Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) for Monetary and Fiscal Committee, Bambang Soesatyo said efforts must be made to increase the absorption capacity of domestic market in facing the impact of global economic crisis. "In the current economic crisis conditions we have to give priority to increasing the absorption capacity of domestic market," he said here on Tuesday.

Ika Krismantari, Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a clear sign of a slowdown, investment in the country's industrial sector is forecast to drop by 18 percent this year, from a year earlier, with a further decline expected next year as the impact of the global economic downturn peaks.

Alfian, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Oil and gas contractors have proposed to the regulator to spend up to US$13.15 billion on investment in exploration and production in 2009. These investment plans were submitted to BPMigas through the companies' 2009's working and budget programs, BPMigas's chairman R. Priyono told reporters and industry players Tuesday.

Katherine Hermawan, Analyst The recent drop in the market price of coal from its record levels earlier this year will adversely impact earnings of Indonesian coal producers. Based on this factor, going forward, we expect weaker coal prices in line with the downtrend in oil prices, while higher supplies are expected on China's higher exports as domestic consumption slows. Our view on possible lower coal prices is supported by the recent continuous drop in prices.

Which number would you like to have for next year's total tourism visit projection? Would it be 6.2 million, 6.4, 6.5, or even 8 million? These are the choices you get when the government sets a target for expected visitors to the country in 2009. Last Thursday, the director general of marketing for the ministry of culture and tourism Sapta Nirwandar was very optimistic with the 8 million figure. "The industry was a crisis-proof one," he claimed at that time.

Investment in Indonesia is predicted to total $17 billion in 2009, Muhammad Lutfi, the chairman of the country’s investment board said, lower than an earlier target of around $20 billion due to the global economic crisis. Analysts have warned that the country, which is a major exporter of commodities such as palm oil and rubber, could see a slowdown on the back of a slide in commodity prices. Lutfi said the board would focus on boosting investment in agribusiness, energy and agriculture.

State-owned PT Bahana TCW Investment Management is offering a limited-placement mutual fund aimed at raising Rp 325 billion ($29.9 million) to finance the development of an East Kalimantan supply base for mining logistics. Dwina S. Wijaya, president of Bahana TCW, said on Tuesday that the fund, Bahana Private Equity Pelabuhan, is the first instrument in the country to offer investors the chance to buy into the real sector.

Muhamad Al Azhari As parts of its effort to boost international trade efficiency, the government on Tuesday launched the third phase of the “National Single Window” program, or NSW, an online system which may enable traders to submit necessary documents and obtain clearance from a wider array of government agencies.