Income distribution inequality is a problem in Indonesia, one that can jeopardize social, political and economic cohesion in Southeast Asia's largest economy. When looking at the Gini ratio, which is the coefficient that measures the degree of inequality in income distribution, we see a sharp rise in income inequality in Indonesia in the post-Suharto era. Thus, democracy and decentralization created an environment that allowed for rising inequality. While in the 1990s Indonesia's Gini ratio stood at an average of 0.30, it rose to an average of 0.39 in the 2000s, and remained stable at 0.41 in the years 2011-2015 before easing slightly to 0.40 in 2016.

Lanjut baca ›

Based on the latest data from the Indonesian Oil Palm Estate Fund (BPDP-KS), Indonesia exported 25.7 million tons of crude palm oil (CPO) in full-year 2016, a 1.9 percent year-on-year (y/y) decline from 26.2 million tons of CPO shipments in the preceding year. However, in terms of value Indonesia's CPO exports actually surged 8 percent (y/y) to USD $17.8 billion in 2016. Indonesia is the world's largest exporter and producer of palm oil, followed by Malaysia.

Lanjut baca ›

The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) announced that the nation's foreign exchange reserves climbed to USD $116.4 billion at the end of December 2016, up from USD $111.5 billion one month earlier. Growth was attributed to foreign exchange receipts, primarily stemming from the issuance of government global bonds debt securities, the withdrawal of government foreign loans, tax revenues and oil & gas export proceeds, that all surpassed the use of foreign exchange for government external debt repayments and Bank Indonesia's maturing foreign exchange bills.

Lanjut baca ›

Indonesian paper manufacturers may see their exports fall further in 2017 as Australia and the United States have implemented high anti-dumping import duties on paper from Indonesia. Liana Bratasida, Executive Director Indonesia Pulp & Paper Association (APKI), said several local paper manufacturers stopped shipments to Australia after the country implemented anti-dumping import duties in the range of 2.4 - 72.8 percent in December 2016. Reportedly, it has become not feasible for these companies to continue the export of paper.

Lanjut baca ›