Ministry proposes concerted agricultural subsidy Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture has proposed to the government the launching of an integrated agricultural subsidy in order to regain Indonesia`s past success in food self-sufficiency such as that in 1984, an official said here on Monday.

Indofood to acquire 3 oil palm plantation firms Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Publicly-listed Indofood Sukses Makmur (INDF) will acquire three oil palm plantation companies with a total value of Rp125 billion (US$12.5 million), a spokesperson said. Indofood subsidiary PT Salim Ivomas Pratama (SIP) would carry out the acquisition using Idofood`s internally-generated cash, INDF director Thomas Tjhie said here Monday. Salim Ivomas Pratama is engaged in the cooking oil and vegetable oil production sector.

Govt hints to privatize PT PGN in November Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government hints that it will begin privatizing state gas distribution firm PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) probably in November this year. "The privatization of PGN must begin before the end of this year probably in November," Secretary of the Office of State Enterprises Minister Said Didu said here on Monday.

World Bank to Join Toll Road Project Monday, 16 October, 2006 | 14:01 WIB TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The World Bank will join financing the construction of the trans-Java toll road project that the government is offering. The World Bank will involve its subsidiary, the International Finance Corporation, in this infrastructure project.

Astra planning to expand business electricity sector Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Largest automotive company PT Astra International (ASII) through its subsidiary is studying a new offer made by the Indonesian government to make investment in the private electricity sector, a spokesperson has said.

PermataBank's net profit increases 21.6 percent in Q3 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta PermataBank reported an unaudited net profit of Rp 223.4 billion (about US$24.2 million) in the first nine months ending on Sept. 30, representing an increase of 21.6 percent from Rp 183.7 billion in the same period last year. The bank also recorded good momentum growth in net interest income and fee-based income while strengthening its asset position. As of Sept. 30.

interesting fact is that Indonesia are the world biggest supplier of Shrimps ... I have visited Lampung and the shrimp farm and factory are bloody massive!

National shrimp output projected at 350,000 tons to be achieved Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Ministry of Marine Resources and Fisheries believed that the 2006 national shrimp production projected at 350,000 tons, would be achieved. Made L. Nurjana, the ministry`s director general of fish breeding said in Subang, West Java, on Sunday, that around 60 pct, or 120 tons of the output, would come from intensive breeding programs, and the remainder 40 pct from traditional fish ponds.

Astra leads as vehicle sales up 21.5% in Sept. Andi Haswidi, The Jakarta Post The Association of Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers (Gaikindo) has reported a 21.5 percent rise in vehicle sales, excluding motorcycles, in September to 34,100 units from 28,000 units in August.

Govt to put shares in 14 SOEs up for grabs The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A minister has announced that the state will sell stakes in 14 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) next year to help improve their performances and finance the budget deficit.

Incentives for Investors Not Ready Friday, 13 October, 2006 | 12:50 WIB TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Department of Public Works has not yet settled on incentives that can be granted to investors in its bid on a number of projects for the second infrastructure meeting in early November of this year.

Pertamina and PLN Must Pay Karaha Bodas Friday, 13 October, 2006 | 15:00 WIB TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: he Deputy Minister of State Enterprises, Roes Aryawijaya, stressed that PT Pertamina and PT PLN must pay the fine and interest to Karaha Bodas Company. “The one who stopped the project was in fact the government, but it had its reasons,” said Roes. According to him, the project was stopped because Indonesia's economic condition did not support it.

Trials and travails of Indonesia's richest man By Bill Guerin JAKARTA - Publicity-shy paper and plantation magnate Sukanto Tanoto is in Indonesia's national headlines after topping two high-profile lists. Forbes Asia last month listed the 56-year-old tycoon as the richest individual in Indonesia, with assets worth about US$2.8 billion (Rp25.2 trillion). In June, the self-made ethnic-Chinese tycoon also topped a list of state-owned Bank Mandiri's six biggest debtors.

Batam to be elected as RI-Singapore tourist gate Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The city of Batam will become a bridge of tourism and tourist destination between Indonesia and Singapore under a strategic partnership between Citilink, the low-cost based airlines and Singapore Tourism Board (STB).