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Today's Headlines Toll Roads
It has been a while since we last covered Indonesia’s logistics sector, and so it is time for a new analysis on this topic. This is particularly relevant because the World Bank recently released a new Logistics Performance Index report (July 2023).
Basuki Hadimuljono, Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, said the government continues to push for infrastructure development in the form of toll roads in various regions across Indonesia.
The Indonesian government targets to see 17 toll road projects, all part of the national strategic projects program, being completed before the end of 2019. Two of these projects - (1) the 7.2 km-long Bekasi-Cawang-Kampung Melayu toll road and (2) the 11 km-long Bogor Ring Road - are estimated to be ready for the public before the end of 2018. Combined, the 17 toll road projects cost IDR 105.35 trillion (approx. USD $7.6 billion) and will contribute to improved connectivity in Southeast Asia's largest economy.
Starting from today (Tuesday 31 October 2017) all toll roads in Indonesia only accept e-money (effectively ending the use of cash for payments at the toll road exit or entrance gates). This is part of the government's ambition to create a cashless society (hence becoming a more efficient and transparent society).
Bali, the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia (and therefore an important destination for foreign direct investment, or FDI), is optimistic that it will achieve its full-year 2017 investment target. Ida Bagus Made Parwata, Head of Bali's Investment Board (BPMP), said the island targets to see IDR 12.4 trillion (approx. USD $918 million) worth of investment in 2017.
State-controlled construction company Waskita Karya obtained a syndicated loan of IDR 5 trillion (approx. USD $375 million) from a group of nine banks. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) acts as sole mandated lead arranger and book-runner for the five-year loan, while the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited Jakarta branch acts as mandated lead arranger.
Per 31 October 2017 payments on Indonesia's toll roads will be done entirely non-cash, using electronic money. This policy is part of authorities' ambition to create a cashless society and is expected to speed up the payment process at the toll roads, hence easing severe traffic congestion.
While authorities plan to have scrapped cash payments altogether at the nation's toll road booths by October 2017, most Indonesians continue to use cash when paying for toll road tickets. Based on the latest data, only 28 percent of toll road payments in June were done using electronic money. The plan to end cash payments at toll roads is part of the country's push for a cashless society.
The Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road on the eastern coast line on the island of Kalimantan (in the province of East Kalimantan) will be extended to include the city of Bontang. During a visit to Balikpapan at the start of the week, Indonesian President Joko Widodo confirmed the extension plan. It implies that the project will more than double in length. The distance between Balikpapan and Samarinda is around 99 kilometers. However, from Samarinda further northeastwards to Bontang stretches across 116 kilometers.
The Indonesia Toll Road Authority (in Indonesian: Badan Pengatur Jalan Tol, or BPJT), which is a department within Indonesia's Ministry of Public Works and Housing, says there are 11 investors that compete for four toll road projects. Combined, these four projects are estimated to have a total value of IDR 41.5 trillion (approx. USD $3 billion). The 11 investors - all having passed the prequalification process - are requested to send their proposals for the tender process. Before the end of 2016, the Indonesian government is expected to announce the winners of the tenders.
Latest Columns Toll Roads
The Indonesian government is studying the possibility of cutting toll road prices for specific trucks, hence companies engaged in transportation logistics would be the key beneficiaries. The study comes after stakeholders have complained about the expensive prices that are charged by toll road operators (most of which are state-controlled companies). Indonesian President Joko Widodo said a price cut of up to 30 percent is possible. A cheaper price would improve the competitiveness in the logistics sector.
Last week Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated the 41.7-kilometer Parbarakan-Sei Rampah section of the Medan-Kualanamu-Tebing Tinggi toll road in North Sumatra. This Parbarakan-Sei Rampah section is now the longest piece of toll road on the island of Sumatra and will boost connectivity in the province of North Sumatra.
On Tuesday (12/09) shares of government-controlled construction company Waskita Karya plunged 11.27 percent to IDR 1,870 a piece, while shares of its subsidiary Waskita Beton Precast fell 8.64 percent to IDR 402 per share. Hence both companies were among the ten top losers on the Indonesia Stock Exchange yesterday. What explains this huge sell-off?
One of the toll roads that is high on the Indonesian government's priority list is the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road in East Kalimantan. The project is part of the government's quest to boost infrastructure development, thus reduce the nation's high logistics costs and make local businesses more competitive. However, as with every big infrastructure project in Southeast Asia's largest economy, there are bottlenecks that have caused a significant delay.
Indonesian state-controlled toll road operator - yet listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange - Jasa Marga considers to issue rupiah-denominated global bonds as an alternative source to seek funds for investment in toll road infrastructure development. Donny Arsal, Finance Director of Jasa Marga, said the company needs IDR 7 trillion (approx. USD $526 million) for investment in 2017. These funds should be collected through bonds, asset securitization, and bank loans.
The controversial Batang power plant in Central Java is expected to be completed in 2020 now all land acquisition disputes have been resolved. This USD $4.2 billion power plant experienced a long delay as about a dozen of local farmers were reluctant to sell their land to the developers of the project. In February 2016 Indonesia's Supreme Court ruled in favor of the project developers. Indonesian President Joko Widodo is a supporter of this project.
Approaching the end of 2016 it is interesting to take a look whether the Indonesian government achieved its target in terms of infrastructure development. In this column we zoom in on toll road construction. Before 2016 started the central government - under the leadership of President Joko Widodo - targeted to see the construction of 136 kilometers of new toll roads this year. However, two weeks before the end of 2016 only 44 kilometers of new toll roads have been developed this year, achieving only 32 percent of the target.
State-controlled toll road constructor and operator Jasa Marga is expected to post rising revenue and net profit in the years to come as its toll road network is expanding amid the government's drive to push for infrastructure development, including toll road development. Recently Jasa Marga was awarded four toll road projects - all on the island of Java - with a total length of 262.3 kilometers (valued at IDR 18.4 trillion). Up to 2017 Jasa Marga plans to commission some 313 kilometers of toll road.
The Indonesian government plans to offer 10 toll road projects - with a total length of 520.83 kilometers - to investors before the end of the year. The projects are estimated to have a total value of IDR 109.58 trillion (approx. USD $8.3 billion). The offering of these projects are in line with the government's efforts to boost infrastructure development across the country. Such development will enhance inter and intra island connectivity, thus curbing the nation's high logistics costs and offer a more attractive investment climate to (potential) investors.
Construction company Waskita Karya is expected to be among the main beneficiaries of the multi-year Trans-Java toll road project. The company, in which the Indonesian government owns a 68 percent stake, has been assigned to develop six (out of a total of 19) sections of the Trans-Java toll road including the sections Pemalang-Batang, Solo-Ngawi and Ngawi-Kertosono. Waskita Karya's participation in this project will not only strengthen the company's investment portfolio in Indonesia's toll road sector but will also imply rising precast concrete sales of its subsidiary Waskita Beton Precast (established in 2013).
Associated businesses Toll Roads
