Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 14 July 1998

63 articles found

Sutiyoso refuses to backpedal on pedicabs

Sutiyoso refuses to backpedal on pedicabs JAKARTA (JP): An emotional demonstration by about 200 pedicab drivers yesterday failed to persuade Governor Sutiyoso to allow the vehicles to operate in the city until the economic crisis is over. Sutiyoso insisted his much-ridiculed backpedal which revoked his own six-day-old decision to allow drivers of pedicabs (becak) to earn a living in the city was final.

Promoting Indonesian-French cultural relations

Promoting Indonesian-French cultural relations The French government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed a bilateral agreement with Indonesia in 1960 which included the support of cultural diffusion. Already functioning toward this aim was the French Cultural Center (CCF). Founded in 1954, it is concerned with developing bilateral relations in informing Indonesians about French art and culture.

Twenty rape victims die, activists say

Twenty rape victims die, activists say JAKARTA (JP): Twenty women who were targeted in systematic rapes and sexual assaults in Jakarta and other towns these past few weeks have died, some in the hands of their attackers, activists monitoring the incidents said yesterday. The activists from the Volunteers of Humanity said they had solid evidence of at least 168 rapes of women and children dating back to the riots that broke out in May to as recently as July 3.

Veterans slam ABRI for meddling in Golkar

Veterans slam ABRI for meddling in Golkar JAKARTA (JP): A group of 13 retired generals from the 1945 and Post-1945 Generations yesterday lashed out at the Armed Forces (ABRI) Headquarters and the government for interfering in Golkar's recent extraordinary congress. The generals said in a statement signed by Lt. Gen. (ret.) A. Kemal Idris that they were disappointed with and deeply regretted the Armed Forces stance during the congress.

Suspect reenacts murder, mutilation of girlfriend

Suspect reenacts murder, mutilation of girlfriend JAKARTA (JP): Looking pale but calm, First Sgt. Uki Wardana, 24, demonstrated to Military Police investigators and onlookers how he murdered, dismembered and dumped the body of his 29-year- old girlfriend. During the four hour reenactment last Thursday, the suspect explained how Rahayu Chaeranti, alias Butet, visited him at his boarding house on Jl. Yusufyah in Lubang Buaya, East Jakarta, at around 1 p.m. on June 26.

Rights body to send team to Irian Jaya

Rights body to send team to Irian Jaya JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights said yesterday it is to send a team to investigate alleged human rights violations during the recent proindependence protests in Irian Jaya. The rights body's secretary-general, Baharuddin Lopa, told non-governmental organization (NGO) activists that the team will be dispatched tomorrow to collect information.

Rupiah stable, shares down on regional weakness

Rupiah stable, shares down on regional weakness JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah was stable against the U.S. dollar yesterday despite a regional weakness which pulled down local share prices, dealers and stockbrokers said. Currency dealers said domestic factors seemed to have a more significant influence on the rupiah due to the thin volume of trading and because offshore operators avoided the currency because of its high risk.

Villagers protest against slur

Villagers protest against slur PONOROGO, East Java: Punturan residents held a protest yesterday against the aspersion that their village was Desa Kumpul Kebo, or "cohabitation village". Hundreds of people from the village in Pulung subdistrict staged their demonstration in front of the local council office here. They were met by Zaenuri, a deputy speaker of the council office who listened to them vent their displeasure at the slur.

Rates for Tax Payment

Rates for Tax Payment JAKARTA (JP): The new official conversion rates as the basis for payment of import duty, value-added tax on goods and services, sales tax on luxury goods, export tax and income tax, valid from July 13 to July 19: U.S.

Indovision responds

Indovision responds Indovision would like to thank Maimunah and Robert Janssen (Your Letters, Indovision: A world of joy, July 10, 1998) for the opportunity to explain the loss of signal which occurred on July 1. A fault in broadcast information transmitted from the Hong Kong earth station to the satellite caused the outage. We certainly had no intention to turn off transmissions and it was obviously impossible to provide advance warning since we did not know this was going to happen.

New Jakarta military chief vows to maintain security

New Jakarta military chief vows to maintain security JAKARTA (JP): Newly installed Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman said yesterday he would maintain security in the capital so people from all walks of life could continue with their daily activities. Speaking to reporters at the command's headquarters here after the installment ceremony, Djadja said he would cooperate with the police and the public to make the city safe.

RI population to hit 318m in 2050

RI population to hit 318m in 2050 JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's population is expected to reach 318 million by the halfway point of the next century. President B.J. Habibie, in a ceremony here yesterday marking the July 11 World Population Day, said that it was important for Indonesians to maintain the success of the family planning program. The current annual population growth rate in Indonesia is about 1.7 percent, or equivalent to about an additional three million each year.

Preacher Anton a no-show for city police summons

Preacher Anton a no-show for city police summons JAKARTA (JP): Ex-con turned Moslem preacher Anton Medan, who has been named by police as a suspect for orchestrating the mid- May riots, failed yesterday to meet a police summons for questioning. Instead, he sent his lawyer, Munir from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, to meet interrogators at the Jakarta Police Headquarters.

French Ambassador Gerard Cros's message on the Bastille Day anniversary

French Ambassador Gerard Cros's message on the Bastille Day anniversary The 14th of July, and in particular this year's, represents not just a National Holiday for the nation of France but also a day which people of all colours and creeds may celebrate. The values of equality, freedom and kinship for which the French Revolution stood are notions which have relevance to those from all walks of life.

Three firms join Gresik bidding

Three firms join Gresik bidding JAKARTA (JP): Three foreign cement companies will take part in the second bidding stage to purchase part of the government's 65 percent stake in publicly listed PT Semen Gresik, an official said yesterday. Sofyan A. Djalil, a deputy of State Minister for the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng, identified the firms as Germany's Heilderberger Zement AG, Switzerland's Holderbank and France's Laferge Asia Pacific.

Weekly news tabloid 'DeTAK' set to hit newsstand today

Weekly news tabloid 'DeTAK' set to hit newsstand today JAKARTA (JP): A new weekly news tabloid DeTAK, a reincarnation of the DeTIK tabloid banned four years ago by the government, will hit the newsstand today, its chief editor Eros Djarot announced here yesterday.

Mt Merapi belches more hot ash clouds

Mt Merapi belches more hot ash clouds YOGYAKARTA (JP): Mt. Merapi belched more hot clouds yesterday, but with the government easing the alert status, the volcano's activity provoked more amazement than fear, at least among people in Yogyakarta. Hundreds of people thronged various spots about 30 km south of the mountain yesterday, touted by locals as ideal and safe from which to enjoy the spectacle of Mt. Merapi blowing its top.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung: Exhibitions * Art exhibition: Works of Agus Suwage, at Galeripadi Jl. Ir. H. Juanda 329 Bandung (Phone: 022 2500578), Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., until July 19. * Painting Exhibition by Roedyat Martadiradja, Tatang Ganar, Marilies Forster, Elly Roedyat, etc, in the Lobby, Jayakarta Hotel, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda 381 A (Phone: 022 2505888), until Aug. 5. Performances * Traditional Theater by Longser Pancawarna, in Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl.

RP exports more cooking oil

RP exports more cooking oil MANILA (Reuters): Coconut oil prices in Rotterdam may decline this week on prospects of more exports from the Philippines, Manila vegetable oil traders said yesterday. "Exports in July are still huge, probably in the range of 100,000-110,000 tonnes from the Philippines alone. This could put some pressure in Rotterdam prices, which is still keeping huge stocks," said a senior Manila trader.

Atracting dollars without risk (2)

Atracting dollars without risk (2) By C.J. de Koning This is the second of two articles on the monetary crisis. JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's monthly trade surplus grew to US$2 billion by last March. International funding for trade transactions, however, decreased dramatically over the same period. One can compare exchange rate developments to interest rates. The simplest way is to look at them over time. For instance, with the rupiah at 15,000 to the U.S.

McDonald's offers cheap package

McDonald's offers cheap package JAKARTA (JP): With the skyrocketing prices of services and goods in mind, particularly those for food, McDonald's Indonesia introduced over the weekend its RiceEgg package meal. Priced at Rp 2,000 (13 U.S. cents), the meal consists of boiled rice, a one-egg omelette and slices of beef and vegetables. McDonald's Indonesia president Bambang N.

Recession hits Malaysia

Recession hits Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP): Shedding wishful thinking about the once roaring economy, Malaysia admitted yesterday that it would slip into recession this year, confirming the worst fears of financial analysts. The gross domestic product would contract by 1 percent to 2 percent in 1998, Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

Guarantee urged for Indonesians who fled

Guarantee urged for Indonesians who fled JAKARTA (JP): The Coordinating Agency for National Unity (Bakom PKB) called on the Armed Forces yesterday to provide a security guarantee so that the estimated 40,000 Indonesians of Chinese descent who fled abroad in the wake of unrest can return. In a meeting with Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid yesterday they discussed efforts to attract these Indonesians home and solutions to cases pertaining to ethnic and religious relations.

Indonesia to keep monetary policy relatively tight

Indonesia to keep monetary policy relatively tight TOKYO (Reuters): Bank Indonesia will maintain a relatively tight monetary policy until pressures on the rupiah and inflation diminish, the central bank's managing director Achjar Iljas said here yesterday. "I think for the time being and for the immediate future, I think we will have to maintain a relatively tight monetary policy," Iljas told Reuters Television in an interview.

Thai minister tells Australia to stay

Thai minister tells Australia to stay SYDNEY, Australia (AP): Australia must not withdraw from Southeast Asia in response to the region's economic crisis, Thai Foreign Minister Dr. Surin Pitsuwan told Australian businesses and the government yesterday. "No country is an island," Surin told reporters. "We have been integrated, it cannot be reversed." He said engagement, integration and cooperation were the answers to the problems in the region.

PAL seeks debt suspension

PAL seeks debt suspension MANILA (Dow Jones): Cash-strapped Philippine Airlines is seeking a five-year suspension of payment on its 85 billion pesos (PHP) worth of debt under a rehabilitation plan it submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Commission Chairman Perfecto Yasay Jr. told reporters yesterday that the airline's management wanted the five-year breathing period to nurse the airline back to health. The airline has been in the red for some time.

Local teledramas require more, better scriptwriters

Local teledramas require more, better scriptwriters By Sunaryono Basuki Ks DENPASAR (JP): The growth of Indonesian teledramas requires good materials for the stories. Many television workers have complained about the lack of good sources for their films because today, they are forced to produce their own programs to reduce the number of imported telefilms. The number of existing telescripts cannot cope with the rising demand.

French-Indonesian trade keeps growing

French-Indonesian trade keeps growing Trade between France and Indonesia is growing steadily and reached FF 14.7 billion (US$2.5 billion) in 1997, an increase of 26 percent over 1996. French exports were boosted by the delivery of four Airbus A330 to Garuda Indonesia, and grew overall by 33 percent. Indonesian exports to France rose by 17 percent, and achieved a record level of FF 6 billion.

Singapore agrees to buy natural gas from Natuna

Singapore agrees to buy natural gas from Natuna JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina and Singapore's Sembawang Gas (SembGas) yesterday signed a massive deal paving the way for the first international sale of natural gas piped from the western coast of Natuna island to the city state.

Media lifts lid on Tommy's love life

Media lifts lid on Tommy's love life By Ahmad Junaidi JAKARTA (JP): Ever heard the rumors about beautiful celebrities that Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra has dated? When his father, Soeharto, was the dreaded president of the republic that's all they were, tittle-tattle confined to saucy word of mouth like bedtime stories of yore. But now, with a euphoric media enjoying unprecedented freedom, the stories are printed and you can obtain copies freely on the streets.

Scared citizens asked not to flee troubled E. Timor

Scared citizens asked not to flee troubled E. Timor JAKARTA (JP): Amid the exodus of thousands of migrants leaving East Timor, Governor Abilio Jose Osoario Soares called for calm yesterday and urged people not to panic on hearing rumors of riots in the province. "I am appealing to all people from other provinces who have, for a long time, resettled in Dili to wisely assess the situation," he said in the provincial capital Dili.

Lippo Bank books 445% profit hike

Lippo Bank books 445% profit hike JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed Lippo Bank announced a record 445 percent jump in profits yesterday to Rp 530 billion (about US$5.4 million) during the first half of the year compared to the same period in 1997. The pretax profits were 450 percent above projections, the bank said.

Conversion Rates

Conversion Rates JAKARTA (JP): Bank Ekspor Impor Indonesia's (Bank Exim) indicative conversion rates on July 13, 1998: Buying Selling Rp Rp U.S.

Governor hails advise on share in companies

Governor hails advise on share in companies JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso welcomed yesterday suggestions that the city sell its shares in nonperforming private companies to keep the city administration going in the economic crisis. He said he would first assess each company's performance. "I will first give them a chance to explain their performance.

Indonesian insurance brokers call for riot payments

Indonesian insurance brokers call for riot payments SINGAPORE (Reuters): An Indonesian insurance brokers group has said it was deeply concerned about a delay in acceptance of claims arising from May's riots. The Association of Indonesian Insurance Brokers (Asosiasi Broker Asuransi Indonesia, or ABAI) said in a statement yesterday; "there was a general consensus Indonesian property insurance policies would admit the rioting and criminal damage which ensued.

Racial implication

Racial implication Mr. Widjaja's remarks about pribumi (indigenous people) and non-pribumi (nonindigenous people) in his letter Indonesians of Chinese descent on June 20 is right. The distinction of indigenous and nonindigenous people has a racial overtone. In fact the burning, looting and raping of ethnic Chinese which the world saw last May surpassed the pogroms against the Jews in Europe.

Cut in log export tax fails to attact local timber firms

Cut in log export tax fails to attact local timber firms JAKARTA (JP): Selling logs overseas remains unprofitable despite the slashing of the export tax on the commodity, a senior forestry official said here yesterday. Director General of Forest Utilization Harnanto H. Martosiswojo said the recent cut in the export tax to 30 percent from 200 percent should theoretically have boosted exports of the commodity.

Asian marts jolted by Japan election shock

Asian marts jolted by Japan election shock SINGAPORE (Reuters): Most Asian markets fell yesterday after a stunning election setback for Japan's ruling party, although Tokyo recovered in late trade as hope grew that the rebuke delivered by voters would spur faster reform.

Officials of Soeharto's foundations queried

Officials of Soeharto's foundations queried JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Lt. Gen. Andi Muhammad Ghalib said yesterday his office had questioned several of the officials who manage four giant charities chaired by former president Soeharto. Ghalib said he was hopeful the foundations' audits would be completed faster than the four months allotted by the government.

Minister calls for Japanese aid to go on

Minister calls for Japanese aid to go on TOKYO (Dow Jones): The political vacuum in Japan will hurt the yen and increase uncertainty in the region, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita said yesterday. Ginandjar told reporters in Tokyo that he hopes Japan's political crisis will not affect the country's direct support for Indonesia. He said past changes in the government haven't affected bilateral assistance pledges.

Wiranto reelected GABSI chief

Wiranto reelected GABSI chief JAKARTA (JP): Commander of the Armed Forces Gen. Wiranto was elected for a third term as chairman of the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (GABSI) at its national congress in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, last week. Wiranto, who is also minister of defense, will chair the association from 1998 to 2002 and will be assisted by executive director Yoost Mengko, secretary HA Imran, treasurer Markus Parmadi, player development deputy Roy E.

Asian palm oil prices seen firming on weak currencies

Asian palm oil prices seen firming on weak currencies KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Asian palm oil prices are expected to be firm this week on increased buying due to weak regional currencies and anticipation of bullish Malaysian official crop data for June, traders said. Malaysia's Palm Oil Registration and Licensing Authority (PORLA) would release the June crop data on Wednesday and traders expect output and stocks to be low amid high exports.

Creative games for kindergartens

Creative games for kindergartens JAKARTA (JP): A one-day competition on creative games for students from local and international kindergartens and primary schools will be held at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah on July 26, organizers said over the weekend. Herudi Kartowisastro of the Science and Technology Center Indonesia said the contest would help children explore their creativity and imagination.

Employers call on govt to review new labor law

Employers call on govt to review new labor law JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) has urged the House of Representatives and the government to review the controversial new labor law before its enforcement in October. Apindo Secretary-General Poerbadi Hardjoprajitno lashed out at the new law yesterday, saying it was "too emotional" in its threats of stiff sanctions against violating employers.

Woman falls to her death

Woman falls to her death JAKARTA (JP): A female engineer died after falling down an elevator shaft from the 26th floor of the Menara Tujuh Gading apartment building in North Jakarta yesterday morning, police said. "Based on our preliminary investigation, Lisa Widowati, 29, tripped and fell while checking the work progress at the apartment tower," Capt. Asep Suhendar, head of Kelapa Gading Police Subprecinct, told The Jakarta Post.

Asia needs U.S. to avoid crash

Asia needs U.S. to avoid crash MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines said yesterday that support from the United States was vital if Asia was to avoid a depression. Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon said a depression could spark regional conflicts unless it received outside help. "We don't want that scenario to recur here and this is why the U.S.

Total Indonesie enhances RI LNG export capability

Total Indonesie enhances RI LNG export capability Total Indonesie, a subsidiary of a major international oil and gas company based in Paris, has been operating in Indonesia since 1968 under a Production Sharing Contract with Pertamina. At its initial stages, Total Indonesie was active mainly in producing crude oil from the Handil and Bekapai fields.

Australian firm has RI payment problems

Australian firm has RI payment problems SYDNEY (Dow Jones): Australia's Energy Equity Corp., a stakeholder in the Indonesian Sengkang gas and power project, said yesterday that an Indonesian state-owned power company has failed to pay two electricity bills in full. Energy Equity said Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has only partially paid a March invoice from the Sengkang Power project due to be paid in full by July 10, leaving US$1.9 million owed to the project.

Three refuse to join Golkar executive board

Three refuse to join Golkar executive board JAKARTA (JP): Less than 48 hours after the lineup of the new Golkar executive board was announced, three people have already refused to join. Newly-elected Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said Indra Bambang Utojo, Didit Hariyadi and Salim Said had decided not to accept their respective appointments because they believed they could not commit themselves fully to Golkar.

RI teenager takes Brunei men's title

RI teenager takes Brunei men's title BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Reuters): Indonesian teenager Taufik Hidayat and China's Gong Ruina created big upsets when they won the men's and women's titles in the Brunei Open badminton tournament on Sunday. Taufik, 17, came back from a one-game deficit to outclass top seed and world number three Dong Jiong of China 12-15, 15-3, 15- 9.

ASEAN to discuss ending policy of nonintervention

ASEAN to discuss ending policy of nonintervention MANILA (AP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, based since its start on non-interference in each others' internal affairs, has matured and is ready to consider more direct involvement and criticism, an official said yesterday. "Times have changed. After 31 years we are now adults and we should be able to discuss our problems frankly," Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Domingo Siazon said.

OECD says investment in Asia not dented by crisis

OECD says investment in Asia not dented by crisis PARIS (Reuters): The OECD said on Sunday that foreign direct investment (FDI) into Southeast Asia had not been dented by the financial crisis and the outlook for this kind of investment remained mixed.

License to report

License to report One could not agree more with President B.J. Habibie's desire to see a higher standard of professionalism among Indonesian journalists. In this era of globalization, professionalism in any field is crucial. Without it, people in any walk of life will not be able to survive the fierce global competition that now exists. If professionalism is equated with striving for higher journalistic standards, Habibie's concern is valid.

Toyota produces Asian car

Toyota produces Asian car TOKYO (Reuters): Toyota Motor Corp. said yesterday that it has begun production of a multi-purpose vehicle for the Asian market, Toyota Unser, in Malaysia. The new vehicle will be available on July 17 with two types, one with a 1.8 liter gasoline engine and the other with a 2.4 liter diesel engine, a Toyota spokeswoman said. The spokeswoman said that the vehicle will be assembled at UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd.

On fasting

On fasting From Media Indonesia The appeal of President B.J. Habibie that, in order to save rice, the people should fast on Mondays and Thursdays, is causing deep concern. Actually this appeal would be better directed at government officials -- ministers, governors, mayors, regents, district and subdistrict chiefs and their families, and not to the vast majority of the people. And the rice saved could be distributed to needy people. Please, have mercy on the people, Mr. President!

Classes halted at university

Classes halted at university JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Classes have been suspended at Cendrawasih University here due to heightened tension between students and security personnel over the recent shooting of two students during a free speech forum. "Pending the improvement of (campus) security, all lecture activities have been suspended since July 6," rector of the state university, Frans A. Wospakrik, confirmed yesterday.

Government to cut petrochemical tariffs

Government to cut petrochemical tariffs JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to cut import tariffs on several chemical and petrochemical products by Nov. 10 to boost the local downstream chemical industry, Minister of Trade and Industry Rahardi Ramelan said yesterday. The tariff cut would target the current high import duties on certain petrochemical products designed to protect the country's upstream petrochemical industry, he told a seminar on the chemical industry.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 13, 1998: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 375 0 0 AHAP Insurance 575 0 0 Alter Abadi 500 0 231,000 Alumindo Light Metal 350 0 0 Alumindo Perkasa 200 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 225 0 43,000 Aneka Tambang 2,175 125 20,387,500 Anwar Sierad 125 0 74,500 Apac Centertex Corp.

Japan dampens Asian rubber mart

Japan dampens Asian rubber mart SINGAPORE (Reuters): Worries over post-election Japan and continued weakness in regional currencies are set to send more shivers through Southeast Asia's dull rubber market this week, regional traders said yesterday. "There has been very little physical trade recently. People are only checking prices," said one Singapore trader. "They may even stop asking if Japan's economic outlook remains so bearish.

EU states urge rethink on cotton dumping duties

EU states urge rethink on cotton dumping duties BRUSSELS (Reuters): Eight European Union states yesterday complained to the European Commission over its decision to impose anti-dumping duties on imports of unbleached cotton from six non- EU countries. In a letter of protest to the 15-nation bloc's executive, the eight said the Commission was wrong to have overruled the majority of EU states, who did not want duties on imports from India, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey.

Reporter gets 4.5 months in jail over phony ID

Reporter gets 4.5 months in jail over phony ID JAKARTA (JP): A journalist received a jail sentence yesterday of four months and 15 days for faking a press identification card to cover the general session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in March this year. Central Jakarta District Court presiding judge Rusdi As'ad said Minsidi Suharta, 27, a stringer for Bandung Pos daily, was proven guilty of forging the ID card one day before the general session.

OPEC's basket price rises

OPEC's basket price rises LONDON (Reuters): The price of OPEC's basket of seven crudes rose to US$11.65 a barrel on Friday, up from $11.62 a barrel on Thursday, the OPEC news agency said quoting the OPEC Secretariat. The basket comprises Algeria's Saharan Blend, Indonesia's Minas, Nigeria's Bonny Light, Saudi Arabia's Arabian Light, Dubai of the UAE, Venezuela's Tia Juana and Mexico's Isthmus.

BCEOM completes 65 projects and studies

BCEOM completes 65 projects and studies At present, BCEOM Indonesia has a permanent staff of more than 30 professional expatriates and 200 Indonesians. It has completed more than 65 projects and studies since its establishment here (1982) and is presently focused on the present issues of Indonesian economics, i.e. poverty alleviation (rural) and the environment (rural and urban).