Indonesia to suspend some palm oil export permits – officials
JAKARTA – Indonesia will suspend some palm oil export permits to secure domestic supply amid rising cooking oil prices ahead of upcoming Islamic festivals, senior cabinet minister Luhut Pandjaitan said on his official Instagram account on Monday. Palm oil exporters had accumulated large shipment quotas…
ASEAN Countries in Talks for Regional EV Ecosystem
JAKARTA – ASEAN member states are in talks for a regional ecosystem of electric vehicles as chair Indonesia seeks to make Southeast Asia remain an epicenter of economic growth, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry. “This is about how we can set up a regional [EV]…
ASEAN tourism adept at facing global challenges: Minister
YOGYAKARTA – Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno is optimistic that tourism in ASEAN would continue to grow through support from improvement of human resources and MSMEs to be able to face global economic challenges. The growth in international tourist visits in 2022…
ASEAN chairmanship: Kadin to introduce seven breakthroughs
JAKARTA – The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), which is chairing the 2023 ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), will introduce seven legacy breakthroughs on five priority issues during Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship this year. The information was conveyed by Kadin chairperson and chair of…
President Jokowi kicks off Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship in Jakarta
JAKARTA – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo delivered an opening speech at the 2023 ASEAN Indonesia Chairmanship Kick-Off event on Sunday, organized by the Foreign Ministry and the Jakarta administration Government of DKI Jakarta at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta. Jokowi expressed confidence…
S. Korea to Make Indonesia Production Base in ASEAN with IK-CEPA
JAKARTA – South Korea intends to make Indonesia a production base in ASEAN, now that both countries are eliminating most of their tariffs, including on auto parts and steel, according to its government official on Thursday. The Indonesia-Korea Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (IK-CEPA) came into force…
Indonesia Seeks to Boost Bilateral Trade with Saudi Arabia
JAKARTA – Indonesia aims to reduce the deficit in bilateral trade with Saudi Arabia, which became its major trade partner last year, amid huge reliance on oil imports from the Kingdom, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said on Sunday. The bilateral trade volume was valued at around…
Bali welcomes back first flight from China after Covid-19 rules ease
BADUNG – A total of 210 Chinese tourists getting on board a chartered plane arrived at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in the Indonesian resort island of Bali on Sunday. The Chinese nationals are allowed to travel abroad for the first time in almost…
Indonesia’s Bakrie Group seeks nickel mine, partners up for $9 bln EV project
JAKARTA – Indonesian conglomerate Bakrie & Brothers (BNBR.JK) is looking to acquire a nickel mine in the resource-rich island of Sulawesi to supply a planned integrated industrial park to produce electric vehicle batteries, an executive said on Friday. Also known as the Bakrie Group, which…
2023 state budget focused on employment, poverty alleviation: Jokowi
JAKARTA – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appealed to all ministerial ranks to channel the 2023 state budget into productive activities, especially pertaining to job creation. “The 2023 state budget must be focused on productive activities, especially in the context of job creation and poverty alleviation,”…