Indonesia Morning News For January 31

New import-export policy package to ease raw material supply: Official
The government is preparing a new policy package specifically for the export and import business sectors, an official with the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister has said on Monday.
— The Jakarta Post

Pertamina hands $10bn refinery project to Omani, Japanese group
Indonesia’s state oil and gas company Pertamina on Tuesday said it will award a $10 billion refinery project in East Kalimantan province to a consortium of Omani and Japanese companies.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Indonesia’s fintech lending boom exploits shortfall in bank loans
Fintech firms, offering loans of as little as a few hundred dollars, are seeing a spike in lending in Indonesia where tens of millions of people have little or no access to bank credit – helping alleviate a financing shortfall estimated at more than $73 billion.
— The Star Online

Diversified miner Antam to cut losses and quit steel firm
State-owned diversified miner PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) is set to quit the joint venture steel processing firm Meratus Jaya Iron & Steel, claiming the company had no future after it suffered consistent losses since its establishment with state-owned steel manufacturer PT Krakatau Steel.
— The Jakarta Post

Tokopedia Wants Clarity over e-Commerce Tax Rules
Sari Kacaribu, head of public policy at online marketplace Tokopedia, asked the government to provide clarity over the Finance Minister`s Regulations` draft of taxing e-commerce businesses.
— Tempo

Telkom Indonesia acquires significant stake in Cellum
Cellum Global and Metranet, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telkom Indonesia, Indonesia’s No.1 ICT corporate group signed a strategic fintech co-operation and investment agreement Tuesday in Budapest, Hungary.
— Finextra

Jokowi initiates BI deputy governor replacement process
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has submitted three candidates for the House of Representatives to review in starting the process of replacing Bank Indonesia (BI) deputy governor Perry Warjiyo, who will be retiring in April.
— The Jakarta Post

Complicated Licensing Hampers Tourism Industry, Minister Says
Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said Indonesia`s tourism industry is hampered by licensing problems.
— Tempo

Blue economy concept can create jobs
As a model of sustainable development that concerns the use of the coastal and marine ecosystem, the blue economy concept as one of the main components of President Joko Widodo`s maritime vision can help improve employee productivity and job creation.
— Antara

Bank Bukopin eyes 15 percent growth in profits
Publicly listed lender PT Bank Bukopin is eyeing between 10 and 15 percent growth in profits this year as it expects loans to grow between 5 and 10 percent, said the lender’s president director, Eko Rachmansyah Gindo, on Monday.
— The Jakarta Post

Former Home Minister Denies Involvement in Electronic ID Graft
Former Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi denied having been involved in massive graft surrounding a project to procure electronic national identity cards, known as e-KTP, as he testified at court on Monday (29/01).
— JakartaGlobe

Stock Market Update Indonesia: Tough Day at the Office
Indonesia’s benchmark Jakarta Composite Index was down 1.76 percent to 6,563.28 points by 14:20 pm local Jakarta time on Tuesday (30/01).
— Indonesia Investment

Minister to extend ‘grace period’ for app-based transport services
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has said that the ministry will extend the deadline for drivers, operators and providers of app-based transportation services to fulfill the requirements set out in Transportation Minister Regulation No. 108 on non-route public transportation.
— The Jakarta Post

Youth Mobility Index Shows Indonesia Ranks High for Mobile Internet Advantage
To commemorate its 10th year anniversary, operator of the ‘Asia’ regional top-level-domain, today released its first annual ‘Youth Mobility Index (YMI.Asia)’ report.
— Markets Insider

Ralali.com Establishes Wholesale Delivery Agreement with ARK Xpress
In order to strengthen its B2B market in Indonesia, Ralali.com continuously strives to assist business owners who purchase large quantities or wholesale.
— Netral News

Most Indonesians Shop Online During Office Hours
A research conducted by iPrice Group showed that the peak hours for people ordering items on online shops takes place at 11:00 a.m.
— Tempo

Indonesia working on dollar-denominated ‘green’ sukuk issue
Indonesia is working towards a US dollar-denominated “green”, sukuk bond, Indonesia’s finance minister said on Monday.
— Gulf Times

Bali to Hold Massive Scale Waste Cleanup
The One Island One Voice campaign will once again hold Bali’s largest cleanup on February 24.
— Tempo

Indonesians Still Prefer Implant Contraception
The North Konawe Regency of South East Sulawesi’s Population and Family Planning Office noted the number of new family planning participants in the area in 2017 amounted to 3,020 patients or 149.1 percent of the target.
— Netral News

Feature photo Ilya Yakubovich

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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.