Indonesian president Joko Widodo has unveiled a series of stimulus measures to lift slowing growth in South-East Asia's top economy and shore up the country's plunging currency. In a televised address, Mr Widodo was joined by key policymakers to announce a broad range of measures including the slashing of red tape to woo investors, moves to bolster the rupiah and programs to help the poor.

A new Indonesian push to attract foreign investors was generally welcomed on Thursday, though one particular irritant to them remains: rules aimed at curbing the foreign workforce to protect local jobs. Those rules, introduced in June by the labor ministry, seem to be at odds with President Joko Widodo's investment- friendly agenda, which he bolstered Wednesday with plans to ease investment barriers to business.