Aditya Suharmoko, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the government seeks to boost domestic industry in anticipation of a U.S. recession, businesses in turn want an increased effort made to reduce costs, help diversify export destinations, boost bank loans and empower small and medium firms.

Tuesday, 21 October, 2008 | 11:52 WIBTEMPO Interactive, Balikpapan: The number of residents in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, increases by about 1,500 people every month.The newcomers usually are from Java and Sulawesi.

HSBC Holdings announced in London on Monday it would acquire majority ownership of Indonesia-based Bank Ekonomi for US$607.5 million, as a step toward doubling its presence in the country.HSBC would acquire a 38.84 share in Ekonomi from PT Lumbung Artakencana, 38.

Ika Krismantari, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAnalysts have predicted that the growth of the cell phone business in the country will not last much longer, with a downturn expected to hit the market in the next two or three years, as it will have become a saturated market.

Monday, 20 October, 2008 | 18:43 WIBTEMPO Interactive, Yogyakarta:The global financial crisis has made the Yogyakarta Tourism Board seek new ways to bring tourists to its city. The board is determined to lure more visitors from Australia, Eastern Europe and South Africa.

Monday, 20 October, 2008 | 18:46 WIBTEMPO Interactive, Singapore:Indonesians are still very much the target of the Singapore property sector. Property buyers from Indonesia are currently in second place after Malaysia.

Mustaqim Adamrah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Industry Ministry seeks to decrease rattan exports to help ensure supply for the local furniture industry.Benny Wahyudi, the ministry's director general for agriculture and chemical industries, said last week the ministry was in the process of...