No abstract

Rubber is the leading commodity in South Sumatra which provides the largest income in the non-oil and gas sector. South Sumatra itself is an area that has the largest rubber production and plantations in Indonesia and can even compete with other rubber-producing countries in the international market. However, in its development, South Sumatra's rubber commodity faces various obstacles to compete in international trade. The purpose of this study was to examine how the competitiveness of South Sumatra's natural rubber commodities in international trade. The concept of competitiveness and the theory of competitive advantage is used to describe the research results. The method used in this study is descriptive explanatory, data collection was obtained by interviewing the South Sumatra Province Plantation Service and GAPKINDO of South Sumatra, as well as through the results of a literature study. The findings of this study are seen through 4 determinants of competitive advantage, factor conditions, demand condition, related and supporting Industries, then firm strategy, structure, and rivalry. As well as additional factors,  governance. Production of rubber plantations in South Sumatra has decreased. Rubber demand also declined based on data on the volume of rubber exports. South Sumatra's downstream industry has not yet developed. Then the strategy applied is less than optimal and the role of the Government of South Sumatra is lacking. So it can be concluded that the competitiveness of South Sumatran rubber commodities in international trade is low.

Secara umum masyarakat Desa Kerinjing memiliki pengetahuan tentang perdagangan orang namun tidak memiliki wawasan yang luas tentang bahayanya dan modus-modusnya. Masyarakat Desa Kerinjing tidak pernah mendapatkan sosialisasi terkait hal tersebut sehingga tidak sedikit dari mereka pergi bekerja ke luar negeri dengan cara non prosedural yang dapat menjadikan mereka korban perdagangan orang. Karena itu perlunya diberikan pemahaman yang luas terkait ancaman perdagangan orang dan pencegahan tindak pidana perdagangan orang melalui sosialisasi dan Forum Group Discussion (FGD) di Desa Kerinjing Tanjung Raja Kabupaten Ogan Ilir. Kegiatan ini dilakukan dengan harapan tidak ada yang menjadi korban sekaligus mencegah agar masyarakat tidak menjadi oknum-oknum pelaku kejahatan tersebut. Setelah memberikan pemahaman, tim pengabdian juga melanjutkan dengan menguji pemahaman tersebut melalui pre-test dan post-test. Hasil dari kegiatan menunjukkan bahwa terdapat masyarakat Desa Kerinjing yang pernah menjadi korban tanpa sadar karena itu perlunya dilakukan peningkatan pengetahuan, pemahaman serta kesadaran masyarakat akan hukum dan penanggulangan perdagangan orang.

The downstreaming option to provide added value to local industries, especially developing countries in the Global Value Chain (GVC) era as a way to increase competitiveness and seizing global markets, is inevitable. This paper focus on the analysis of the developments and limitations faced in the implementation of the Strategic Policy of South Sumatra Rubber Product Downstreaming with the establishment of Tanjung Api-Api Special Economic Zone. At the regional level, the idea of developing SEZ (Special Economic Zone) aims to prepare investment institutions in improving the investment climate in Southeast Asia region and manifesting ASEAN as a single market and production base as a component of the 2015 ASEAN Economic Community. This study used an exploratory and descriptive qualitative research method, where the depth and context of the data are important. Data from this study consisted of secondary data through literature study and analysis of documents and primary data obtained from interview as well as through field research. The author concludes that the industrial downstreaming of rubber products in South Sumatra has not been maximally carried out, it was still segmented, it was not conducted linearly, both production and coordination between the central government and the locals. Tanjung Api-Api SEZ as a hub for international trade and industrialization of rubber commodities also encountered various obstacles including infrastructure (deep sea port) at this point was inadequate, certainty of fiscal incentives for companies relocating to SEZ and licensing.

This paper analyzed how local entities through the activity of city diplomacy could strengthened the environmentally sustainable integrated region. For the ASEAN regional level, the commitment to environmentally sustainable development is illustrated in the ASEAN Cooperation on Environmentally Sustainable Cities where local government is placed as the main actor and one of seven strategic plan priorities under the characteristic sustainable of cooperation within the ASEAN Cooperation on Environment, which is also under the ASEAN Socio-Culture Community blueprint 2025. This Cooperation aims to create the most liveable cities/urban areas, with the key indicators are clean water, clean land, and clean air and Palembang as a proper example of the development. This study used a qualitative research method that is exploratory and descriptive, where the depth and context of the data are important. Data from this study consisted of secondary data and primary data obtained from resource person who are relevant and reliable. The author concludes that ASEAN ESC Model Cities Program as one of the instruments, has upgraded the local capacity building of Palembang in terms of funding, human resources and innovation. Bottom up initiative on the pilot project of solid waste management in Palembang, as a form of the environmental city diplomacy plays a prominent role, keeping in mind that urban problems are getting more complex to be overcome through a state-centric mechanism.