PS. I'm in Jakarta now.

As a six-year-old schoolboy, US President Barack Obama played barefoot in Jakarta’s narrow dirt lanes. Electricity was scarce, water was drawn from wells and a dictator ruled the vast, resource-rich archipelago. Nearly four decades later, Mr Obama is on the eve of his first trip back to Indonesia since becoming president.

Indonesia faces four major obstacles that are stopping investors from spending money here, Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Radjasa says. “We have to focus on resolving these four problems,” Hatta told journalists on Wednesday. These problems include a lack of infrastructure, overlapping regulations, and corruption, he said. For example, before investors could begin their work, they were already being burdened with official fees, he said.

VIVAnews - Indonesia and China are committed to hold a partnership on the economy particularly an investment on infrastructure. According to Deputy Chairperson of the People's Consultative Council (MPR) and Functional Group (Golkar) Party Faction, Hajrianto Thohari, details as to the result of the discussion are still in the vague. "Further talks will involve the government," he said today, Nov 9.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Industry Ministry has projected US investment in Indonesia will hit a record high of US$1 billion in the next few years following President Barack Obama`s visit to the country on Nov 9-10. "US investment in Indonesia is relatively small compared to that of other Asian countries, such as Japan and South Korea. I hope it could increase following Obama`s visit," Industry Minister MS Hidayat said here on Monday.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is preparing an Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification as a guideline for environmentally friendly oil palm plantations in the country. "Indonesia is currently preparing a guidance for developing sustainable oil palm plantations in line with the existing regulations in Indonesia," Mukti Sarjono, director of the agriculture ministry`s estate crops, said here Tuesday in his opening speech at the Annual Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) 2010.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Visiting US President Barack Obama said the US wants to become Indonesia`s biggest trade partner and investor. He made the statement at a joint press conference with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono after holding a bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace here on Tuesday. Right now the US was Indonesia`s third biggest trade partner and investor with trade between the two countries reaching US$21 billion in 2008.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - US investment in Indonesia grew rapidly to US$871 million until the third quarter of this year, a minister said. "Until the third quarter of 2010 (US investment) reached US$871 million, meaning that US investment outside the oil and gas sector grew rapidly," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said here on Tuesday.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The United States` President Barack Obama`s visit to Indonesia is a chance for both countries to increase their economic ties, a chamber official said. "The visit can be an encouragement. We can utilize the visit to convince business players there that Indonesia is an interesting investment destination," Suryo Bambang Sulistyo, chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), said here on Tuesday.

Tanjungpinang, Kepulauan Riau (ANTARA News) - A few Taiwanese businesspeople are to explore possibilities of investing in fisheries in Lingga district, Riau province, a local businessman said. "The Taiwanese investors are very serious and tomorrow they will look at the potentials in Lingga ," Bobby Jayanto, chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin)`s Tanjungpinang branch, said here Wednesday.