While the economy is expanding at a descent clip, the growth achieved to date has done little to help mitigate poverty as most of it has taken place in non-labor intensive sectors, an economic think tank says.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - US President George Walker Bush`s visit to Indonesia could increase foreign investors` confidence in Indonesia, economist Umar Juoro said."Bush`s visit could make foreign investors -- those intending to come here and those who already operate in the country -- more confident...

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - GDP could grow 7 pct next year if the government speeds up infrastructure projects, Bank Internasional Indonesia's chief economist Ferry Latuhihin said."There is a chance for the economy to grow 7 pct next year, if the government accelerates the development of infrastructure...

Tokyo (ANTARA News) - Japan will accept nurses, care workers and hotel trainees from Indonesia under a bilateral economic partnership agreement in the final stages of talks, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported, without citing sources.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the Indonesian and the US governments have agreed to cooperate in the development of biofuel to enable the two countries to become less dependent on oil."On energy, we (Indonesia and US) are going to cooperate in biofuel development.

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Capital market analysts have predicted that investors will be focusing on Bakrie group's shares after PT Energi Mega Persada Tbk controversially sold Lapindo Brantas Inc to a foreign investor.

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Ismanu Soemiran, Head of the Association of Indonesian Cigarette Producers, is of the opinion that cigarette excise duty rise to Rp10 per cigarette starting January 2007 will create financial losses for the state.