A recovery in the fairly depressed property sector, which was hit this year by the global financial downturn, will be spearheaded by the office market next year, a survey by a property consultant shows. Global property consultant Jones Lang LaSalle unveiled its latest survey Wednesday, saying the office market in Jakarta - in particular in the central business district (CBD) - and nationally would rebound at the beginning of next year and lead to a recovery in the overall sector.

Economic ministers held their last meeting Wednesday and left plenty of homework for their successors, with unresolved problems ranging from boosting infrastructure, reform of the bureaucracy, to revitalizing the real sector.

President-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s decision to include basic infrastructure development as key programs of action for the first 100 days of his government is a strategic move given our huge infrastructure deficit.

The House of Representatives (DPR) for the 2009 - 2014 term is planning to revise Law No. 22 / 2001 on Oil and Natural Gas because it is viewed to be no longer suitable in light of latest developments in the oil and gas industry. DPR member Airlanga Hartarto in a discussion on Tuesday said revision of the law was one of the recommendations issued by the Special Fuel Oil Inquiry Committee of the House of Representatives some time ago.

French-based retail giant Carrefour has questioned the results of a Business Competition Supervisory Commission's (KPPU) study one month before the commission issues a verdict on the firm’s alleged monopolistic practices. The KPPU has begun investigating the allegedly unfair business practices carried out by Carrefour in the country’s retail sector following its acquisition of supermarket operator PT Alfa Retailindo.

– The opportunity for investors to launch new supermarkets in Surakarta is still open. “If they want to open supermarkets in the northern area, we can still grant them permits,” said Surakarta Mayor, Joko Widodo, yesterday. He said the current economic and development activities are still concentrated in southern Surakarta, which is closer to the city centre. As a result, the northern part of the Surakarta is lagging behind.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government plans to limit coal exports to 150 million tons per year in order to ensure fulfillment of increasing domestic demand, a minister said here on Wednesday. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said domestic need for coal following the completion of the 10,000-MW power generator program would increase by 65 to 70 million tons per year.