A lack of information is stymieing government plans to auction off oil and gas fields, a senior official says. Only three of 14 fields offered by the government this year attracted investors, Evita Herawati Legowo, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s oil and gas director general, said on Monday.

The pros and cons regarding the role of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) have been discussed in an on and off manner since the group’s inception. Similar debate arose ahead of its recent eighth meeting in Jakarta from Nov. 8 to 11 and the sixth Indonesian Palm Oil Conference, held in Bali, which concluded on Dec. 3.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday inaugurated the world's biggest shrimp breeding center (broodstock) located in Bugbug village in Karangasem regency, Bali. The broodstock, having a production capacity of 675,000 shrimps per year, is expected to improve the country's competitiveness in fishery sector, with shrimp becoming the main export commodity besides seaweed and tuna.

Indonesia’s palm oil output may grow by 1.8 million metric tons to 22.8 million tons in 2011 because of increased planting, Indonesian Palm Oil Board vice chairman Derom Bangun said in on Friday. “World demand will be more than 2 million tons, maybe 3 million tons,” Bangun said in Bali.

VIVAnews - The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) authorities claimed foreign ownership in the domestic market has yet to change much within the last three years. Given the percentage of between 66 and 67 percent, foreign ownership still dominates the stock floor. IDX Managing Director Ito Warsito said the restriction to foreign capital will instead hamper the growth of the Indonesia Stock Exchange. "If there were restriction, it would be against the regulation.

Bekasi, W Java (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Appraisal Society (MAPPI) said Indonesia will need an estimated 1,000 certified appraisers in 2015 to support national economic growth. "Right now we only have 330 certified appraisers," MAPPI General Secretary Robinson Tampubolon said on the sidelines of the inauguration of the organization`s branch in Bekasi, West Java, on Monday.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s tourism is to be promoted in 2011 with emphazis on the country`s eco-cultural attractions in the hope it will draw 7.3 - 7.6 million foreign visitors, a tourism ministry spokesperson said. "After considering various factors for some time, we have decided to promote the country`s tourism by putting forward its`eco-cultural`s attractions in 2011," Esty Reko Astuty, director of promotions at the Culture and Tourism Ministry, said here Monday.