The government is finalizing a raft of regulations aimed at developing the industrial sector into a tightly knit network of self-supporting sectors, with manufacturers serving as the future backbone of the economy. State Minister for National Development Planning Paskah Suzetta said a presidential regulation for the so-called "National Industry Development Road Map" is expected to be issued by November, along with related regulations from other ministers.

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: There is a possibility that the government will raise the standard export price (HPE) for crude palm oil (CPO) and its processed products in line with the recent global oil price increases. The plan is also related to the previous government’s policy, the putting into effect of a progressive export tax for CPO and its processed products in order to slow down excessive exports--which push up national cooking oil prices.

JAKARTA - After years of policy confusion and political gridlock, Indonesia's Parliament this month ratified a government plan to establish full free trade zones (FTZ) for areas of three islands located near Singapore. The move represents the latest bid by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's pro-business administration to attract more badly needed foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Wednesday asked major city administrations in the country to soon develop mass transport systems to overcome transportation problems and anticipate a continuous increase in the prices of fuel oil. "We must develop ideal and low-priced mass transport systems as a solution to transportation problems," he said when opening Indonesia Transport & Logistics Expo 2007 at the Jakarta Convention Center here.