The Trade Ministry recently disbursed Rp 66 billion to fund the country's international export promotions. The fund, said to be channeled through the National Export Development Agency (BPEN), would be used in the ministry's trade exhibitions at home and abroad, which includes an expo in Paris, France.

The latest report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) shows that Indonesia's global competitiveness is not yet improving while the United States remains a top performer despite being shackled by the worst financial clout since the great depression. Regardless various attempts by the government in reforming the bureacracy and infrastructure, Indonesia ranks 55th among 134 economies surveyed by WEF this year, down one notch from last year's position in the WEF Global Competitiveness Index report.

Wednesday, 08 October, 2008 | 18:56 WIB TEMPO Interactive, Bandung:West Java governor Ahmad Heryawan said his province will become one of the many regions targeted by the Binladin Group for investment. The Saudi Arabian company is interested in investing in food production. Heryawan confirmed this after his meeting with Indonesian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Salim Segaf al-Jufri at the Pakuan building in Bandung yesterday. “Their request was very specific, which is food,” Heryawan said.