• Human Capital Report 2015: Indonesia Lags Behind Regional Peers

    According to the Human Capital Report 2015, released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), Indonesia only ranks 69th out of 124 countries in terms of human capital development, signalling the importance of enhancing the education system of Indonesia. Alarmingly, Indonesia ranks well below most of its regional peers, for example Singapore (24th), the Philippines (46th), Malaysia (52nd), Thailand (57th) and Vietnam (59th). A low ranking means that a country fails to develop and deploy its human capital potential.

    Lanjut baca ›

  • Indonesia’s Current Account Deficit Improves to 1.8% of GDP in Q1-2015

    The central bank (Bank Indonesia) announced on Friday (15/05) that Indonesia’s current account deficit narrowed to USD $3.8 billion, or, 1.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2015. Although this result is slightly higher than Bank Indonesia’s estimation (1.6 percent of GDP), it was lower than the current account deficits in Q4-2014 (2.6 percent of GDP) or Q1-2014 (1.9 percent). This positive performance was mainly caused by a narrowing deficit in the country’s oil & gas trade balance.

    Lanjut baca ›

  • Forest Moratorium Indonesia Extended but Has Limited Success

    On Wednesday (13/05), Indonesian President Joko Widodo showed his commitment to protect Indonesia’s biodiversity-rich environment as he extended the moratorium on the clearing of primary forest and peat-land by another two years. This moratorium, which had been first implemented by Widodo’s predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in May 2011, aims to combat rapid deforestation in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Furthermore, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry will study how it can further strengthen the moratorium.

    Lanjut baca ›

  • Foreign Ownership Indonesian Property; Is it Possible?

    Without giving details about the time frame, Indonesian Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said that the government will soon allow foreigners to own luxurious apartments in Indonesia. This move would be the government’s latest move to boost the slowing economy. Currently, private foreign individuals cannot purchase property or own land in Indonesia. This prohibition has been in place for many years as Indonesian authorities were concerned that foreign ownership of Indonesian property and land would surge significantly.

    Lanjut baca ›