The Today's Headlines section of Indonesia Investments is a regularly updated section which contains the latest information with regard to topics that are currently causing headlines in Indonesia's media. Most of our headlines cover political, economic and social matters. As a consequence of their recent nature, these topics may not have crystallized fully yet and can, therefore, lack a profound analysis. For publications with a more in-depth understanding of subjects, we refer you to our News, Financial or Business columns.
Indonesian cement manufacturers remain optimistic that domestic cement consumption in Indonesia will rise more markedly in the second half of the year. In the first half of the year national cement sales rose 3.48 percent year-on-year (y/y) to 30.0 million tons.
The Indonesian government plans to speed up the implementation of the B30 biodiesel program in the country's transportation sector. Initially the government wanted to implement the program in 2020. However, the government now targets for 2019. The B30 program means that the mandatory content of fatty methyl ester in biofuel is raised to 30 percent.
According to the latest data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the country's trade balance showed a USD $1.74 billion surplus in June 2018. It was a much bigger surplus than had been estimated by analysts, primarily caused by weaker import growth than had been predicted by analysts.
The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) revised its target for the number of initial public offerings (IPOs) on the IDX to 35 (from 25 previously) in full-year 2019. The revision was made after the IDX detected plenty of demand for future IPOs in Indonesia.
