Indonesia Morning News For October 30

Tax office allays concerns
The Finance Ministry’s Taxation Directorate General is in the spotlight over accusations that it is threatening hundreds of companies, including major foreign-owned ones, as the cash-strapped government is in dire need of more revenue.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia’s Economy May Beat Expectations, Finance Minister Says
Indonesia’s finance minister said Southeast Asia’s biggest economy could expand at a faster pace next year than initially forecast.
— Bloomberg

Indonesia lowers Bali volcano alert status
Indonesian authorities on Sunday lowered the alert status of the Mount Agung volcano on the holiday island of Bali, whose rumblings last month forced around 133,000 residents to flee and deterred tourism in the area.
— Reuters/Business Insider

Jakarta aggrieved by China’s ban on Indonesian mangosteens
Indonesia is experiencing friction with its largest trading partner, China, over access to the Chinese market for its mangosteens.
— Asia Times

Indonesia Court Upholds Seizure of Illegal Fishing Vessel
Indonesia says it has won a two-year court battle that confirms the legality of the government’s seizure of a Thai vessel linked to human trafficking and illegal fishing in Indonesian waters.
— US News & World Report

Realization of oil, gas investment far away from target
Head of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKKMigas) Amien Sunaryadi said that the shortfall in the realization of the oil and gas investment was caused by financial problems faced by the oil and gas contractors.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia, Freeport still differ on valuation, other issues
The Indonesian government and Freeport McMoran, a parent company of gold and copper miner PT Freeport Indonesia, have not reached an agreement on several issues, including the valuation of the company’s shares.
— The Jakarta Post

India beats Indonesia to become Honda’s No 1 market in Asia Oceania
India has become the largest market in terms of retail sales for Japanese auto major Honda in the Asia Oceania region in the first half of this fiscal and the company is looking to build on the momentum, according to a senior company official.
— Business Standard

Mitsubishi FUSO organizes ongoing product awareness campaign
PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors (KTB), the authorized distributor of Mitsubishi FUSO Truck & Bus Corporation (MFTBC), is currently organizing its regular product awareness campaign called ‘Truck Campaign’ from September to November 2017, hosting 55 different events across 36 cities in Indonesia.
— The Jakarta Post

Citilink Indonesia Opens Routes from Semarang to Palembang, Banjarmasin
Citilink Indonesia, subsidiary of state-owned aviation company Garuda Indonesia (GIAA.JK) has opened two new direct flight routes from Semarang, Central Java, to Palembang (South Sumatera) and Banjarmasin (South Kalimantan).
— Neutral News

Commerce Ministry Boosts Processed Food Exports to South Korea
Indonesia’s processed foods continue to swarm the South Korean market. In the first half of 2017, the export of this product increased by 43.81 percent compared to the same period last year to $57.05 million.
— Netral News

Silangit Airport officially opened for international flights
Siborong-borong, North Sumatra (ANTARA News) – Silangit Airport in Siborong-borong, North Tapanuli, North Sumatra, was officially opened as an international airport here on Saturday, marked by the arrival of a Garuda flight from Changi airport in Singapore.
— Antara

Meikarta Creates Jobs, Brings Long-Term Positive Impacts: Minister
Indonesia’s Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Panjaitan said he wants the public to welcome change and ready themselves for more of them to improve standards of living in the long run.
— Jakarta Globe

North Maluku resumes fish exports after 17 years
North Maluku has resumed fish exports after nearly two decades, with the first shipment of baked fish leaving the province earlier this week.
— The Jakarta Post

Jokowi Supports Food Trucks, Inviting Young Entrepreneurs to Bogor Palace
Food and beverage outlets utilizing modified vehicles or food trucks are popular today.
— Netral News

Garuda`s profit climbs 216 percent to $61.9 million
National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia saw its net profit skyrocketing 216.1 percent to US$61.9 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period last year.
— Antara

Aprindo: Unlike Online Stores, Offline Retailers Spend Less Money for Advertising
Online advertising (ad) spending apparently is bigger than retail ad spending. Referring to the results of monitoring of television commercial (TVC) by Adstensity, the money spent by offline retail companies throughout January-September 2017 was only IDR40.41 billion compared to online retail companies which reached IDR1.2 trillion.
— Netral News

Indonesia in Singapore’s International Tourism Trade Show
Indonesia is currently taking part in the International Tourism Bourse, or ITB, Asia 2017 trade show at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, from Tuesday (24/10) until Friday.
— Jakarta Globe

Feature photo Asian Development Bank
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Indonesia morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Indonesia news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities and is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.