The House of Representatives finally endorsed the long awaited Investment Law on Thursday amid a walk-out by legislators of one of the main political parties, and noisy protests from non-governmental organizations. Members from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) walked out of the plenary meeting, refusing to vote for the bill due to its objection to the longer duration of land titles under the bill.

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: PT Hutchinson CP Telecom Indonesia launched third generation-based (3G) cellular telecommunication service yesterday (29/3). In the first stage, the service called '3' will be available commercially in 67 cities in Java. Hutchinson Telecommunication International Ltd.'s Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Lui, explained that this service will be available in Bali in June this year. Following on to Sumatra in 2007 and Kalimantan also Sulawesi in the end of 2008.

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has asked Indonesia to apply a tax system that is open, stable and has legal certainty. According to him, many companies in Norway are interested in investing here: for example, an oil and gas company. “The key is an open, stable and definitive tax system,” said Stoltenberg in a joint press conference after meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at Merdeka Palace yesterday (03/29).

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The House of Representatives (DPR) has yesterday (03/29) approved a Draft Bill on Capital Investment to be legalized as law. However, in the plenary session, the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDIP) and National Awakening Party (PKB) Factions rejected the decision. They argued that some Articles must still be seriously discussed so that legalization should be delayed. Prior to the meeting, members of both parties left the room.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Boediono said Thursday he was upbeat that a much-awaited new package of tax legislation could be passed into law this year, despite the prolonged debate. "We're optimistic (that the deliberations can be completed this year), as this is necessary for all our sakes," Boediono said at his office.

With the launch of direct flight from Doha to Bali's provincial capital, Denpasar, last week, Qatar Airways is expected to help bring more tourists from the Middle East and Europe to the resort island. Speaking Thursday to reporters at a media gathering at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Jimbaran Bay, Qatar Airways's chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker, said he hoped the airline would not only bring visitors from the Middle East to Bali, but also from Europe and North America.

Hutchison Charoen Pokphand Telecom (HCPT) Indonesia became the latest newcomer to the country's already crowded cellular communications industry after it rolled out its nationwide GSM-based services Thursday.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government will slash the number of sectors on its negative investment list to attract more investors after the House of Representatives passed an investment bill into law on Thursday, an official said. "Actually, only three sectors are highly regulated, namely transportation, broadcasting and energy," Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Chief M Lutfhi said on Thursday.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is expecting this year`s investment to grow like before the economic crisis reaching around 10 percent following the passage of the new investment bill into law by the House of Representatives on Thursday. "Before the crisis the investment growth reached around 10 percent. Between 2000 and 2006 the growth was at an average of seven percent but last year only three percent.