After years of uncertainty, the central government will clarify the status of the Batam Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) by the end of this year, Riau Islands Governor Ismeth Abdullah says. Ismet said he had sent a letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, requesting an acceleration of the announcement on the status of BIDA. "The (president) will decide on BIDA's status soon, by the end of this year," he told The Jakarta Post recently.

Lawmakers have suggested a rate cut in value-added tax (VAT) in an amendment to the VAT and luxury tax law in the hope of making the country's manufacturing sector more competitive in coping with the impact of the global economic downturn. The proposal was put forward during joint deliberation between the House of Representatives' commission XI for financial affairs and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Thursday. Commission member Dradjad H.

The government will soon abolish value-added tax (VAT), luxury tax and import duties on production goods in free trade zones (FTZs) in the Riau Islands province in a bid to stimulate businesses. The provincial administration and the customs and excise directorate general have finalized a draft regulation that will eliminate these taxes and duties in these areas, according to Riau Islands governor Ismeth Abdullah.

The government will soon abolish value-added tax (VAT), luxury tax and import duties on production goods in free trade zones (FTZs) in the Riau Islands province in a bid to stimulate businesses. The provincial administration and the customs and excise directorate general have finalized a draft regulation that will eliminate these taxes and duties in these areas, according to Riau Islands governor Ismeth Abdullah.

Batam (ANTARA News) - Some companies from China, Europe and Asia were seeking opportunities of investment in Batam, as a result of batam`s participation in trade expo in Nanning, China. "Many companies from many countries are seeking the chance of investment in Batam," Batam Mayor Ahmad Dahlan said here Saturday, adding that majority of the entrepreneurs are interested in making investment in electronics industry.