Thursday, February 25, 2010
Dual Citizenship Deadline Looms for Transnational Generation
The 2006 Citizenship Law has enabled transnational couples to apply for dual citizenship for their children. Before the law was introduced, children of Indonesian mothers and foreign fathers were automatically registered as citizens of their father's country. As a result, parents were forced to extend temporary residence permits for their children, a time-consuming and problematic process.

RI Can Do So Much Better, Says World Bank
Despite Indonesia weathering the global financial crisis better than many Asian countries, it still fell behind in attracting foreign investment, the World Bank says.

Banks Agree to Cut Borrowing Rates to Boost Growth: Minister
The banks will reduce lending rates gradually to help expansion of the real sector in support of the 5.5 percent economic growth expected by the government this year, officials said.

Healthcare, Education to be Open for More Foreign Investment
Indonesia is inviting more foreign investment into the healthcare and education sectors in a bid to improve services as well as the quality of Indonesian human resources, according to Investment Coordinating Board chairman Gita Wirjawan.

BKPM Regains Past Status as a 'One Stop Shop'
The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has regained some of its past role in the areas of investment licensing, amendments to the negative list and preparation of the country's investment road map.

RI, UNEP Launch 'Blue Carbon' Global Scientific Assessment
Nusa Dua - Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner launched a global scientific assessment on 'Blue Carbon' here on Thursday.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010
RI Preparing Six Agreements Ahead of Obama Visit
Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said that the government is preparing six agreements that would be discussed when US President Barack Obama visits Indonesia in March 2010.

Tax Revenues May Reach Rp 1,000T Target by 2013
The government will intensify efforts to achieve a tax revenue target of Rp 1,000 trillion (US$108 billion) by 2013, which will account for the larger part of state revenues, the Finance Ministry said.

Government Issued Rp 44.6 Trillion Worth of Bonds Since Early 2010
Jakarta - The government has since early this year issued state bonds worth Rp44.6 trillion to meet part of its bond issuance target in the first half of 2010, a Finance Ministry official said.

DPD Optimistic About Becoming Senate by 2014
The House of Regional Representatives (DPD) expressed its optimism about a further amendment to the 1945 Constitution by 2014 to give full authority to it to become recognized as a senate.

Bali Still the Main Tourism Destination
Vincent Jemadu, the Culture and Tourism Ministry Development Director, has said that Bali is still the main tourism destination in every international market.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Best Is Yet To Come in RI-US Ties, Says Marty
Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa says he believes the visit by US President Barack Obama to Indonesia next month will further improve the already strong relations between the two nations.

Indonesia Strengthens Consumer Protection
Jakarta - Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said on Tuesday a directorate general for consumer protection and standardization would be set up at her ministry.

Indonesia to Offer Infrastructure Projects Worth $5 Billion
Indonesia will host an Asia-Pacific ministerial conference from Apr. 14 to Apr.17, offering infrastructure projects worth at least US$5 billion, officials say.

Government Seeking to Increase Credits to Real Sector
Jakarta - The Indonesian government is seeking to increase distribution of credits to the real sector to meet its industrial growth target.

Environment Ministerial Forum Expected to Solve Global Pollution: Official
Jakarta - Indonesia expects the 11th Global Environment Ministerial Forum to be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, next February 24-26 will give a solution to the environmental pollution issues, an official said.

VP: Family Planning Program Important For Economic Growth
Jakarta - The family planning program plays an important role in boosting national development and economic growth, Vice President Boediono says.

Rupiah Strengthens Against US Dollar
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The rupiah rose against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market here on Wednesday as investors sold the greenback which had strengthened against Asian currencies especially euro and yen over the past few days.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010
FM: Obama Visit Boosts US-Indonesian Ties
President Barack Obama's visit to Indonesia next month will give new momentum to already positive relations between Washington and Jakarta, the foreign minister said Tuesday.

Indonesian Stocks Trade Slightly Higher on Mining Gains
Jakarta - The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) here on Tuesday morning got off to a strong start as investors grabbed mining company Bumi and Antam shares.

Government Optimizing Geothermal Energy Development in East Java
Surabaya,Feb 15 (ANTARA) - The government, in this case the East Java Investment Agency (BPM) is optimizing the geothermal energy rate in the province, in line with its renewable natural resource potential.

Indonesia to Tighten Standard Requirements on Imported Products
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will tighten the implementation of SNI standard requirements to prevent the inflow of cheap and low quality products following the implementation of the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), a minister said.

Government to Continue Campaign to Promote Domestic Products
Bogor (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government will continue campaigning for increased use of domestic products to maintain their leading position in the country, a spokesman said,

Friday, February 12, 2010
Rupiah Stable at Rp 9,362 per US Dollar
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The rupiah remained stable at the level of Rp9,362 per US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market as investors tended to buy the local unit although in relatively small amounts.

IDX Index May Reach 2,670 Points: Observer
Jakarta - A capital market observer, Krisna Dwi Setiawan, said there was an inflow of foreign players` hot money into the domestic stock market which could boost this week`s Indonesian Exchange (IDX) Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) to 2,670 points.

RI's Textile Trade Reaches Surplus
Semarang, - Indonesia's textile and garment trade balance in 2009 had been a surplus of 5.1 billion US dollars, a 1.10 pct increase compared to the equally surplus of 5 billion US dollars in 2008.

Army Committed to Using Locally Made Main Weapon Systems
Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Army Chief of Staff Gen George Toisutta confirmed that the army was committed to using domestically made main weapon systems (Alutsista).

Growth Target Not Modified
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said that the government will not change economic growth target of 5.5 percent in the revised 2010 state budget.

Traditional Markets in Districts To Be Revitalized
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry plans to revitalize at least one traditional market in each of the country's 540 districts and municipalities with a total budget of Rp540 billion, a spokesman said.

WWF Launches Campaign to Save Sumatran Tiger
Jakarta - The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia is to launch a public campaign in support of efforts to conserve the Sumatran tiger, a spokesperson said.

RI Urged to Ratify UN Convention on Migrant Workers
Bandung, W Java - The ASEAN Human Rights Committee renewed Thursday its call for Indonesia to immediately ratify the UN convention on the protection of migrant workers and their families.

Thursday, February 11, 2010
RI, US to Enhance Military Cooperation
Jakarta - Indonesia and the United States are to step up their military ties and resume collaboration programs broken off in the past, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said here Wednesday.

Growth Rate Exceeds Target, Recovery May Come Sooner
Indonesia's economy grew at the fastest pace in three months to the end of December, last year, signaling that the recovery may come sooner than expected, officials say.

International Community Appreciates Disaster Management in Indonesia
London - The UN Agency for Humanitarian Affairs, donor countries and NGOs engaged in humanitarian affairs acknowledged that Indonesia is an example of a country with a very good and effective disaster management system.

Government to Boost Manufacturing to Increase Growth
Jakarta - The government plans to promote the domestic manufacturing sector to boost the country's economic growth which reached 4.5 percent last year, chief minister Hatta Radjasa said.

Finance Ministry: 2010 Exports to Reach Above 8.5 Percent
Jakarta - Indonesia's exports will recover and can even grow above 8.5 percent, a senior Finance Ministry official said here on Wednesday.

'Jamu' Export Reaches $10M Annually
Indonesia currently exports US$10 million worth of jamu traditional herbal medicine annually, while the domestic market value of jamu stands at $500 million.

News Focus: Indonesia Deplores Double Standard in Nuclear Handling
Jakarta - Indonesia is deploring double standard applied by nuclear weapons producing countries in their efforts to eliminate nuclear threats confronting the world.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010
President : RI Able to Pass Two Big Tests
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia had passed at least two big tests so far namely the multi-dimensional crisis in 1998 and the world economic crisis in 2008.

Oil Contractors' Output Expected to Reach 965,000 BPD
Bojonegoro - Indonesia`s national production of oil is expected to reach 965,000 barrels per day in 2010 from 65 production sharing contractors, a BP Migas oficial said. "We must be optimistic the target will be achieved," Amir Hamzah, the head of the internal division of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency, said.

Creative Industries Contribute 7.5 Pct to Export Earnings
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said the contribution of creative industries to Indonesia`s non-oil/non- gas exports reached around 7.5 percent or Rp114.9 trillion.

Second Retail Sukuk Sell Like Hot Cakes, Bids Reach Rp 8.03T
Retail Islamic bonds sold like hot cakes, with bids reaching Rp 8.03 trillion (US$851 million), almost tripling initial targets of Rp 3 trillion, when the high-yield bonds were introduced onto the market on Monday.

Investment Policies to 'Focus on Maximizing Value Creation'
Senior editor Manggi Habir recently met up with Gita Wirjawan in his new position as head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and talked about his strategy and plans going forward.

President Witnesses Indonesian School of Journalism MoU Signing
Palembang, S. Sumatra - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here Tuesday witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the opening of an Indonesian School of Journalism.

Friday, February 5, 2010
Obama's Visit to Indonesia: Minister of Foreign Affairs Optimistic About Concrete Results
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Minister of Foreign Affairs Marty Natalegawa has acknowledged he is optimistic that there will be concrete results after the US President's visit to Indonesia, especially for Indonesia-US cooperation.

Indonesian Movie Wins Two Film Festival Honors in France
London - The Indonesian film "Jamila dan Sang Presiden" (Jamila and the President) written and directed by woman activist Ratna Sarumpaet has won two honors at the Asian Film Festival in Vesoul, France.

Ministries Receive UNESCO Certificates
Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik and Coordinating Public Welfare Minister Agung Laksono Friday received three UNESCO certificates of intangible cultural heritage and a certificate recognizing the best practice of cultural preservation in Central Jakarta.

Government's First 100 Days Achievements Part of Continuous Program
Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said what the government had achieved in its first 100 days was part of its continuous program for the next few years.

Pertamina to Invest Rp 10.2T on New Blocks
State oil and gas company PT Pertamina has allocated about Rp 10.2 trillion (about US$1 billion) for acquisition of new oil and gas blocks in 2010, president director Karen Agustiawan told lawmakers Thursday.

Government to Keep Watch on Imported Batik in Domestic Markets
Jakarta - Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said here Thursday the government would keep an eye on foreign-made batik entering the country's domestic markets.

RI Diplomats Must Work Tirelessly: Foreign Minister
Jakarta - As components of the country's diplomatic service, Indonesian diplomats must work tirelessly, smartly and carefully to ensure the achievement of the service's goals for the state's and nation's sake.

Thursday, February 4, 2010
RI Pushes Settlement of Doha Round
London - Indonesia and other WTO member countries will continue pushing to solve the Doha Round at the WTO to the benefit of all, in view of the importance of improving the world business climate.

Economic Growth in 2009 Expected to Exceed 4.3 Percent
Jakarta - National economic growth in 2009 is expected to exceed 4.3 percent, Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) chief Rusman Hermawan said here Wednesday.

Bank Indonesia Maintains Key Rate at 6.5 Percent
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Bank Indonesia maintained its key rate at 6.5 percent on Thursday (4/2) as the central bank sees the current economic state is conducive for economic recovery, financial stability, and its intermediary function.

SBY Claims First 100-Day Programs Successful
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono claimed on Wednesday his administration had managed to achieve over 90 percent of the targets he set for his first 100 days in office.

President Asks Indonesian Diplomats to Help Attract Investment
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asked Indonesian diplomats Thursday to proactively help attract investment to the country in order to meet the Rp 2,000 trillion (US$214 billion) per year in investment funds target.

News Focus: RI to Gradually Stop Coal Exports
Jakarta - Indonesia, which over the past few years has become the world's third largest coal exporter after Australia and China, is planning to gradually stop its exports in order to help strengthen the country's energy resilience.

2010 Market Outlook: Who Will Pull The Trigger First?
During our recent Indonesia strategy marketing trip we spent two full days in Singapore and another two full days in Hong Kong, meeting with various fund managers. We found that all of those in Singapore were still very much bullish on Indonesia, agreeing with us that the Indonesian market performance would be better in the first half of 2010 than in the second, because the risk of rising inflation and interest rates was expected to be higher in the second half of 2010.

Indonesia Officially Launches "Sail Banda"
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The 2010 Sail Indonesia, featuring the beauty of Maluku Province's Banda Islands, would spend at least Rp40 billions, Director General of Marine Resources and Fishery Surveillance Aji Sularso said.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Obama Plans 'Sentimental' Return to Jakarta
US President Barack Obama and family will visit Jakarta in March to launch a comprehensive partnership with Indonesia, and make a 'sentimental' return to his childhood hometown.

Indonesia Chosen as OIC Parliament President
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Head of the House of Representatives Marzuki Alie has been elected as the Parliament President of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) at the sixth OIC Conference in Kampala, Uganda.

Government Raises State Firms' Net Profit Target for 2010
Jakarta - The government has revised upward the net profit target of 141 state companies for this year to Rp92.7 trillion from Rp90 trillion previously.

Government Expected to Advance Domestic Defense Industry
akarta - The government is expected to consistently advance domestic defense industry by prioritizing the products of state enterprises (BUMN) strategic industry for the procurement of military hardware system (alutsista).

FTA is Strategy to Expand Exports, Accelerate Investment: Official
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Free Trade Area (FTA) is a strategy for expansion of exports and acceleration of investment development in the face of tighter and dynamic global competition, a senior economic official said.

News Focus: RI Mulling Actions, Cost to Cut Gas Emissions
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government has started mulling actions and calculating the cost to implement its plan to cut gas emissions by 26 percent in 2020 and by 41 percent with international support.

BI to Improve Supervision of Banking System
Jakarta - Bank Indonesia deputy governor Budi Rochadi said the central bank would increase its supervision on the country's banking system in the future.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Obama Indonesia Visit Now Set for Mid-March, With Focus on Partnership-Building
Cipanas, West Java. When US President Barack Obama and his family finally make their long-awaited state visit to Indonesia in March, it will be for more than just a look at his childhood home in Menteng and a plate of nasi goreng.

Yudhoyono Receives International Award
TEMPO Interactive, Cianjur: After being named as one of 100 most influential people in the world, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to receive further international recognition.

President Discusses Plan Implementation
Cipanas, Cianjur (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono chaired a meeting with governors and ministers at Cipanas Palace here on Tuesday to discuss the implementation of the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2010-2014.

Exports Expected to Recover in 2010 : Minister
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Finance Minister Sir Mulynai Indrawati said there were indications that the trade sector, particularly exports, would recover along with the general economic recovery this year.

Sasambo Batik to be made Official West Nusa Tenggara Batik
TEMPO Interactive, Mataram: The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) government will make Sasambo batik (Sasak Samawa Mbjo) the official NTB Batik.

RI Feature Film in Running for Award in Rotterdam
The experimental film "At the Very Bottom of Everything" by Indonesian independent filmmaker Paul Agusta is currently in the running for the prestigious Dioraphte Award at the 39th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), which will end on Feb. 7.

Monday, February 1, 2010
News Focus: RI to Reduce Dependence on Other Countries for Weaponry System
Jakarta - Indonesia is trying to gradually reduce its dependence on imported defense weapons and equipment by revitalizing its domestic defense industries in strengthening the national defense system.

RI Submits Emission Cuts Target to UN
Indonesia has lodged an official report on its emission reduction target to the UN on Sunday as doubts remain over the possibility of countries to reach an ambitious deal this year.

Monthly Inflation Below One Percent
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Inflation rate in January rose 0.84 percent as all 66 cities saw climbing prices in almost all types of products and services. Consumer's Price index rose to 118.01 at the end of January or 3.78 percent ighers from a year earlier.

Government Asks for More Time to Adopt Single Ownership Policy
The government is asking Bank Indonesia to give it more time to fully comply with the single ownership policy being imposed on the country's state banks.

SBY to Form Committee to Oversee Economy
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he would soon form an economic committee, involving business communities, tasked to assist the government to help solve problems hampering economic growth.

Forty-Five Figures Declare National Democrat organization
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Forty-five national figures declared the establishment of a National Democrat organization in front of a crowd of thousands at the Senayan national stadium here on Monday.