ANZ says it will open another 10 branches in Indonesia by the end of next year. It is launching two branches today in the country's second biggest city of Surabaya. The bank now has seven branches in Indonesia, which it says is one of its highest priorities in its Asia Pacific expansion plans. It says it is introducing new products and services to the Indonesian banking sector and helping the local economy through supporting infrastructure and trade.

Mustaqim Adamrah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta India and the EU are requesting clarification from Indonesia's Industry Ministry over plan to scrap the value-added tax (VAT) on locally manufactured raw materials. The request, sent in a letter last week, comes as the Indonesian government tries support manufacturers using local raw materials, Ansari Bukhari, the ministry's director general for metal, machinery, textile and miscellaneous industries, said over the weekend.