Downstream oil and gas regulator BPH Migas may allow Dutch-based oil giant Shell and Malaysia's Petronas to join state-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina in selling subsidized fuels.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia's ranking in the International Finance Corporation's (IFC) 'easiness of doing business' index has improved, reflecting the government's progress in enacting regulatory reforms, the World Bank's investment arm said Wednesday. In the IFC's Doing Business 2008 report, Indonesia ranked 123 out of 178 countries surveyed. Last year, it placed 135 out of 175 countries surveyed and in 2005, the country ranked 115 out of 155 countries polled.

Shanghai (ANTARA News) - Indonesia proposed on Tuesday the formation of a working group on trade problems resolution under the aegis of the Indonesia-China Joint Commission as an official forum for the two countries to discuss a wide range of trade and investment issues.

Banda Aceh (ANTARA News) - A Malaysian company is to build a thermal power plant in Aceh Besar district and several hydro power plants in a number of areas in Aceh under an accord signed here Tuesday. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Malaysia company`s intention was signed by Aceh Deputy Governor Muhammad Nazar and Moh. Zaini bin Abdullah, general manager of Malaysian private company SPM (System Protection and Maintenance) here Tuesday.

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The government will launch the Indonesian version of the worldwide interoperability for microwave access (Wi-MAX) in May next year on the same day with National Awakening Day on May 28. Information and Communication Minister, Muhammad Nuh, said that the Indonesian version of Wi-MAX technology is needed to lower the dependency on foreign technology.