JAKARTA - INDONESIA'S new tax chief said on Monday he would take a tough stance against tax-dodgers in order to raise tax revenues, adding that the largest tax case in Southeast Asia's biggest economy will come to court soon. Mr Mochamad Tjiptardjo, who took over as head of the tax department last month, must boost tax revenues significantly to meet the government's ambitious target in a country where tax evasion has been routine.

The Jakarta Post, SINGAPORE Equinix, a global data management centre provider, is expanding its business in Asia due to the rapid growth of information technology. The US-based company has established Singapore as its IT hub for companies in Southeast Asia to connect regionally and globally. It also has other hubs in the region, including in Hong Kong and Japan.

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesian Trade Minister, Mari Elka Pangestu, held a bilateral meeting with Korean Trade Minister, Kim Jong Hoon, to discuss bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues. The meeting was held after Mari Elka attended the funeral of the late former Korean President, Kim Dae-Jung. A press release issued by the Trade Department stated that both ministers discussed efforts to increase trade and investment activities.

The country’s two established heavy equipment suppliers now have a competitor in the form of Indian firm Bharat Earth Movers, which has set up an operation in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. Bharat’s total investment, including a basic assembly plant and after-sales service network, is expected to reach an estimated $44 million.

Funding the future: Industry Minister Fahmi Idris (right) with a delegation from China’s Henan province led by Governor Guo Gengmao at a meeting at the Industry Ministry in Jakarta. Six agreements worth US$200 million were signed. JP/R. Berto WedhatamaFunding the future: Industry Minister Fahmi Idris (right) with a delegation from China’s Henan province led by Governor Guo Gengmao at a meeting at the Industry Ministry in Jakarta. Six agreements worth US$200 million were signed. JP/R.

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Finance Department told lawmakers on Monday that the government should raise its concern and alert over the latest investment data released by the State Statistics Agency. In a hearing at the parliament's office on Monday, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani said actual investments figures in the second quarter this year had missed the projections by more than 2 percent.

The new electricity bill will give full authority to regional administrations whose regions are outside state power company PT PLN's current service areas to issue licenses to local companies to provide electricity, The Jakarta Post reported.

The Communications and Information Minister on Wednesday named eight operators of broadband wireless access (BWA) in 15 zones across the country, Asia Pulse reported. Development of high speed BWA is expected to result in lower internet tariffs, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Anindya Bakrie said. Bakrie said demand for internet service is expected to grow faster in the coming years marked with growing numbers of subscribers and users.