We rarely write about Indonesia in the Eye on Asia blog, and when we do, it’s usually prompted by bad news. Well, today’s posting will continue in that tradition I’m afraid, because there have been two unfortunate developments so far this week: the arrest of the country’s head of...

Waiting for new foreign investment announcements in Indonesia is like waiting for a London bus. Nothing comes for ages and then a flood arrives.This week France’s Eramet and Mitsubishi of Japan announced a $4.6bn nickel project in Indonesia with Antam, a local company.

Asia Pulse Pte LtdIndonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhohono said the government has set itself the target of attracting US$16.6 billion in investment in the oil and gas sector this year."Investment in Indonesia is still attractive to business players.

The 12 new oil and natural gas mining contracts awarded by the Indonesian government on Tuesday should be confidence-building deals for the country’s hydrocarbon industry at a time when the global credit crunch and sharp economic downturn have forced many oil firms to defer investment.

The Indonesian Seed Producers Association, or Asbenindo, wants the government to amend the law on the commercial distribution of seeds of newly developed horticultural varieties, arguing that its onerous requirements hamper innovation.