Introduction to business, world year-end stories

More than six years after the economic crisis hammered Indonesia and other countries in the region, the nation's economy is still struggling to make a full recovery as the rebuilding process remains slow.

While progress is apparent in some macroeconomic indicators -- the stable rupiah, lower inflation and a steady decline in interest rates -- improvement in other areas, like the unemployment and poverty indices, remain hard to come by. While most sectors of the economy remained in the doldrums this year, others showed some encouraging signs of improvement.

This is the second edition of Review 2003. Friday's edition focused on the National scene and Jakarta, with today's being on the performance of several business sectors, and the World scene.

Other year-end stories that will follow:

Monday, Dec. 29 : Features and Sports

Tuesday, Dec. 30 : Outlook 2004

Wednesday, Dec. 31 : Outlook 2004