President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, mentioned in his speech ahead of the Independence Day that Indonesia's per capita GDP is expected to rise to USD $5,000 by 2014. An increasing per capita GDP triggers domestic consumption among Indonesia's rapidly expanding middle class segment and thus forms a catalyst for economic activity in the country. As can be seen in the table below, Indonesia's per capita GDP grew steadily between 2006 and 2012. In 2010, it hit the important level of USD $3,000.

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Data from Indonesia´s central bank, Bank Indonesia, indicate that Indonesia´s retail sales grew 14.8 percent in June 2013 compared to the same month last year. The growth was higher than expected. Previously, a survey among Indonesian retailers showed that a growth rate of 10.8 percent was expected in June. In May 2013, retail sales had climbed about 12 percent (YoY). As such, these numbers are evidence of growing domestic consumption led by the country´s rapidly expanding middle class.

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According to research conducted by Nielsen Indonesia, Indonesia's middle class is the world's most optimistic middle class segment in the second quarter of 2013. Indonesia leads the Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions index with 124 points, followed by the Philippines (121 points) and India (118 points). The average global consumer index stands at 94 points. It is interesting to note that Asian countries top the index. The emerging Asia Pacific region is far above the 94-points average with 105 points.

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Electronic City Indonesia (ECI), a leading electronics retailer in Indonesia, plans to conduct an initial public offering (IPO) on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in June 2013. According to the company's website, Electronic City is Indonesia's first modern electronic convenience store, specialized in selling electronic products for Indonesia's middle class and elite. Through the IPO, the company hopes to raise about USD $150 million which will be used for capital expenditure.

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Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa is the second largest cement producer of Indonesia in terms of market share. Its operations are spread across factories in West Java and South Kalimantan, comprising a total of 12 plants. At end 2012, Indocement’s total installed design capacity was 18.6 million tons of cement per year. Indocement offers a diversified range of cement products which are sold under the “Tiga Roda” brand. Indonesia's cement sector has shown a steep increase in domestic cement production and consumption.

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One of the industries that has been showing remarkable growth in recent years in Indonesia is the aviation industry. Blessed with robust macro economic growth and a burgeoning middle class, the country's population is increasingly using airplanes as means of transportation. Considering the magnitude of Indonesia, its island rich composition and underdeveloped road and rail network, air travel is an efficient option.

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Both Indonesia's cement production and cement consumption have risen rapidly in recent years. As the country has been showing solid economic growth for a decade - and is forecast to continue this growth -, property and infrastructure projects have grown in number accordingly, thus increasing demand for building materials such as cement. Moreover, the government is committed to enhance the country's much-needed infrastructure development.

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