Monday, November 23, 2009
RI's Growing Prospect Encourages GE to Invest
When the widely-diversified business giant General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt visited Indonesia in October, he vowed to double his company's investment which has reached US$1.2 billion on the back of the country's economic resilient despite heavy blows from the global economic slowdown.

Rally Backs SBY's Greenhouse Pledge
Hundreds of Greenpeace forest campaigners staged a rally here Saturday to throw their weight behind President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his pledge to slash emissions from forest and peatland clearing.

House Approves Rp 1.2 Trillion for West Sumatra Reconstruction
Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR)`s Budgetary Committee has approved a fund of Rp1.2 trillion for the reconstruction of West Sumatra province which was recently devastated by a magnitude-7.9 earthquake, a legislator said.

Government to Allocate Rp 20 Trillion for SMEs
Parepare, S Sulawesi - Minister of Cooperatives, Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SME) Syarifuddin Hasan said the government would allocate Rp20 trillion per annum for the empowerment of small and medium-scale businesses.

Rupiah Strengthens 16 Points Monday
Jakarta - The rupiah in the Jakarta interbank spot market on Monday morning strengthened 16 points to Rp9.466-Rp9.475 per dollar compared to Rp9.482-Rp9.495 per dollar at the market`s close last weekend.

RI Asks for UN Special Policy on Peace Mission
Jakarta - Indonesia will ask for a UN special policy on the seaborne cost its warship has to bear sailing from Indonesia to Lebanon on a peace mission in that country, a minister said.

RI, EU Hold Seminar on Maritime Security in Brussels
London - Indonesia and the European Union organized a seminar themed "Measures to Enhance Maritime Security: Legal and Practical Aspects" at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Brussels on Monday.

Government Remains Committed to Developing Border Areas: Minister
Pontianak, W Kalimantan - State Minister for Disadvantaged Regions A Helmy Faisal Zaini said the government remained committed to developing border areas into the country`s verandah.

Friday, November 20, 2009
Italian Bizmen Satisfied About RI Investment Climate
Rome - Italian entrepreneurs who have been doing business in Indonesia are in general quite satisfied about the investment climate and economic conditions in the country, an Indonesian investment official said.

CJIBF 2009: Investors Eyeing Three Regencies
TEMPO Interactive, Surakarta: A number of investors are interested in investing in three regencies around Central Java province. They have signed a Letter of Intent for a Rp 52 billion project during the Central Java Investment Business Forum (CJIBF) held at The Sunan Hotel, Surakarta, on November 18 to 19. "This is the first phase," said Central Java Investment Agency chief, Anung Sugihantoro.

BI Studies Foreign Fund Limit on SBIs
The central bank is studying the possibility of limiting foreigners' holdings in its short-term bills, to put tighter controls on 'hot money' and help prevent possible sudden capital market outflows.

RI Sends 1,125 Troops to Lebanon
Jakarta - The Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) on Thursday sent 1,125 personnel to Lebanon to replace soldiers who had served in the Indonesian contingent in UNIFIL over the past one year.

PBNU: National Anti-Terrorism Board Necessary
Jakarta - It is necessary to form National Anti-Terrorism Board to deal with terrorism in the country, Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama Organization (PBNU) chairman Masykuri Abdillah said here on Thursday.

Counterterrorism Efforts Call for Government, Civil Society to Team Up
Civil society groups in Southeast Asia should strengthen their local and regional networks and address conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, a workshop recommended Thursday.

Marty's Diplomacy: Same Principles, New Taglines
Few expected any policy shift when Marty Natalegawa was appointed foreign minister a month ago. As a prodigy of the Foreign Ministry, he was reared, as were most Indonesians, on the historic rudiments of national foreign policy.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Ani Yudhoyono: Batik Brings Closer RI-US Cultural Bonds
Jakarta - First Lady Ani Yudhoyono said that Indonesia`s batik as one of the world's cultural heritage can bridge the cultural understanding between Indonesia and the United States through Ann Dunham`s batik collection.

RI Set to Become an Important Food Supplier
Given its abundant agricultural resources, Indonesia is well positioned to become one of the world's most important food suppliers in the coming years, Vice President Boediono said Wednesday.

2010 Economy: Growth in Moderation
We expect the Indonesian economy to grow moderately by 5.2 percent in 2010, following a dip in 2009 GDP growth to 4.3 percent.

VP to Speak at World Food Summit
Rome - Vice President Boediono is scheduled to speak at the World Food Summit at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) head office in Rome, Italy, on Wednesday.

Jakarta Launches Copenhagen Action
British Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change Joan Ruddock and Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo launched Wednesday a campaign to support the key climate conference in Copenhagen next month.

Government to Involve Industry, Environmental Groups to Restore Forest
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Forestry Department said the government is planning to restore about two million hectares of abandoned or destroyed forest areas within the next five years, by involving biggest private carbon emitters like the automotive industry and cigarette producers.

RI's Corruption Perception Index Improves, Despite Irony of Declining KPK
Indonesia remains one of the most corrupt countries in the world despite a tiny improvement in its Corruption Perception Index (ICP), now scoring 2.8 out of a possible 10 in terms of corruption eradication perception performance.

UK Encourages RI to Access $25 Billion Fund for Forestry
Developed countries may provide US$25 billion in interim funds to help countries such as Indonesia develop forestry sector programs to help mitigate the impacts of climate change, a minister says.

Monday, November 16, 2009
Obama Impressed With Indonesia's Progress
Jakarta - United States President Barak Obama has said he was extraordinarily impressed with the progress that Indonesia has made in developing its democracy.

Obama Praises RI's Influence in International Fora
Singapura - United States President Barack Obama in the APEC meeting here has praised the significant influence of Indonesia`s role in the international fora.

Yudhoyono Asks World to Do Their Best for Copenhagen Meeting
Singapore - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appealed on Sunday to the world community to do their utmost to ensure next month`s climate change talks in Copenhagen will achieve concrete and optimum results.

APEC Leaders to Declare Commitment on Supporting Sustainable Growth
Singapore - Leaders from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) agreed to make a joint declaration Sunday on the need for balanced, inclusive and sustainable growth in the region and resisting protectionism and accelerating integration of its economics.

Yudhoyono: Obama "Friend of Indonesia"
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said US President Barack Obama was "a friend of Indonesia", a country he knew very well and where he was "well respected."

Indonesia in Mid-Range of Regional Consumer Confidence
Consumer confidence has increased in Southeast Asian countries in the third quarter, while consumers in China curbed some of their previous optimism. The Asian Consumer Confidence Index by InsightAsia reports increases in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

RI to Promote Pro-Poor Carbon Initiative at Copenhagen Climate Talk
Indonesian delegates to the upcoming Copenhagen climate talks said they would propose a new forest initiative to help local people gain financial benefits from forest protection schemes.

Primary Industries to Come Under Agriculture Department
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Agriculture Minister Suswono will call on the Industry Minister to transfer the management of the primary industries sector to the Agriculture Department as an effort to improve farmers' welfare. "We can take the primary industry from the Industry Department so that farmers can develop the industry after their harvests," Suswono said on Friday.

China Interested in Investing in Infrastructure and Electricity Projects
TEMPO Interactive, Singapore: Chinese president Hu Jintao has promised to participate in building the infrastructure sector in Indonesia and to invest in energy projects.

Friday, November 13, 2009
News Focus: RI to Boost Economic Growth to 7 Pct in 2014
Jakarta - With Indonesia`s economic growth rate expected to reach 4.3 percent this year, the government is optimistic the figure will have gradually risen to as high as seven percent by 2014.

President Optimistic Economic Growth Reaches 4.3 Pct
Kuala Lumpur - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he was optimistic that the country`s economic growth this year would reach 4.3 percent as projected in the state budget.

Inflation Rate in 2009 Below 4 Pct : BI
Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI/the central bank) has predicted that the inflation rate in 2009 would be below 4 percent as a result of economic slow-down and global economic crisis, Acting BI Governor Darmin Nasution said.

Exports Stabilizing
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Bank Indonesia announced that the decrease in international trade has reached its lowest point that it cannot got elsewhere but up, in line with trends in a global economic recovery.

Foreign Diplomats to Join World Peace Day Commemoration
Ambon, Maluku - A number of foreign consul generals will take part in the commemoration of World Peace Day to be held here on November 25, 2009.

Industrial Forest Output to Increase 36 Percent: Ministry
The supply of logs from the country's industrial forest (HTI) is expected to rise by 36 percent to 18.5 million cubic meters next year with the issuance of more forest development licenses, a director at the forestry ministry said.

Ministry to Streamline Regional Spatial Planning
The public works ministry will lead an inter departmental team to audit spatial proposals to streamline overlapping policies and plans, tackling the bottlenecks now hampering infrastructure projects.

RI to Purchase Trainer, Attack Aircraft from Russia, China
Indonesia will purchase new trainer/light attack aircraft from Russia and China as part of an effort to revitalize its primary defense system, says newly sworn-in Air Force chief of staff Vice Marshal Imam Safaat.

Thursday, November 12, 2009
Economy Accelerates Faster, Optimism Returns
Driven by an increase in consumer spending, the country's economic growth accelerated faster in the third quarter after losing speed for more than a year on the back of sluggish exports.

Ecotourism Contributes Rp 80 Trillion to State Coffers
Jakarta - Ecotourism contributed Rp80 trillion to the forestry sector`s earnings last year, a 33 percent increase compared with a year earlier, a spokesman said.

US Investors Interested in RI's Infrastructure
Jakarta - Chairman of the US Chamber of Commerce Robert S Milligan said infrastructure is the most attractive sector US businessmen want to invest in Indonesia.

Envoy Supports Initiative to Increase RI Students in US
Jakarta - US Ambassador Cameron Hume recently voiced his support for the initiative of AMINEF's EducationUSA to double the number of Indonesians studying in the US over the next five years.

RI Optimistic Its Proposal to Copenhagen Summit Accepted
Jakarta - Indonesia is optimistic that its compromise proposal for an umbrella agreement of the outcome of the 15th climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, next month would be accepted by the participating countries.

Diponegoro University to Establish International Office
TEMPO Interactive, Semarang:Diponegoro University (Undip) will establish an international office to assist foreign students who want to study there. "Undip does not have services for foreign students who want to study here," Assistant Rector IV, Muhammad Nur said yesterday. Most foreign students rely on information from the website. "Yet, website information is insufficient," added Nur. Undip is also determined to be included in the list of World Class Indonesian Universities. In 2009, Undip is ranked 501 of best universities in the world.

2009 State Budget on Track: Minister
The latest report from the finance ministry reveals that the government as of the end of October had absorbed 68 percent of the planned expenditure in the 2009 state budget, indicating an improvement compared to last year.

NU to Host Workshop on Holistic Approach Toward Terror
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Muslim organization, will next week host an international workshop on promoting dialogue to combat the spread of terrorist ideology.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
2010 State Budget to Increase by 9%
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani announced Tuesday a projection of the 2010 state budget which might total Rp 949.7 trillion (US$100.9 billion), up by 9 percent from this year's budget worth Rp 871 trillion.

Robust Local Economy to Fuel Demand for Air Travel: INACA
A booming economy at the provincial level, coupled with an expected global economic recovery, is becoming the main driver of growth in the local airline industry next year, an association says.

West Java Offers a US$ 4,37 Billion Investment
TEMPO Interactive, Bandung:West Java offered 27 investment projects worth US$ 4,37 billion during the West Java International Expo 2009. The projects include potable water management, agro-business, toll road infrastructure, to geothermal power. "This will be West Java's main investment," said governor Ahmad Heryawan at Kota Baru Parahyangan yesterday.

RI, EU Agree to Work for Copenhagen Meeting's Success
Jakarta - Indonesia and the European Union (EU) agreed on Monday to work for the success of the UN climate change conference to be held in Copenhagen next month.

President Appoints Five Deputy Ministers, Six in Waiting
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will swear in Wednesday five deputy ministers who will help the Cabinet achieve its targets.

President Yudhoyono Set For APEC Meeting
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is planning to hold week-long state visits to Malaysia and Singapore where he will attend the 21st APEC conference, amid domestic political turbulence which rocked the Corruption Eradication Commission, the National Police, the Attorney General's Office, up to the Presidential Palace.

Monday, November 9, 2009
Government Saves Rp 20 Trillion on Gas Conversion Program
Serang, Banten - Oil and Gas Director Evita Legowo said the government`s kerosene-liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) conversion program was able to save Rp20 trillion.

World Peace Gong Handed to Maluku Governor
Ambon - Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu on Monday received a gong for the World Peace Day ceremony in Ambon later this month from Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono in Jepara, Central Java.

Revitalizing The Defense Industry a Priority for Indonesia
New Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro started his job by focusing on monitoring the country's border areas. During his visit to the country's northern frontier city, Entikong in West Kalimantan, the minister, who is better known for his proficiency in the energy and economy field than defense and military issues, shared some of his plans for his 100-day program with The Jakarta Post's Hans David Tampubolon.

"Jamila And The President" Wins NETPAC Award in Rome
London - An Indonesian film titled "Jamilah and the President" produced by Ratna Sarumpaet won a NETPAC Award at the Asiatice Film Mediale festival organized in Rome, Italy, on October 29, 2009.

Government Prepares Five SEZ Locations
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Minister of Industry, M.S. Hidayat, has said that five locations have been prepared for special economy zones (SEZ) including in the eastern part of Sumatra, West Java's north coast road (Pantura), eastern part of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Merauke in Papua.

Rupiah Strengthens Against US Dollar
Jakarta - The rupiah strengthened against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market here on Monday morning as investors hunted the local unit.

Minister Armida: Tax Ratio is Low
TEMPO Interactive, Cipanas:State Minister of National Development Planning, Armida Alisjahbana, is of the opinion that the tax ratio on Indonesia's gross domestic products (GDP) is still low.