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.
August is typically a special month for Indonesia because on the 17th of August the nation commemorates its Independence Day. Unfortunately, however, celebrations had to be quite sober this year as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still spreading across the country.
On Wednesday (02/09/2020) Indonesia Investments released the August 2020 edition of its monthly report. In this edition, titled 'In Search of a Vaccine', we discuss the efforts that are being made in Indonesia to deliver a safe and reliable vaccine for the COVID-19 virus and provide an overview of Indonesia's pharmaceutical industry.
Based on the latest data from the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), total investment realization in Indonesia fell 4.3 percent year-on-year (y/y) in the second quarter of 2020 (these data do not include investment in the banking and oil and gas sectors). The decline is attributed to the COVID-19 crisis that has paralyzed the global and domestic economies.
While Indonesia’s manufacturing activity has remained contracting in July 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 crisis that seriously disrupts consumption, production and trade flows, the positive news is that the rate of contraction eased significantly.
