• Use of Bitcoin as Payment Instrument Banned by Indonesia's Central Bank

    The use of bitcoin, the hotly debated digital currency that was launched in 2009, is banned by the central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia). This week, Bank Indonesia released a press release in which it states that the bitcoin and other virtual currencies are not considered as currencies nor legal payment instruments in Indonesia. After China, Denmark and Russia, Indonesia has become the next country to ban the use of the bitcoin as it can jeopardize the country's financial stability according to the assessment of the bank.

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  • Bank Indonesia: Growth in Q4-2013 Improved and Became More Balanced

    The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) stated that economic growth during the fourth quarter of 2013 was recorded at 5.72 percent (yoy), thus having increased compared to the previous quarter (5.63 percent, yoy), and which is also higher than Bank Indonesia's estimate (5.7 percent). With this development, the overall economic expansion in 2013 reached 5.78 percent. Bank Indonesia considers that the fundamental condition of Indonesia’s economy is still relatively robust.

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  • Which Indonesian Companies Are Expected to Go Public in Q1-2014?

    Indonesia's new Financial Services Authority (OJK) is currently processing plans of several companies that intend to conduct their initial public offering (IPO) on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the first quarter of 2014. Continued enthusiasm of companies for a listing on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) indicates bullish sentiment. Director of the IDX, Ito Warsito, expects a total of 15 new listings in Q1-2014, while the target for full year 2014 remains at 30. In 2013, 31 companies were added on the IDX.

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  • Weather Conditions in Brazil and Indonesia Cause Surge in Coffee Prices

    Prices of coffee have surged 24 percent in 2014 as Brazil experienced the warmest January ever and the least rainfall in 20 years. Being a major arabica bean producer, Brazil's weather conditions particularly influence the arabica coffee price. The arabica coffee price has jumped 26 percent in seven trading sessions, the highest level since July 2000. Meanwhile, weather forecasts do not seem to indicate the arrival of a sufficient amount of rainfall in the remainder of February and March before the dry season kicks in in April.

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