbals, drums and gongs. Gamelan has been around since the 7th century; it is still popular today. It has a unique sound and features a combination of rhythms and melodies. In addition to Gamelan, Obama enjoyed other genres of Indonesian music. From the hauntingly beautiful melody of the kacapi suling (zither and flute) to the energetic beats of angklung (bamboo instruments) to the vibrant sounds of the orchestra Javanese gamelan gong kebyar, the president really enjoyed his experience with Indonesia’s rich musical heritage.

The experience was a special one for Obama; the president stated that it was one of the most memorable moments of his visit. He spoke about how the music touched him, saying, “There was something about the beauty of this music, its complexity and its directness, that spoke to me.” And the visit had other benefits. President Obama gained a better understanding of Indonesian culture; he took part in discussions with musicians and other cultural figures. It gave him a greater understanding of the culture and its music.

President Obama's love for Indonesian music wasn't just a passing phase. In 2012, he invited several Balinese gamelan musicians to perform at the White House in honour of the Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. He hosted a variety of Indonesian musical performances, including gamelan, karawitan, and kroncong, at the White House during his tenure. He has been spotted at music festivals and concerts across the United States featuring Indonesian music. This included the Indonesian Music Festival in Los Angeles and the Global Music Festival in Washington, D.C.

Interestingly, Barack Obama’s admiration of Indonesian music is something that has been transferred to his whole family. His youngest daughter, Sasha, was seen wearing a traditional Javanese costume during her visit to the country in 2014. This indicates the deep connection the Obama family has with Indonesian culture and its music.