Government-led infrastructure development is regarded by most analysts and policymakers as the key to overcome Indonesia’s slowing economic growth as infrastructure development will cause a multiplier effect in the economy (triggering growth in other industries such as cement and property while job availability grows accordingly). In the second quarter of 2015, Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed to 4.67 percent (y/y), a six-year low.

Read column ›

The declining crude palm oil (CPO) price in the world market and the imposition of the USD $50 per ton export levy on CPO by the Indonesian government, effective from 16 July 2015, has severely affected Indonesian oil palm planters with the worst affected being the small holders and plasma farmers as they carry the highest production cost.

Read column ›

Based on Indonesian Law 5 of 1960 on the Basic Provisions concerning the Fundamentals of Agrarian Affairs (Land Law), only Indonesian citizens are able to fully own Indonesian land. The rights of foreigners and foreign investment companies to own land are limited. In this column we will provide an overview of the types of land rights available to foreign investors in Indonesia: hak guna-usaha (the right to cultivate), hak guna-bangunan (the right to build), and hak pakai (the right to use).

Read column ›

One of the solid growing markets in Indonesia that remains untapped is the water purifier market. Although Indonesia holds six percent of the world’s fresh water resources, the quality of Indonesia’s public piped water is inadequate (contaminated with E. coli, fecal coliforms and other pathogens). Moreover, roughly 80 percent of the Indonesian population lacks access to piped water hence relying on river water for drinking, washing and bathing. However, the water of most Indonesian rivers do not meet drinking water requirements.

Read column ›