The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a bid to boost trade among regions, the Transportation Ministry is setting aside Rp 8 trillion (US$707 million) in the state budget to construct and develop ports and a shipping navigation system next year. In the initial spending stage, the ministry's directorate general for sea transportation will receive Rp 4.36 trillion, extendible to Rp 8 trillion, the ministry announced recently.

New Zealand's proposal for Indonesia to scrap tariffs on imported meat and dairy products will not benefit the development of Indonesia's dairy and meat industries, Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono says. "If that's the case (about what New Zealand has offered), it is too few, too little," Anton told The Jakarta Post via text message Tuesday.

Investors in the Banyuwangi province in East Java have been reluctant to use Tanjung Wangi as an alternative seaport for exports and imports despite a efforts by the government to promote the port. Chairman of the East Java provincial branch of Indonesian Trade and Commerce (Kadin) Erlangga said the absence of reliable, fixed schedules for cargo ships and generally poor service at the seaport did not assure traders that their goods would be handled properly and efficiently.

No mention of Bali for beverages then? And I suppose Kalimantan does not import anything anyway!

Mining firms operating in Indonesia will no longer be able to extract and directly export unprocessed ore, but instead will have to refine it locally before shipping it abroad, according to a provision of the mining law passed by the House of Representatives, or DPR, on Tuesday. The new rules are intended to encourage the development of Indonesia’s smelting industry in order to increase the value of mineral exports.

CHIANG MAI - The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) launched a new joint charter on Monday that establishes mutual rules and commitments, moving the 41-year-old grouping one step closer to becoming a unified economic bloc.

Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu bowed Monday to pressure for an immediate limitation on the entry of five categories of goods into certain ports and airports by issuing a revised policy that will take place on Jan. 1. Under the policy, five categories of goods including garments, footwear, toys, electronics, food and beverages can henceforth only enter the country through five designated ports and certain international airports.

Marred by protests and walkouts by several factions, legislators on Tuesday ended years of deliberation to endorse the contentious mining bill that includes provisions on revising the permit system and advocating a review of all existing contracts. Under the bill, the permit system will take the form of a license to replace the current contract of work (COW) scheme - something business players have objected to, saying licenses were more easily revoked than a binding contract.

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Train Director-General Wendy Aritenang said seven domestic and international investors have submitted their proposal to take part in the 3.27 kilometer train project linking Jakarta to the Sukarno-Hatta- airport train. Three investors came from India, France, and Japan while the other four are local companies, including Railink and Primarail. RaiLink is a joint venture of the state-owned Railway Company and PT Angkasa Pura II.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian micro-, small-and medium-sized businesses (UMKMa) provide 99 percent of total employment in the country accomodating up to 90 percent of the country's workers, a national development planning official said.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia plans to open 11 new Indonesian Trade Promotion Centers (ITPC) abroad at the end of this year, the head of the National Export Development Agency (BPEN), Bachrul Chairi, said here on Tuesday. The new ITPCs are located in Shanghai (China), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Mexico City (Mexico), Chicago (the US), Busan (South Korea), Chennai (India), Barcelona (Spain), Lyon (France), Santiago (Chili), Vancouver (Canada) and Lagos (Nigeria).