Friday, January 29, 2010
Indonesia's Economy on Track, Says World Bank
Indonesia's economy has returned back on track following a period of lower growth last year due to the global economic crisis.

Investment Predicted to Increase at least Rp. 13 Trillion
TEMPO Interactive, Klaten: Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chairman, Gita Wirjawan is optimistic that Indonesian investment value increase from 10 to 15 percent this year. The reason cited was the enactment of the one-door integrated service, which will simplify the process of capital investment through the internet in every region.

President Highlights Some Results of First 100 Days Program
Banten - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here on Thursday highlighted part of the government's achievements in implementing its first 100-days program.

President to Form National Economic Committee
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the near future will form a National Economic Committee to help the government prepare for and address economic issues.

Rp. 100 Million in Government Funds to Operate 300 Community Health Centers
TEMPO Interactive, Yogyakarta: The Health Department will test the Health Operation Aid (BOK) program for 300 community health centers (puskesmas) in seven regencies throughout Indonesia this year. Every community health center will get a budget of Rp. 100 million/year out of a total budget of Rp. 30 billion.

The Art of Batik to be Taught in Schools
Batik reaches new heights in Bantul regency, Yogyakarta, with the administration planning to include batik as a school subject for elementary to senior high school students as of the next school year.

RI Ready to Facilitate Reconciliation in Afghanistan
London - Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said Jakarta was ready to act as a facilitator of reconciliation among the warring parties in Afghanistan if requested.

Thursday, January 28, 2010
On-Arrival Visa Up to 60 Days
Foreign tourists and businesspeople from 64 countries have welcomed the new policy allowing a visa-on-arrival extension for up to 60 days, saying it will encourage people to spend more time in the archipelago.

Foreign Property Ownership to be Extended to 70 Years
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Foreign property ownership will be extended from 25 years to 70 years. "The regulations formulation is completed. It only waits for the Housing Minister stamp," said Lucy Rumantir, Jones Lang LaSalle Indonesia Chairman, in a press conference at the Nikko Hotel in Jakarta, yesterday.

Deputy: US to Continue Investment in Indonesia
Jakarta - Chief economic minister's deputy for macro-economic Erlangga Mantik said the US businessmen would continue their investment in Indonesia.

RI-US Interfaith Meet Stresses Religious Tolerance Promotion in Schools
Jakarta - A number of religious leaders and youth figures from Indonesia and the United States participating in an Interfaith Dialogue here have agreed to promote religious tolerance in schools in their respective communities.

Bill to Be Ready Soon on New Financial Authority
The government is hoping that it will be able to complete drafting the bill on the legal basis for the establishment of the new financial services authority (OJK) in the first half of this year.

RI Religious Figures Form Inter-Faith Council
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A number of interfaith figures here Thursday declared the formation of an Inter-Religious Council (IRC) in Indonesia to optimize the role of religious communities.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010
USA and Indonesia Discuss Business Plans
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The US and Indonesia governments have held a meeting to discuss both country's business plans.

Robust Signs Point to Healthy Growth for Consumer Economy
Two-thirds of the Indonesian economy is driven by people buying and selling goods and services. Conversations over lunch with marketers of these consumer products will confirm steady growth in 2009, poised for more in 2010.

RI, US to Resume Locomotive Business Cooperation
Jakarta - Indonesia and the US are interested in resuming locomotive business cooperation developed since six years ago.

Rupiah Strengthens Slightly Tuesday Morning
Jakarta - The rupiah's exchange rate against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market on Tuesday slightly strengthened although it remained above Rp 9,300 per dollar as market players were cautious in buying the local unit.

Indonesia Supports Copenhagen Accord
Jakarta - Indonesia will soon express support to the Copenhagen Accord reached at the 15th UN climate change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December 2009.

RI to Help Empower Afghan Government, People
Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa left Tuesday for London to attend an international meeting on the political deadlock in Afghanistan.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010
RI Wins US Praise for Religious Tolerance
Indonesia's religious tolerance has won praise from the US government and civil society groups despite concerns that the country may tilt toward more radical Islamic ideas, with several regions enacting sharia-based bylaws and hardliners reportedly trying to stifle pluralism.

Fitch Ups RI Ratings As Economy Strengthens
Fitch Ratings on Monday upgraded Indonesia's long-term foreign and local currency ratings to BB+ from BB, one level below investment grade, citing the country's resilience to the global financial crisis.

ACFTA Creates Export Opportunities, Says President
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the free trade agreement between ASEAN and China (ACFTA) would not threaten Indonesia's industries, but create opportunities for local businesses to export more goods.

MK Chief Praises President for Improvements in Legal Field
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Constitutional Court (MK) Chairman Mahfud MD has praised the basic actions taken by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the legal field in the first 100 days of his administration.

Indonesia to Host Moslem Conference on Climate Change
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will host an international Moslem conference on climate change, which will be the first of its kind in Bogor, West Java, on March 1-2, 2010, a committee member said.

President Calls for Healthcare Reform
Cirebon (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here Tuesday called for a shift in the paradigm of community health services from medication to prevention.

Monday, January 25, 2010
US Envoy Praises RI for Sending Aid to Haiti
Jakarta - US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume has praised the Indonesian government for sending aid to earthquake-devastated Haiti.

Foreign Minister Opens RI-US Interfaith Dialogue
Jakarta - Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa here Monday officially opened the first Indonesia-US interfaith dialogue that will run until January 27, in Jakarta on Monday.

RI to Implement New VoA System in February
Jakarta - Indonesia is to implement a new, and more lenient Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) system for citizens of many countries starting in February 2010, a Culture and Tourism Ministry official said.

Indonesia Now Only One Notch From Investment Grade
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Bank Indonesia (BI or central bank) said Monday Indonesia was only one notch away from an investment grade after global rating agency Fitch had upgraded the country`s credit rating to BB+ earlier in the day.

Ternate to be Developed Into Science Tourism Destination
Ternate, N Maluku - The municipal government of Ternate, capital city of North Maluku province will develop the region into a science tourism destination especially relating to history, flora and fauna.

WHO Approves RI's Proposal to Declare July 28 Hepatitis Day
London - The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved Indonesia's proposal to declare July 28 as World Hepatitis Day.

Friday, January 22, 2010
Government Preparing Decree to Cut Gas Emissions
Jakarta - The Indonesian government is currently preparing a legal umbrella in the form of a presidential decree to achieve the target of greenhouse gas reduction by 26 percent nationwide by 2020.

Schools Get Rp 420M Donation from Americans
More than three months after a powerful earthquake devastated much of West Sumatra, foreign donations continue to pour in.

Government Pools Foreign Aid to Reconstruct West Sumatra
The government launched Thursday a multilateral donor fund aiming to mobilize and manage Rp 22.9 trillion (US$2.47 billion) to help rebuild earthquake-hit West Sumatra.

RI to Be Invited to London Conference On Afghanistan
Jakarta - Indonesia will be invited to attend the London Conference on Afghanistan to be co-hosted by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Afghanistan President Karzai and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in London on January 28, 2010.

RI to Protect Industries While Complying with ACFTA
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ensured Thursday the government would protect businesses, while pursuing talks with China to avoid negative impacts of the free trade deal between ASEAN and China (the ACFTA).

Thursday, January 21, 2010
Obama to Visit Indonesia This Year
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: After some postponements, the US President Barack Obama has confirmed his plan to visit Indonesia this year.

President to Open World Environment Ministers Meeting in Bali
Denpasar - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to open the 11th meeting of world environment ministers which will take place in Bali February 21-26, 2010.

President Obama Endorses US-Indonesian Scientific Cooperation
Serpong - U.S. President Obama has reportedly endorsed the U.S.-Indonesia scientific cooperation in the field of technology research and development to the two countries' relations.

President Hopes Indonesia to Become Innovative Nation
Serpong - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he wished to make Indonesia a nation capable of creating or developing various technological and scientific solutions to overcome various shortcomings in the country.

People Are More Confident With Their Financial Condition
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian people feel more confident with their personal financial condition compared to six months ago.

Legislators Urge ACFTA's Renegotiation for Certain Commodities
Jakarta - House Commission VI members here Wednesday urged the government to send another notification for renegotiation of the implementation of the free trade agreement with China on 14 industrial products and 228 tariffs.

Government Expecting Rp 102.2 Trillion From VAT on Imports
Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the government had set itself the target of collecting Rp102.2 trillion in value added taxes from imports in 2010.

President Yudhoyono Reminds About Ethics in Democracy
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has reminded all parties in the country about the need to observe certain ethics in democracy, namely that would reflect respect to dignity, self-esteem and status.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010
RI Aid Arrives in Dominican Republic
Indonesia's aid for Haiti and a delegation of 81 people have arrived in neighboring Dominican Republic on Wednesday evening after leaving from Honolulu.

WHO Backs RI's Initiative to Form Influenza Research Center
Jakarta - The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed support for the Indonesian government's initiative to set up a WHO collaborating center for research on influenza.

Jogja Walk Heritage International To Be Held Again
Yogyakarta - The Yogyakarta Tourism Agency will this year again hold the Jogja Walk Heritage International.

908.9 Million Dollar Oil/Gas Project Inaugurated
Jakarta - The upstream oil and gas supervisory agency (BP Migas) said five oil/gas projects worth 908.9 million US dollars will soon be inaugurated in the first week of February 2010.

Foreign Investors to Rise Agriculture Investments in Papua
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Agriculture Department said more foreign and domestic investors are interested to food and agriculture potentials of Papua and China, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore are venturing opportunities to invest in food estate projects in the island.

Investment in Bali Up by 31 Percent Despite Global Crisis
Amid the global financial crisis, Bali remained an attractive place for both domestic and foreign investors with investment rising by 31 percent, from 10.4 trillion in 2008 to Rp 13.7 trillion last year.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Rupiah Strengthens Against US Dollar
Jakarta - The rupiah slightly strengthened against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market here on Tuesday morning.

Sharia Banking Grows Strong in Indonesia
It was with good reason that the Indonesian Ulema Council and the government established PT Bank Muamalat Indonesia on Nov. 1, 1991. Such a move was welcomed by the public, which invested Rp 84 billion in shares when the bank was established.

Youth Embracing New Decade With Growing Optimism
While Indonesia's corruption scandals and political shenanigans are making headlines around the globe, life goes on. Some things change but many stay the same just like they have for generations.

President Instructs District Heads Reduces Unemployment
Madiun, E Java (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has instructed district heads across the country to do their utmost in lowering the unemployment and poverty rates in their respective regions.

Government to Test Draft Regulation on Wiretaps
The government has announced plans to conduct public tests of a much-disputed draft regulation on wiretaps, which critics say could undermine corruption eradication efforts.

Friday, January 15, 2010
RI Disaster Team Heading to Quake-Hit Haiti
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia would send a relief team to Haiti, which has been devastated by a strong earthquake on Tuesday with 100,000 people feared dead.

Five Indonesians Found Safe in Quake-Torn Haiti
Two UN officials and three migrant workers from Indonesia have been found safe in Haiti, where thousands of people died after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake rattled the Caribbean nation, the Foreign Ministry said Friday.

IDX Opens Higher on Active Demand for Tobacco, Automotive Shares
Jakarta, - Early trading at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) on Thursday was marked by a lively atmosphere with market players chasing cigarette and automotive industry shares, causing the composite stock price index to rise 0.81 percent.

Government Brings in Domestic Coal Market Obligation
The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has issued a ministerial decree requiring producers of coal and other minerals to allocate a proportion of their annual production output to the domestic market, or face sanctions.

Government Prepares Master Plan to Boost Services Sector
The government is preparing a "blueprint" to develop the potential of the services industry and to optimize supporting infrastructure so as to increase the country's competitiveness, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said Thursday.

Government Confident to Meet Target on Action Plans
Only two of the 129 action plans in the government's 100-day program have "unsatisfactory" progress 75 days into President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's second term, officials said.

RI, US Start Discussing 2nd Debt-For-Nature Accord
Denpasar - Indonesia and the United States have begun discussing the substance of their second agreement on a debt-for-nature swap under the US Rain Forest Protection (TFCA) Act, according to the US embassy in Jakarta.

Thursday, January 14, 2010
RI to Send Relief Aid to Haiti
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government will send relief aid to the quake victims in Haiti, including experts, medical supplies and food.

Two Indonesians Survive But Three Missing in Haiti Earthquake
New York - Indonesia's Permanent Representative Office at the United Nations Security Council in New York on Thursday announced five Indonesians were in Haiti when an earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale struck the area on Tuesday (Jan 12).

2010 Market Strategy: Moderate is Good
Going into 2010, we expect Indonesia's GDP growth to moderately improve to 5.2 percent from 4.3 percent in 2009 on continued support from domestic consumption and government infrastructure-related projects.Going into 2010, we expect Indonesia's GDP growth to moderately improve to 5.2 percent from 4.3 percent in 2009 on continued support from domestic consumption and government infrastructure-related projects.

Presidential Decree to Expedite 2nd Phase of 10,000-MW Project
Jakarta, - The government on January 8, 2010, issued a presidential decree to expedite the second phase of its 10,000 megawatt power development project, an official said.

President Evaluates Progress in First 100-Days Programs
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at his office on Thursday chaired a cabinet plenary session to evaluate progress in the implementation of the government`s first 100-days programs.

Back On Target: Weapons Budget to Reach Rp 63T Over 5 Years
Indonesia's strategic industries are expected to capitalize on the government's plan to increase its weapons procurement budget to Rp 63 trillion (US$6.83 billion) over the next five years.

RI Elected High Level Task Force Member
London, - Indonesia represented by Prof. Dr. Emil Salim had been elected one of the 15 High Level Task Force (HLT) members to follow up on the third World Climate Conference in Geneva in September last year.

Climate Change to Become Teaching Materials in Schools
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Students from kindergarten to high school will get climate change teaching materials in class. The materials are developed from Climate4Classrooms (C4C), formulated by the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Meteorological Society, England. Besides Indonesia, the British Council distributes C4C materials to students in China, Mexico and Great Britain.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010
State-Owned Companies' Profit Expected to Reach Rp 90 Trillion
Jakarta, - State Enterprises Minister Mustafa Abubakar said the net profit of state-owned companies is expected to rise to around Rp90 trillion this year from around Rp74 trillion in 2009.

Business Group Sees Bright Outlook on Rising Investment
The business community sees a fairly bright economic picture this year, revising upwards its growth projection for a number of key industrial sectors, in part because of higher estimates both for domestic investment and for inward foreign direct investment.

Government Relaxes Rules on Micro Credit
The government has relaxed some rules on its micro credit support program (the KUR) including cutting lending rates and extending loan restructuring periods to support micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs).

State Enterprises to Push Investment to Boost Profits in 2010
Shrugging off the global economic downturn and challenges marking 2009, state enterprises are looking to healthy growth and net profits picking up again in 2010, with many SOEs also expecting to boost investment.

Government Issues US$2 Billion Worth of Bonds
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government again issued state debentures in foreign denomination worth US$2 billion to help finance its national budget.

RI Signs Bilateral Funding Agreements
While the pledges for huge amounts made at multilateral talks remain to be seen, Indonesia has signed a number of bilateral agreements with richer nations to get climate funding - mostly in forest-related areas.

President Launches Trembesi-Tree Planting Movement
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace here on Wednesday launched a trembesi-tree planting movement in an effort to help reduce global warming.

Monday, January 11, 2010
Index Could Still Increase
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian Stock Exchange Composite Share Price Index (IHSG) of the first week of 2010 increased by 80.014 points (3.16 percent) to 2,614.370 compared to the end of last year position of 2,534.356.

Rupiah Advances to A New Height
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The rupiah continue gains over the weakening dollars on Monday (11/1) to hit the new record high of Rp9,130 (based on Bank Indonesia rate) the strongest level in the last 23 months since February 2008.

Japan to Continue Investing in Indonesia
Jakarta - The Japanese government has made a commitment to continue cooperating with the Indonesian government in the investment field, a Japanese official here said.

Government to Offer Two Economic Zones to Investors Soon
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government has named two special economic zones as economic development hubs it will offer to investors this year, a chief economic minister said.

RI Wants Local Content in Automotive Products Increased
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has asked Japan to extend technological help so that the country`s automotive industry could increase the local content of its products to 60 percent in the next five years.

Lending Expected to Boost Infrastructure Growth
Businesses expect bank lending to speed up in 2010 to support infrastructure, on the back of a plan by the central bank to change the requirement for banks' minimum reserve ratio, a grouping says.

Greenpeace Optimistic RI Able to Declare Logging Moratorium
Jakarta - A spokesman of Greenpeace Southeast Asia said the NGO is optimistic that the Indonesian government would be able to declare a logging moratorium in the country in 2010.

Thursday, January 7, 2010
Minister: Forestry Sector to Become Emissions Net Sinker
Jakarta, - Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan said the forestry sector would be a net sinker capable of absorbing up to 0.89 giga tons of CO2 by 2020.

Rupiah Strengthens Further to 9,200 Per US Dollar
Jakarta - The rupiah strengthened to nearly Rp9,200 per US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market on Thursday morning as positive factors enticed market players to buy up rupiahs.

BI Maintains Key Rate at 6.5 Percent
Jakarta, - The Board of Governors of BI (Bank Indonesia) at meeting here on Wednesday decided to maintain the BI Rate at the level of 6.5 percent.

RI's Forex Reserves Reach US$ 66.1 Billion
Jakarta, - Indonesia's foreign exchange reserves reached the record figure of US$66.1 billion at the end of 2009, a Bank Indonesia or central bank official said.

ITB Organizes International Conference of Earth and Space Sciences
TEMPO Interactive, Bandung:More than 100 academics and experts, Thursday (7/1), gathered at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).

RI to Watch 'Okeanos' Exploration Activities
Jakarta, - The Indonesian government will supervise the operations of a US oceanic research vessel, the 'Okeanos', which will undertake studies on Indonesia's undersea geological, biological and mineral resources in North Sulawesi in June.

Jamu to be Used in Public Health Services: Minister
Kendal, C Java, - Jamu or traditional Indonesian herbal medicine will in future be used in public health services alongside conventional drugs, Health Minister Endang Rahayu S. said here Wednesday.

Tulamben, Scuba Diving Heaven
Tulamben, known in the diving world as one of Bali's premier dive locations, preserves a piece of history as its visitors and residents protect its marine life.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010
President Satisfied About Country's 2009 Economic Performance
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia`s economic performance in 2009 was quite sound despite the global economic crisis.

President: Conducive Conditions Key to Successful Development
Jakarta, - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said conducive domestic conditions are the key to the success of the country's economic development in the next five years.

SBY Eyes 6.6% Average Annual Growth Rate
Indonesia's economy may grow by an average annual rate of 6.6 percent over the next five years and reach 7 percent by the end of 2014, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at the opening of the first trading day in 2010 of the Indonesia Stock Exchange.

Investment in Mining to Top $2.5B in 2010
The government plans to invest US$2.5 billion in the mining sector, an official said Tuesday.

Finance Minister: Capital Market Must Promote Real Sector
Jakarta, - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati called on the capital market on Monday to increase its role in driving the real sector to help boost economic growth.

Power Supply Problems Overcome by October 2010 : Minister
Jakarta, - The electricity supply problems in a number of regions in Indonesia will be overcome by October 2010, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Radjasa said here on Monday.

Insight: Gus Dur, His Cultural Legacy Lives On
Indonesia saw out the year 2009 with unexpected sadness in the passing of one of the country's most valuable individuals: Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.

Monday, January 4, 2010
Rupiah Appreciates 85 Points
Jakarta - The rupiah rose against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market by 85 points from Rp9.335-Rp9.345 per dollar compared to Rp9.420-Rp9.430 per dollar at the market`s close at the weekend.

RI Projects This Year's Fishery Product Exports at US$ 2.9 Million
Jakarta, - Indonesia sets its 2010 fishery product exports at US$ 2.9 million, a marine and fisheries affairs official said.

President Opens 2010 IDX Prime Trade
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially started the stock trading activities of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) at 9:30 a.m JAT (Jakarta Automated Trading) time on Monday, by pressing the inaugural button.

Government's Policies to Face Past Crisis Correct: President
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the government had pursued correct policies in the economic field in the face of last year`s global financial crisis.

Inflation in 2009 the Lowest in a Decade
The country's 2009 inflation rate touched 2.78 percent, the lowest full year level (December-to-December) in a decade, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) announced Monday.

Government to Consider Hero's Titles for Gus Dur, Soeharto
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will put proposals to name the late former presidents Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) and Soeharto through the mechanism required by the law, a presidential spokesman said.