TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Although two of its subsidiaries have closed their factories, PT Cadbury Indonesia - the chocolates and sweets company, still remains in Indonesia. “It’s not true that Cadbury is leaving. They’re still trading here. I’ve spoken with the president director. They regarded Indonesia as still being interesting and competitive,” Muhammad Lutfi, Head of Investment Coordination Agency (BKPM), told Tempo in Jakarta last week.

To help develop the renewable energy sector and the use of biofuels, the government is considering providing various incentives, including value-added tax (VAT) reductions for business players, and excise duty cuts for biofuel users. Evita H. Legowo, first secretary of the government-sanctioned National Biofuel Development Committee, said Tuesday (10/7/07) that the incentives were currently being discussed with tax officials at the Finance Ministry.

Moody’s Investors Service is considering an upgrade in Indonesia’s sovereign debt rating, according to a Bloomberg News report citing two analysts with the rating agency. Steven Hess and Thomas Byrne said Friday (13/7/07) that the government is handling national finances well and has brought political stability to the country. Byrne told a briefing for reporters in Singapore that Indonesia and Vietnam were the two regional states being considered for an upgrade.

With its large population and current low penetration rate, Indonesia is among the most attractive markets for mobile phone makers in the Asia and Pacific region. It is no wonder, then, Indonesia has become the battleground for some of the world's biggest mobile phone producers, including Nokia, Motorola and Samsung. Market analysts estimate with a present penetration rate of between 25 and 35 percent, the Indonesian mobile phone market will remain attractive over the next three years.

A regulation is being drafted that would oblige mining firms to conduct post-exploration activities after their concessions end, a senior lawmaker says. The regulation, which would supplement the mining bill, is part of efforts to help ensure responsible mining operations that meet natural and environmental conservation principles, lawmaker Erlanga Hartarto of the Golkar Party told The Jakarta Post last week. Erlanga is a member of the House committee currently deliberating the mining bill.

Qatar has asked Indonesia to ratify a tax treaty so it can continue a US$1 billion infrastructure development fund it committed to Indonesia last year. The treaty against double taxation in both countries may be needed because Qatar and Indonesia could manage the infrastructure fund through a joint company, the Finance Ministry's Director General for the Treasury Herry Purnomo said last week. Both countries have given their preliminary consent to the treaty.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia's new list of foreign investment limits by sector has caused head-scratching among investors. But analysts and the government say that despite confusion, it is a step towards untangling the infamous bureaucracy of Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government was expected to intensify the penetration of national culture and history based products to the global market by providing various facilities and incentives to the exporters, Industry Minister Fahmi Idris said here over the weekend. Fahmi said Indonesia`s culture-based products should be developed more modernly with a technological touch and design to meet the market preferences.