Indonesia Investments' News Columns section contains articles with a detailed analysis regarding topics that have high news value in Indonesia and can be regarded as topics that are capable of influencing Indonesia's investment climate. Most columns published in this section cover subjects related to politics, economics and social matters. By following these publications on a regular basis, one will be apprised of what is happening in Indonesia and - just as important - understand why it is happening.
For Indonesia August is typically a month in which politics are on the foreground as the country commemorates its Independence Day on each 17th of August. This is an important day in Indonesian history as well as an occasion for many festivities and celebrations around the country.
Indonesia’s economic growth in the second quarter of 2024 (Q2-2024) was good, although slightly below our projection of 5.1 percent year-on-year (y/y). According to the latest gross domestic product (GDP) data, which were released by Indonesia’s Statistical Agency (in Indonesian: Badan Pusat Statistik, BPS) on 5 August 2024, the Indonesian economy expanded by 5.05 percent (y/y) in Q2-2024.
Rice, a cereal grain that is cultivated extensively in warm climates, has always been a crucial food commodity for Indonesians, as the majority of Indonesians (whether rich or poor) eat rice two (or three) times per day. Rice is, in fact, the cornerstone of Indonesia’s food culture, especially in the rural areas.
In terms of politics, the most interesting developments in June 2024 probably came from abroad. Firstly, on 28 June 2024, US President Joe Biden (aged 81) and former President Donald Trump (aged 78) squared off for the first presidential debate of the US election season. It’s worth taking a quick look at this debate as it will influence who will become leader of the world’s biggest political and economic force.
