• Indonesian Stocks & Rupiah Strengthen after US Rate Hike

    Indonesian stocks and the rupiah responded highly positive to the decision of the US Federal Reserve to raise its key Fed Fund Rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday (16/12). Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index) soared 1.62 percent to 4,555.96 points, while the rupiah appreciated 0.44 percent to IDR 14,009 per US dollar. Not only in Indonesia but also globally stocks thrived on the ending of prolonged uncertainty about the timing of the US interest rate hike.

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  • Air Passenger Growth in Indonesia Single-Digit in 2016

    The Indonesia National Air Carrier Association (INACA) expects domestic and international air passengers in Indonesia to grow by about 8-9 percent year-on-year (y/y) in 2016, flat from the estimated growth pace this year (8 percent y/y). Based on the latest data from Indonesia's Statistics Agency (Badan Pusat Statistik/BPS), air passengers in Indonesia stood at 67.5 million in the first ten months of 2015, up 12.8 percent from the number of air passengers in the same period last year.

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  • How Asian Stocks & Currencies React to the Federal Reserve's Interest Rate Hike

    The US Federal Reserve finally decided to raise the Fed Fund Rate by 25 basis points at its December policy meeting (15-16 December) on a considerable improvement in US labor market conditions (the US unemployment rate having fallen to 5 percent) and US inflation projected to meet the Fed's 2 percent target over the medium term. After this announcement US stocks soared. Emerging markets were not hit by severe capital outflows after the rate hike. Asian stock indices strengthened sharply on Thursday morning (17/12).

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  • Indonesia's Plan to Impose Soda Excise Tax Meets Resistance

    The plan of Indonesia's government to set an excise tax of between IDR 2,000 and IDR 3,000 (approx. USD $0.18) per liter on carbonated (soda) drinks met fierce resistance from several institutions. Based on Indonesian law, consumption of goods that have a negative impact on consumers' health or the environment need to be controlled and monitored. The Soft Drinks Industry Association (Asrim), Indonesian Food and Beverage Association (Gapmmi),  and Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) all consider this move to be negative for the country's soft drinks industry.

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