Sunda strait bridge construction follow experts` theories: Lampung governor Bandarlampung (ANTARA News) - Lampung Governor Sjachroedin ZP said the plan to build the Sunda Strait Bridge linking Java and Sumatra islands, including its passableness by big ships, had already been calculated theoretically by experts. "We are pushing the realization of the project so that travel time between Sumatra and Java will be shortened," the governor said here Tuesday.

The owners of businesses operated under franchises say they are grateful for the recent publication of the much anticipated new Franchise Regulation, but say that it is not enough to support optimal growth in the industry. Although it was signed by the President on July 23, the Trade Ministry only published the Franchising Regulation on its website Monday. The new regulation is more comprehensive in scope as compared with the previous 1997 franchising regulation.

State-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina expects its net profit to drop by 18 percent to Rp 17 trillion (US$1.8 billion) next year on the back of the lower margin it will receive from the distribution of state subsidized fuels. Frederick Siahaan, Pertamina finance director, said Monday that the government's recent decision to cut the margin meant that Pertamina will make a smaller profit compared with this year's, which it is estimated will come in at Rp 20.6 trillion.

State power utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) plans to invite bids early next year for the development of the Sumatra and Java power transmission networks, a company executive says. Herman Darnel Ibrahim, PLN transmission and distribution director, said over the weekend that the company was currently conducting a feasibility study and expected that the tender for the projects, worth some US$1.2-billion, would take place in April 2008.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Jakarta administration was expected to foster investment and trade cooperation with Australia`s state of New South Wales in the framework of sister city cooperation, Jakarta Deputy Vice Governor Fauzi Bowo said here Monday.

The government will extend the term of some of the 15 production sharing contracts facing expiry after 10 years if they do not submit a development plan by the end of 2007, Oil and Gas Director General at the Energy and Mines Ministry, Luluk Sumiarso, said Wednesday (26/9/07). "Some of the 15 blocks will be extended, while some will be terminated. It will be decided on a case-by-case basis," Platts Commodity News quoted as saying.

Indonesia may require oil and gas explorers to set aside 10% of new developments to domestic companies in addition to the 10% given to provincial governments. The government is considering applying the ruling to new contracts as well as extensions to existing projects, Bloomberg quoted Kardaya Warnika, chairman of oil and gas regulator BP Migas, as telling reporters on Monday (24/9/07).

A Dutch multinational company is seeking an opportunity to invest in Indonesia’s horticultural seedling industry, an Agriculture Department official said on Monday (24/9/07). The company wants to invest in an industry producing vegetable and fruit seedlings, Director General of Horticulture Achmad Dimyati said. "The company is now eyeing such an industry to invest in and we hope it can be realized," he was quoted as saying by Antara.

The provincial governments of Banten and Lampung are expected to sign an agreement with PT Artha Graha Network soon on the construction of a Rp94 trillion bridge over the Sunda Strait separating Java and Sumatra. Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiah said Thursday (27/9/07) a precise date for the signing has not been set because they were still waiting for confirmation from the Transportation Department.

Swiss cement maker Holcim is looking into building a new factory in Indonesia, but has yet to make a decision, a spokesman for the group said on Monday (24/9/07). "It is correct that Holcim is looking into building a new factory. The process has not been completed, no decision has been reached," the spokesman said, according to Reuters. Bisnis Indonesia reported that Holcim would spend $300 million building a new factory in Tuban, East Java through its PT Holcim Indonesia subsidiary.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its ratings on the Republic of Indonesia with a stable outlook on Tuesday (25/9/07), saying the ratings are underpinned by continued improvements in the nation's debt and external liquidity positions. S&P has 'BB-/B' foreign currency and 'BB+/B' local currency ratings on Indonesia, Thomson Financial reported. General government debt is expected to decline further to 44% of GDP this year, down from 46% in 2006 and over 100% in 2000.

sometimes our leader just saw the problem inside the country, its crazy, there is most important things that we must look after, that is INDONESIAN WORKER ABROAD (tki), they bring other country money to our country but they didn't get any protection from our government.