As Indonesia is today the world’s largest producer of crude palm oil (CPO) - a desirable feedstock for biodiesel production - it has the potential to grow into a world biodiesel leader and a model for plantation sustainability. Biodiesel has the potential to become a significant industry sector in Indonesia, supported by two of its most valuable assets: its oil palm plantations, and more importantly, its people.

Senior editor Manggi Habir recently met up with Gita Wirjawan in his new position as head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and talked about his strategy and plans going forward. Question: What is your investment strategy when you came into the BKPM? Answer: Let me answer that question by explaining what I call my investment philosophy. The first one is to go after the low hanging fruits, which are easy to get and this is the natural resources sector.

From http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=5801 Blue Bird Taxi Responds to Illegal Operation Claims Blue Bird Insists their Bali Taxi Fleet Operating in Accordance with the Law. (2/7/2010) The Blue Bird Taxi Group has responded vigorously to island officials and legislators who are accusing the 500-car taxi service in Bali of operating without the required licenses and permits.

Editorial: Changes in Land Ownership Rules Now Under Consideration May Threaten Bali's Culture and Heritage. (2/2/2010) The Indonesian press has been awash with news of a promised change in property laws that, if approved, would allow foreign nationals to lease land for 75 years. The response to the proposed regulation has earned enthusiastic praise from the national property sector.

Economists are predicting that fourth-quarter GDP growth will be well above Bank Indonesia’s forecast due to strong domestic consumption and a rebound in exports. A Jakarta Globe survey of economists at six local banks and research institutes found an average forecast of 5.2 percent for year-on-year fourth-quarter GDP growth, and 4.47 percent for full-year growth.

The government is aiming to attract less than Rp 100 trillion (US$10.6 billion) in investment through the development of three special economic zones (SEZs) producing agricultural products this year. The three zones will be located in Medan, North Sumatra, in Dumai, Riau, and in Merauke, Papua, Vice Agriculture Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi said Friday at the Coordinating Economic Ministry. Medan, which produces crude palm oil (CPO), may attract Rp 12.5 trillion in investment, he said.

The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) recently reported the Indonesian export performance for December 2009. This report defied a lot of expectations since the Indonesian exports in December 2009 reached US$13.33 billion, setting an all-time record. With this performance, total exports for the whole year reached $116.49 billion, a decline of almost 15 percent from the performance of the preceding year.

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: East Kalimantan will launch a new power plant which will reduce electricy deficit in the second largest city in the province, Balikpapan. East Kalimantan Governor Awang Faroek Ishak will officiate the 80 Megawatt diesel power plant in Batakan, Balikpapan, which is part of the first batch of national 10,000 megawatt power plant projects.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will in the next five years focus its ties with Japan by raising the flow of Japanese investment to Indonesia in the wake of the global economic crisis, an envoy said. The signing of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership for Peaceful and Prosperous Future in 2006 and the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA) in 2007 has laid a firm basis for the promotion of bilateral relations, Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Jusuf Anwar said here on Saturday.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government expects the country`s credit growth to reach 20 percent this year to boost investment and exports, a minister said. Speaking to the press here on Friday, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa expected all banking credits this year could be disbursed to support economic growth.