Friday, October 9, 2009
UNDAC Commends RI's Emergency Response Actions in Sumatra Quake
Padang - The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) has commended Indonesia`s emergency response actions in the aftermath of the magnitude-7.6 earthquake in Padang, West Sumatra.

RI's Economic Marine Resources Worth Rp 1,700 Trillion
Makassar, S Sulawesi - Secretary of the Indonesian Marine Council (DIN) Rizald M Rompas said Indonesia`s marine economic potentials were estimated to be worth more than Rp1,700 trillion.

RI to Start H1N1 Vaccine Mass Production in August 2010
Bandung, W Java - The production process of swine flu vaccine or H1N1 Indonesia strain has now entered the phase of clinical trials and its mass production will start in August 2010, a pharmaceutical official said.

Indonesia Introduces BFCP Innovative Initiatives
Jakarta - The Indonesian government has introduced an Berau Forest Carbon Program (BCFP) innovative initiative in Berau Regency to reduce emissions from logging and forest destruction (REDD) on the sidelines of the UN Climate Discussions in Bangkok.

Revamped Songket Impresses The World
Palembang songket - fabric adorned or embroidered with gold or silver threads - has been brought out of the realms of formal-wear-only, and into the land of everyday wear, thanks to new designs.

Mandiri: Rp 12T for Investment in Papua
State-owned bank PT Bank Mandiri announced on Thursday its commitment to allocate up to Rp 12 trillion (US$1.27 billion) in loans to finance investment in Papua and West Papua provinces.

Udayana University Praised for Exercising 'Total Diplomacy'
Denpasar, Bali - The Foreign Ministry is satisfied about the "total diplomacy" Udayana University personnel exercised in the granting of an award to Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, a spokesman said.

BI Sets No Target For Rupiah's Exchange Rate
Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI) has not set itself a target in maintaining the rupiah`s exchange rate , according to BI Senior Deputy Governor Darmin Nasution.

RI's Population May Reach 255 Million in 2015
Jakarta - Indonesia`s population will boom and reach 255 millions in 2015 missing the target of 237.8 million if it grows at its present rate, a family planning official said here on Thursday.

Thursday, October 8, 2009
Rupiah Continues to Strengthen Against US Dollar
Jakarta - The rupiah continued to strengthen against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market here early Thursday as investors still actively hunted the local currency.

Mining to Attract $6B: BKPM
Indonesia's mining sector could expect investment of up to US$6 billion in the 2010-2012 period, in part because of a greater degree of certainty following the enactment of the mining law, the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) says.

NU to Build International School
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Muslim organization, unveiled Thursday a plan to build an international school that will integrate primary, secondary and higher education through its Khadijah Foundation.

Public Urged to Participate in Global Handwashing Day 2009
Jakarta - The Indonesian public has been urged to participate actively in Global Handwashing Day 2009, to be observed on October 15, 2009.

RI Secures $500M Loan to Boost Growth
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), one of the Indonesia's major donors, will provide Indonesia with a US$500 million loan to help accelerate growth that has been impacted by the global economic downturn.

Aburizal Bakrie Set to Chair the Golkar Party
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie looks set to win the Golkar Party chairmanship election after 341 of 536 branches and organizations had indicated they would elect him prior to the election session late on Wednesday.

Structural Imbalances `Homework' for Next Government
Being among the few countries retaining positive growth amid the global economic downturn does not mean Indonesia's economy is safe and sound, because structural imbalances remain, economists say.

BI Encourages Private Banks to Go Public
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Bank Indonesia (BI) is encouraging all private banks in Indonesia to go public so that the general public can participate in monitoring the bank.

Padang Disaster Management Update
The death-toll as of Wednesday, 7 October 2009, 20.00 Western Indonesian Time (WIT) reached 739 casualties including 309 in Padang City, 37 in Pariaman City, 3 in Solok City, 335 in Padang Pariaman Regency, 43 in Agam Regency, 3 in West Pasaman Regency and 9 in Southern Pesisir area.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Obama to Visit Indonesia Next Year
Jakarta - US President Barack Obama will visit Indonesia next year but no fixed date has been made, President Spokesman Patti Djalal said at the Presidential Office here on Wednesday.

Indonesian Nominated for CNN Hero of the Year
Indonesian pilot Budi Soehardi is among the top 10 candidates for the CNN Hero of the Year award to be given to individual whose accomplishments, impact and personal story have inspired others.

Stocks Continue to Hit Stride, Attaining Highest Level in 1.5 Years
Continuing its rebound from the worldwide stock market late last year, Indonesia's stock market reached another record-high on Tuesday, following rising confidence in the national and international economy as well as rally in global top commodity prices.

Government to Make Final Cut on Car Import Duties
The government will lower duties on imported cars by 5 percent next year, calling it the final cut in a series of tax adjustments carried out since the early 1990s.

Ubud Festival for Writers, Readers Begins
More than 80 writers from 23 countries will again bring their inspiring ideas and voices to the annual Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, to be officially opened at the Ubud Royal Palace.

US Sets Up Emergency Hospital In Padang
Padang, W Sumatra - The United States government set up an emergency hospital in Padang, West Sumatra, on Tuesday for victims of last Wednesday`s magnitude-7.6 earthquake.

US to Extend US$10 Million in Aid for Quake Victims
Padang, W Sumatra - The United States government will extend aid for West Sumatra quake victims worth about US$10 million, a U.S. official said.

Yudhoyono Expected to Announce Cabinet Before October 23
Jakarta - President-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to announce his cabinet immediately after his inauguration on October 20, Minister/State Secretary Hatta Rajasa said here on Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry Launches Website for Indonesians Abroad
Jakarta - The Foreign Affairs Ministry on Tuesday launched a website for the benefit of Indonesians living abroad.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Indonesia to Launch Investment Guide During Asia Pacific Week
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Indonesian Embassy in Germany in cooperation with the National Investment Board will launch a guide book on investing in Indonesia during the Indonesian Business Day on October 12th, officials informed on Tuesday.

RI Initiatives New Forest Management Fund
Jakarta - Indonesia is initiating the establishment of a new sustainable forest fund institution which is expected to be realized in a United Nation Forum on Forest (UNFF) meeting in New York on Thursday, a forest ministry official said.

BI Keeps Key Rate at 6.5 Percent
Jakarta - Indonesia's central bank on Monday decided to maintain its key rate at 6.5 percent.

SBY Praises TNI, Orders Continuation of Internal Reforms
The Indonesian Military (TNI) celebrated its 64th anniversary Monday, securing praise from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for successful internal reforms and for protecting the nation.

RI Still Propping Up Asian List on UN's Quality-of-Life Gauge
Indonesia remains far behind most of its Asian peers on the UN's Human Development Index (HDI) - slipping four places from last year to 111th -in the key measure to gauge the quality of life in a country and its competitiveness.

Cepu Starts Producing 15,000 Barrels of Oil per Day
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Cepu Block has started producing 15,000 barrels of oil per day since last Sunday.