Indonesia will ramp-up its diplomacy efforts to counter the possibility of increasing global trade protectionism policies, the Trade Ministry said on Friday. “Trade attaches have been requested to report to us what governments are doing in response to the financial crisis,” said Trade Minister Marie Elka Pangestu. “We have to anticipate the possibility of increasing protectionist policies,” she said. “If they did, it would impact on us too.

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung The Indonesian subsidiary of Malaysia's budget carrier Air Asia is planning to open at least 10 international routes in Indonesia this year to help reach its target of carrying 3.5 million passengers from Southeast Asia's largest economy.