Turnover in the packaging industry of Indonesia stood at around IDR 50 trillion (approx. USD $3.8 billion) in the first three quarters of 2016, flat from turnover generated in the same period one year earlier. Ariana Susanti, Director of Business Development at the Indonesian Packaging Federation (FPI), said turnover in the industry grew in Q1-2016 but was under pressure in the following two quarters. Overall, the situation is still better in 2016 compared to 2015 when - amid sliding economic growth and bleak purchasing power - turnover fell.

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Indonesia's Statistics Agency (BPS) announced that the nation's trade surplus improved to USD $1.22 billion in September 2016, the highest monthly surplus over the past 13 months. The rising surplus was primarily the result of a growing non-oil & gas trade surplus. However, both Indonesia's exports and imports contracted on an annual basis. But because imports declined more rapidly, Southeast Asia's largest economy managed to record a solid trade surplus in September, beating analysts' estimates, by far (that averaged around USD $450 million).

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Indonesia's tax amnesty program, which was launched in July 2016 and will run until 31 March 2017, can be labeled a success. Up to 16 October 2016, a total of IDR 3,842.9 trillion (approx. USD $296 billion) worth of assets (either at home or abroad) have been declared to Indonesia's tax authorities nearly achieving the government's target of IDR 4,000 trillion. However, asset repatriations (from the so-called tax havens) are not a success, being far from the government's initial projection and therefore Indonesian authorities are now easing regulations.

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The Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association (AISI) expects Indonesia's motorcycle sales to rebound in 2017. Based on the latest estimates, sales of two-wheelers will rise 10 percent (y/y) to 6.6 million next year from an estimated 6 million vehicles in 2016. This year sales are expected to drop slightly over 7 percent (y/y) compared to 6.48 million sold motorcycles in 2015. AISI Chairman Gunadi Sindhuwinata said there are several reasons that should cause rebounding motorcycle sales next year.

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