The government will use a tender process, rather than the existing direct-appointment mechanism, to award the mining permits that will be issued under the proposed new mining law.

Experts have called on the government to urgently start promoting biotechnology in order to ensure food security and improve the living standards of farmers. Speaking Tuesday during a seminar organized by the Indonesian Biotechnology Information Center (IndoBic), economist Bustanul Arifin said that biotechnology had the potential to greatly increase the production of important food crops, such as rice, corn, soybean and sugar. According to data from the U.S.

A number of local firms, including PT Pertamina and PT Medco Energi, will later this year conduct feasibility studies on the exploration and production of coal-bed methane (CBM) in two different locations in South Sumatra. The projects will mark the first of their kind in Indonesia. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro told a seminar Wednesday that a memorandum of understanding on fiscal terms and technical arrangements for the projects would be signed in Jakarta next week.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has invited investors of New Zealand to operate in Indonesia now that the investment and business climate in this world`s largest archipelagic country has become favorable.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State Enterprises Minister Sofyan Djalil said here on Wednesday the government would continue to pursue its 10,000 megawatt power plant project despite existing hindrances. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Sofyan said there were still problems hindering the project`s implementation . "The primary problem is financing. But, in principle, the government will continue its efforts to realize the plan," he said.

Record-high palm oil prices due to voracious global demand for the oil used for food and now increasingly as a biofuel have left many ordinary Indonesians without their usual culinary fare. Palm oil-derived cooking oil is a staple in the Indonesian pantry. It is used to fry many of the spicy dishes that are part of the local cuisine. But the high price of oil has forced millions of poor Indonesians to eat their food boiled instead of fried.