• Palm Oil Controversy: Indonesia Versus European Union

    Again the government of Indonesia and the European Union (EU) are on opposite sides when it comes to the palm oil sector. Last week, EU parliament passed the Resolution on Palm Oil and Deforestation of Rainforests. This resolution will make it increasingly difficult for Indonesia to export palm oil to the EU as the bloc wants to gradually reduce the use of vegetable oils, including palm oil, that are not sustainably produced in biodiesel. This is a strategy to combat deforestation as well as human rights violations in this sector (for example child labor).

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  • Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Talks Economic Growth

    Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati believes economic growth of Indonesia in 2017 can exceed the target that was set by the central government in the state budget. While the official target in the 2017 State Budget was set at 5.1 percent year-on-year (y/y), Sri Mulyani expects to see the growth rate at 5.2 percent (y/y) on the back of rising consumption and investment, while she predicts an end to the trend of falling imports and exports.

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  • Indonesian Retail Companies in Focus: Mitra Adiperkasa

    The plan of Indonesian retail company Mitra Adiperkasa to sell 20 percent of its stake in subsidiary MAP Boga Adiperkasa is expected to have a good impact on the financial performance and share performance of the company. MAP Boga Adiperkasa is a leading food and beverage retailer that operates five exclusive brands in Indonesia (including Starbucks, Pizza Express, Krispy Kreme, Cold Stone Creamery, and GODIVA).

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  • Pulp and Paper Industry Indonesia: Challenges and Opportunities

    The pulp and paper industry of Indonesia is on the receiving end of plenty of criticism for its negative impact on the environment. However, the industry also plays a major role in the Indonesian economy, accounting for 6.7 percent of the country's processing industry's gross domestic product (GDP) and providing employment to 260,000 direct workers and 1.1 million indirect workers. Last year, in 2016, Indonesia's pulp and paper industry ranked seventh in terms of biggest foreign exchange earners (excluding the oil and gas sector) when it reaped USD $3.79 billion.

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