Indonesia Morning News For May 19

Indonesia And UAE Talk $5 Billion Energy Partnership
Talks between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates could bring the launch of a $5 billion energy project, according to news from a recent meeting between Indonesian President Joko Widodo and UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazrouei.
– Oil Price

Indonesia‘s Carmakers Take Aim at Australian Market
When Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Toyota Indonesia vice president Warih Andang Tjahjono recently, one of the main topics of discussion was Indonesia’s export potential, with the country’s leader urging Toyota to try to ship more cars abroad.
– Netral English

Bank Indonesia Predicts 5.1 Percent Growth
The Governor of Bank Indonesia Agus Martowarojo has predicted 5.1 percent growth in the second quarter of 2017. If achieved, he said, the second and third quarter may see 5.2 percent growth. “The first quarter also grew higher compared to the previous one,” he said after the meeting of Bank Indonesia Governor Council.
– TEMPO

China‘s Positive Response to Indonesia‘s Investment Offer
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said China had given positive response to investment project offered by Indonesia at the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)forum earlier this week in Beijing.
– Netral English

Telkomsigma enters public cloud business to take on Amazon
Telkom Indonesia’s IT subsidiary, PT Sigma Citra Caraka, also known as Telkomsigma, has entered the public cloud business under the Star Cloud brand.
– The Jakarta Post

The Investment Protection UAE Proposes Indonesia to Adopt
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has discussed efforts to increase cooperation in the energy sector worth up to US$5 billion with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Energy Minister Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazrouei.
– Netral English

How Ambitious is UAE to Manage Pertamina‘s Oil, Gas Fields?
United Arab Emirates has expressed interest in cooperating with state oil and gas company Pertamina in managing oil and gas fields, the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said.
– Netral English

Investments in Logistics Increase Despite Declining Financing
The decline in the logistic sector financing appears to have insignificant impacts on investments in infrastructure projects.
– TEMPO

Jakarta MRT Construction on Schedule
The construction of Jakarta’s first underground railway system goes as planned, the company behind the project, Mass Rapid Transit Jakarta, said on Wednesday (17/05).
– Jakarta Globe

Sri Mulyani: It Means Internationally Bank Secrecy Has Ended
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati confirmed here on Thursday that the minimum account balance to be reported under the Austomatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) has been set at US$250,000.
– Netral English

2017 a Good Year for IPO in Indonesia
Initial public offerings are set to bounce back at the Indonesia Stock Exchange this year, with investors anticipating huge offerings in the second half thanks to a more confident market taking cues from improving macroeconomic conditions.
– Jakarta Globe

Govt to Exchange Rubber for Russian Sukhoi
The government announced a plan to exchange rubber commodity for Russian Sukhoi jet fighters. Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita confirmed that he has asked the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to accompany the government throughout the deal with Russia.
– TEMPO

Why Indonesia Becomes That Important to Japan
Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masafumi ISHII has stated that Indonesia is important for Japan as both countries have close relations.
– Netral English

Indonesia promises its neighbours a haze-free year
Indonesia yesterday promised its neighbours a haze-free year, saying new measures to combat forest fires should stop the polluting smoke wafting across Southeast Asia.
– MALAY MAIL ONLINE

Bank Indonesia Keeps Benchmark Rate at 4.75% to Maintain Stability
Indonesia’s central bank on Thursday (18/05) kept its benchmark interest rate where it has been since October, saying its decision was in line with efforts to maintain stability at a time of recovery for Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
– Jakarta Globe

35 New Investors Enter Capital Market, IDX Says
The IDX said that there were at least 35,000 new investors in the capital market as of mid-May. The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) Development Director Nicky Hogan said that as of the second week of May, the number of retail investors reached 570,000.
– TEMPO

Ranch Market Operator Sees Slower Sales Growth in 2017
Supra Boga Lestari, a listed upmarket groceries retailer behind Ranch Market and Farmers Market brands, braces for a slower net sales growth and lower profit this year amid fierce competition and uncertainty in domestic demand.
– Jakarta Globe

Indonesia’s biggest trade expo eyes $1.1 billion in transactions
The government hopes to seal transactions worth US$1.1 billion during Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), Indonesia’s largest trade exhibition, that will run from Oct. 11 to 15.
– The Jakarta Post

Unilever to Test New Packaging-recycling Tech in Indonesia
Consumer goods giant Unilever on Wednesday said it has opened a new facility in Indonesia as part of a pilot project for introducing a new technology for recycling sachets used to hold shampoos and other products.
– Netral English

Govt to provide 208,435 people with free Idul Fitri trips
The government plans to provide 208,435 people with free trips to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fritri in late June. Last year, the government provided various modes of transportation for 122,733 people.
– The Jakarta Post

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Indonesia Morning News For May 19 added by John Le Fevre on May 19, 2017
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John Le Fevre

Thailand editor at AEC News Today

John is an Australian national with more than 40 years experience as a journalist, photographer, videographer, and copy editor.

He has spent extensive periods of time working in Africa and throughout Southeast Asia, with stints in the Middle East, the USA, and England.

He has covered major world events including Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, the 1991 pillage in Zaire, the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the 1999 East Timor independence unrest, the 2004 Asian tsunami, and the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Bangkok political protests.

In 1995 he was a Walkley Award finalist, the highest awards in Australian journalism, for his coverage of the 1995 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) Ebola outbreak.

Prior to AEC News Today he was the deputy editor and Thailand and Greater Mekong Sub-region editor for The Establishment Post, predecessor of Asean Today.

In the mid-80s and early 90s he owned JLF Promotions, the largest above and below the line marketing and PR firm servicing the high-technology industry in Australia. It was sold in 1995.