Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Search Archive

Search Tips

You can use boolean operators in your search:

  • pugilist AND basketball - Both words must appear
  • jakarta OR surabaya - Either word can appear
  • jakarta NOT politics - Must have jakarta but not politics
  • +jakarta -politics - Must have jakarta, must not have politics
  • "exact phrase" - Search for exact phrase
  • basket* - Wildcard (matches basketball, basket, etc.)

Found 182 articles

Is Indonesia finally getting serious about boosting FDI?

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo is hoping to attract much-needed foreign capital through measures such as a new tax holiday scheme and plans for a "massive deregulation" of key industries. But will they be enough to lure tetchy foreign investors? Late Wednesday, the government promised quick and...

Batam is ASEAN's potential industrial zone

In the framework of boosting the countrys economic growth, Batam in Riau Islands Province can become a potential business and industrial zone in Southeast Asia, according to the Batam Management Board (BP Batam).

Jokowi orders speedy amendments in existing regulations related to business

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has discovered more than 100 regulations that could be considered unfavorable for businesses in Indonesia. These regulations must be addressed within this week, President Jokowi said while chairing a plenary cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Indonesian president treads fine line by empowering chief of staff

JAKARTA, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The biggest, and possibly riskiest, move in Indonesian President Joko Widodo's cabinet reshuffle this week was the appointment of Luhut Pandjaitan as coordinating minister for security and political affairs.

Widodo Vows Stronger Government to Tame Indonesia Corruption

Indonesian President Joko Widodo vowed to ramp up his faltering campaign against corruption, an impediment to boosting Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Widodo, 54, who on Wednesday revamped his cabinet, said he wants to strengthen government institutions to better tackle wealth inequality and...

Joko reaches for Indonesia reboot as currency pressure builds

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is rebooting. The president, known as Jokowi, revamped his economic team in a cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday as China's currency devaluation spurred further declines in the rupiah.

Indonesian parliament hails cabinet reshuffle

Welcoming President Joko Widodos move to reshuffle his working cabinet, the parliament said that it gave new hope amid the country's slowing economic growth. "It gives us new hope. The president must have evaluated the work of his ministers," House Speaker Setya Novanto said in response to the...

Searching for Indonesia’s Amartya Sen

The Indonesian government is making great strides to embrace more evidence-based policy making. Yet these policies, however forward-thinking, will have little uptake unless three key mechanisms are put in place.

Rupiah hits 17-year low

Indonesia's finance minister said he would coordinate with the central bank to "guard" bonds amid economic turmoil that saw the rupiah tumble yesterday to its lowest level since 1998. The rupiah slid 1.4 per cent, the most since Dec 15, to close at 13,788 a US dollar, prices from local banks show.

Indonesia Oil and Gas Industry Fast Declining

The country is on the verge of an Indonesia oil and gas crisis, according to industry players and observers. The Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) revealed that Indonesia oil and gas production has been continuously declining, which, coupled with the ever-increasing oil demand, could lead to...

Indonesia's emerging market has stopped emerging

Indonesia has come a long way since Oct. 20, when Joko Widodo was sworn in as president. Unfortunately, the distance the country has traveled has been in the wrong direction. Expectations were that Widodo, known as Jokowi, would accelerate the reforms of predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono - -...

Indonesian alcohol market faces price headache after tariff hike

JAKARTA: A steep increase in Indonesia’s import tariffs on wine and spirits could more than double prices that were sky-high already, denting demand and raising the risk of smuggling, drinks industry executives say.

Jokowi struggling to boost foreign investment

JAKARTA — Red cranes hover over the vast skeleton of a 660 megawatt coal-fired power plant under construction on the dusty coast of western Java, Indonesia. The US$1 billion (S$1.38 billion) facility, majority-owned by Malaysia’s Genting Group, is set to be finished ahead of schedule next year...

Japan, China in tug of war for Indonesia attention

A competition has been sparked between two Asian giants as Japan and China both attempt to court Indonesia in an effort to boost their influence in the region. Like a chess player, Japan appears to mirror any move made by China.

Scaring off investors

The Central Java administration should address seriously the defrauding of two South Korean investors intending to set up garment and shoe factories in the province, otherwise its campaign to woo labor-intensive industries away from Jakarta and West Java, where minimum wages have risen...

Indonesia needs institutional reforms to boost growth

Over the last five years, Indonesian gross domestic product (GDP) growth peaked at 6.5 percent in the first quarter of 2011 and has steadily fallen to 4.71 percent in the first quarter of 2015. Growth slid further in the second quarter to 4.

Indonesian economic growth continues decline as Q2 figures show drop to 2009 levels

The Indonesian economy has logged another quarter of growth below 5 per cent, underscoring the difficulty facing a new president who had pledged to boost economic activity and jobs in South-East Asia's largest economy.

Will Jokowi restrict imports even further?

Amid the impending Asean single market, Indonesia is moving in an opposite, protectionist direction Indonesia's recent economic policy pronouncements indicate that the country will become increasingly protectionist as President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's government heads for its second year.

Indonesia's GDP growth slows

Indonesia's economic growth in the second quarter dropped to its slowest since 2009, with prices for commodity and energy exports remaining weak and President Joko Widodo unable to push badly needed infrastructure projects past bureaucratic snarls. Southeast Asia's largest economy expanded 4.

Australia-Indonesia partnership lacks genuine resilience

Officials in more than 20 federal agencies partnering with Indonesia have failed to bring the Australian public with them, says DFAT secretary Peter Varghese. Cooperation between the two countries, such as anti-terrorism and education, would better survive policy differences if ballasted by...

Legislator cautions government over sluggish economic condition

The Indonesian government should be wary of the current sluggish economic condition that could trigger massive layoffs by companies, according to a legislator. Several companies have suffered from serious financial problems due to the ongoing sluggish economic condition, Deputy Chairman of the...

Indonesia manufacturing activity contracts for 10th month in July: PMI

[JAKARTA] Indonesia's manufacturing activity shrank for a tenth consecutive month in July as new orders fell, a private survey showed on Monday, raising prospects for a central bank interest rate cut in coming months. The Nikkei/Markit purchasing manager's index (PMI) fell to 47.3 in July from 47.

Three factors driving IoT in Southeast Asia

Gartner estimates that the internet of things (IoT) – a network of devices (things) with embedded technology enabling the transfer of data via the internet – will become a key enabling technology for digital businesses. It forecasts 4.

Growing protectionism hurting Indonesia: researchers

A report by two leading Indonesian researchers argues that growing protectionism by Indonesia President Joko Widodo's government is damaging an economy already growing at its slowest pace for the past five years.

Iranian delegations to visit Indonesia

Three Iranian delegations in progressive science and technology, banking, and oil will visit Indonesia to boost bilateral cooperation in the post sanctions era. Expectations are for the sanctions imposed on Iran to be lifted by the end of current year, and European delegations, headed by top...

Role for business on Indonesian ties

Australia's top diplomat has called on business and the public to help inject more warmth and resilience into relations with Indonesia. Diplomatic ties have hit a low point in recent years as a result of the executions of two Australian drug smugglers, asylum seeker boat turn backs, a spy scandal...

Singapore Investors Eye New Business in Batam

Singapore, GIVnews.com – Following President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo’s two-day state visit to Singapore early this week, some investors from the island state have expressed interest to develop real estates, the maritime sector and logistics zones in Batam, an hour ferry ride from Singapore.

A Way Forward for Jakarta

Less than one year into his term as Indonesian president, Joko Widodo faces a difficult set of challenges, both political and economic. The first, overseeing a cabinet reshuffle, requires some deft handling.

UK, Indonesia to strengthen economic ties

Since 2001, Singapore has consistently been among the top five investors in Indonesia, with US$5.8bil (RM22.1bil) in investments a year ago. Singapore firms that have made major investments in Indonesia of late include Ascendas, CapitaLand, Keppel Land and Sembcorp while SMEs like Tat Wai, Cyclect,...

Jokowi to Singapore businesses: The early bird catches the worm

NOW would be the best time for Singapore businesses to invest in Indonesia if they want to profit big, as Southeast Asia's largest nation has seen a major transfer of power and confronts a commodity slump and global headwinds, says Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Indonesia lauds Singapore investment commitment

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) hailed Singapores commitment to encouraging investment in Indonesia and hoped for more, especially in the fields of infrastructure and integrated industrial zones like Batam, Bintan and Karimun.

SE Asian consumers switch to ecommerce

Economies across Southeast Asia have endured weaker growth this year. But one sector is powering ahead nevertheless: ecommerce. A surge in internet penetration has encouraged a raft of start-ups across the region.

Thermax setting up 3 plants, one in Indonesia

Thermax is setting up three manufacturing plants — two in India and one overseas. Meher Pudumjee, chairperson, Thermax, said they will be setting up an investment subsidiary in Singapore, through which it will invest in a manufacturing plant in Indonesia, which will become the regional...

What will Indonesia look like?

I have lived in Jakarta for quite a while now. I guess I was always naive and thought that Indonesia would be like Singapore; blossoming into a Western liberal democracy. But the pixels are starting to come together and form a totally different picture.

Best time to invest in Indonesia is now, says President Joko Widodo

SINGAPORE - Indonesia is at the end of a commodities boom and in the midst of a "cyclical downturn", but investors who brave uncertainty and venture early into the country will "reap great profit", Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Tuesday.

Insight: Making Freeport Indonesia more Indonesian

If we look deeper into the context of PT Freeport Indonesia’s contract amendment, it is related to the issuance of the 2009 Mining Law. The law obliges mining companies to process their mining products in this country before exporting them, but Freeport had been in operation and was bound by a...

Singapore, Indonesia reaffirm commitment to strengthen ties

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Indonesia's President Joko Widodo on Tuesday (Jul 28) reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen ties between both countries. Mr Widodo is on his first official visit to Singapore, since taking office in October last year.

Industrial estate development may take longer than planned

Indonesia’s ambition to massively develop industrial estates across the country may take longer than expected as it is hampered by inadequate infrastructure and vast geographical distances, an industrial official says.

Widodo wants China to build Indonesia into Asia production base

Indonesian president Joko Widodo expressed on Monday his hope that China will build Indonesia into an Asian production base with ever increasing economic cooperation between the two countries. Widodo made his statement during a meeting with the visiting chairman of the National Committee of the...

Investment up despite slowdown

Realized investments showed a significant increase in the first half of this year as foreign direct investment (FDI) continued flowing into the country’s despite the global economic slowdown, according to the government’s latest investment figures.

Jakarta raises import taxes for more than 1,000 items

With the economy slowing and retail sales falling, Indonesia yesterday raised import tariffs on more than a thousand items covering many consumer goods such as clothes, food and cars. The decision is likely to make some Indonesians shift to having coffee at a local shop over Starbucks and drive...

Palm Oil Is In Everything -- And It's Destroying Southeast Asia's Forests

It was late evening. The skies were dark and dogs were howling. Into the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue Center on the island of Borneo rushed a rescue worker cradling a tiny bundle in his arms. He handed over the precious package to the manager on duty.

Defying illegal status, Indonesia's motorcycle taxis ply roads of Jakarta

JAKARTA: Manoeuvring through rush hour traffic in a city which has some of the world's worst traffic jams is a challenge for millions of residents living in Jakarta. So companies offering transport services to the public via smartphone applications are a welcome alternative.

Indonesia tops region's FDI despite sluggish growth

As Southeast Asian nations count down to the formation of an integrated economic community later this year, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows remain high in anticipation of more business opportunities.

Indonesian construction works delayed

"Delays: A general view of Jakarta’s mass rapid transit construction site on a busy street in Jakarta. Investors hoping for President Jokowi to speed up infrastructure works have been disappointed by delays.

Indonesia to fall short on tax revenue targets

Indonesia is set to miss ambitious tax revenue targets this year, according to the country’s finance minister, as the new government comes under pressure to raise public spending and revive growth in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The administration will undershoot its Rp1,294tn ($96.

Indonesia online commerce to touch $25b by 2016

Indonesia online commerce could be be worth Rp300 trillion ($25 billion) by 2016, almost three times that the online shopping market in 2013 which was worth $8 billion. This was revealed in a joint report released by idEA, Google Indonesia, and Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS).

Indonesia's central bank says rupiah is slightly undervalued

Indonesia's rupiah currency is slightly weaker than it should be, the central bank governor said on Friday. "At this time the rupiah is slightly undervalued," Governor Agus Martowardojo told reporters, adding that the central bank "will always be in the market but we are not maintaining the rupiah...

Indonesia Water Purifiers Market Forecast and Opportunities

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/hg4z7f/indonesia_water) has announced the addition of the "Indonesia Water Purifiers Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2020" report to their offering.

Carmakers struggle amid Indonesian sales slump

Japanese automakers are sticking to their targets in Indonesia in defiance of the longest sales decline in six years, resorting to steep discounts to entice tight-spending consumers into showrooms that remain stubbornly empty.