Below is a list with tagged columns and company profiles.

Today's Headlines Japan

  • Infrastructure in Indonesia: Start Construction Patimbang Seaport in June

    Indonesia's Transportation Ministry is optimistic that the construction of the Patimban Seaport in Subang (West Java) can commence in June 2018 after the Idul Fitri celebrations have completed. Meanwhile, the port operator tender is scheduled to be opened in July 2018. The USD $3.1 billion Patimban seaport is envisaged to become a key international seaport in Indonesia with a 7.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) capacity.

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  • JICA & Indonesia Sign Loan Agreement for National Strategic Projects

    The Indonesian government sign an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a soft loan related to the funding of two national strategic priority projects. The government will borrow 127.2 billion Japanese yen (approx. USD $1.1 billion) for the construction of the Patimban Seaport in West Java (USD $1.05 billion) and for turning the Gadjah Mada University into a world class university (USD $66.67 million).

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  • Unprecedented North Korea Provocation Hits Asian Markets

    Early this morning (Tuesday 29 August) North Korea fired another ballistic missile test. This time, however, the missile went over the northern part of Japan, an apparent attempt to provoke those who oppose North Korea's test program. The test did not lead to damage or injuries and broke into three pieces before plunging in the Pacific Ocean. While the world is now particularly waiting for a response from the USA, markets have already responded.

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  • These 5 Japanese Brands Control 90% of Indonesia's Car Market

    Five automotive brands from Japan controlled car sales in Indonesia in the first half of 2017 with a dominating (combined) market share of about 90 percent. Based on data from the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (Gaikindo), Toyota, Daihatsu, Honda, Mitsubishi and Suzuki accounted for about 90 percent of total car sales in Indonesia during the January-June 2017 period. In total, 533,903 car units were sold in this six-month period.

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  • Investment Grade Rating from S&P to Boost Capital flows into Indonesia

    American finance firm Goldman Sachs Group Inc expects a big flow of funds from Japan to enter Indonesia's capital markets if credit rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) decides to upgrade Indonesia's sovereign debt rating to investment grade. While Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investors Service have already upgraded Indonesia to investment grade status several years ago, S&P still rates Indonesia's debt one notch below investment grade, implying various big institutional investors cannot invest in Indonesian debt as they require investment grade ratings from all three key credit ratings agencies.

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  • Japan & Indonesia to Cooperate on Key Infrastructure Projects

    Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will witness the signing of a joint study (a cooperation between Indonesia's Transportation Ministry and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA) into the medium speed railway - connecting Jakarta to Surabaya - on 15 January 2017 at the Presidential Palace in Bogor. Besides the medium speed railway, Widodo and Abe will also discuss funding for a deep-sea port project in Patimban (West Java) as well as contracts for the Masela oil & gas block in eastern Indonesia.

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  • Stock Market Update Asia & Indonesia: What's in the News?

    There is plenty of news that is impacting on Asia's financial markets this morning: a big earthquake (as well as tsunami alert) occurred in Japan's Fukushima, the crude oil price surged to a three-week high, US stocks touched record high levels overnight, while Indonesian authorities officially banned another "anti-Ahok protest" rally. Most Asian stocks are rising on Tuesday morning (22/11) although Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index started in the red. However, the index quickly entered green territory some time later. Meanwhile, the rupiah remains under pressure. Lets take a closer look.

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  • Trans-Pacific Partnership Makes Indonesia Attractive for Investment

    The Indonesian government under the leadership of President Joko Widodo is eager to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the trade deal (signed in October 2015) that involves twelve countries, including the USA and Japan. However, opinions vary about whether it would be a wise decision for Indonesia to join the TPP. Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesian Minister of Industry, is a supporter, claiming that Indonesia can become a more attractive export hub for Japanese manufacturers due to zero export tariffs.

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  • Analysis Indonesian Economy: What about Indonesia's Economy in 2017?

    Although the economy of Indonesia will continue to face challenges in 2017, there are a couple of matters that give rise to optimism about accelerating economic growth. These were the conclusions drawn at the Entrepreneur Networking Forum that was held by Bank Tabungan Negara Pensiunan Nasional in Bandung (West Java) on Wednesday (14/09). Although expectations were recently revised down (due to government budget cuts), Indonesian economic growth is still set to rebound in 2016 after having experienced several years of slowdown.

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  • Stock Market & Rupiah Update Indonesia: Down on Trade Data

    Contrary to the positive performance of most emerging market stocks, Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index fell more than one percent on Monday (15/08). While other markets were supported by advances in crude oil prices and a rally in Chinese shares, Indonesian shares declined on the nation's weak trade data that were released by Indonesia's Statistics Agency today. Investors were eager to use this opportunity to engage in profit taking as the Jakarta Composite Index nearly touched a record-high level after an impressive recent rally.

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Latest Columns Japan

  • Positive Outlook Investments in Indonesia’s Food & Beverage Industry

    Investment in Indonesia’s processed food and beverage industry is expected to grow at least ten percent to IDR 55 trillion (USD $4.6 billion) in 2015 from an estimated investment realization of IDR 50 trillion in 2014. Adhi Lukman, General Chairman of the Indonesian Food and Beverage Association (GAPMMI), said that investments in this sector have been solid due to rising consumption of food and beverages in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Particularly foreign investments have been strong in 2014 and are expected to continue next year.

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  • Concerns about the Global Economy also Hurt Indonesian Stocks

    In line with global stock indices, the benchmark index of Indonesia (Jakarta Composite Index, abbreviated IHSG) declined on Thursday’s trading day. Falling indices on Wall Street were a major concern to global investors as weak corporate and economic data may indicate that the economic recovery of the USA is not as structural as previously assumed. The NY empire state manufacturing index, US retail sales, US chain store sales, and US business inventories all weakened and ‘infected’ Asian stock indices, including the IHSG.

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  • How Did Indonesian Stocks & Rupiah Perform in the Past Week?

    In line with the volatile performance of global stocks, led by indices on Wall Street, the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (Jakarta Composite Index, or abbreviated IHSG) showed a volatile performance over the past week. US stocks mostly declined - except for the sharp rebound on Wednesday after Federal Reserve minutes signalled no higher US interest rates anytime soon - on concerns about the global economy (particularly the Eurozone), looming higher US interest rates, and the appreciating US dollar (hurting US exports).

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  • How did Indonesian Stocks & Rupiah Perform on Thursday?

    It was a relief for investors to learn that the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (Jakarta Composite Index, or IHSG) rebounded on Thursday (09/10) after having experienced a sharp decline on the previous day. The IHSG was supported by rising Asian stocks after indices on Wall Street had surged on Wednesday (08/10). Wall Street was up as minutes of the latest Federal Reserve meeting signalled that US interest rates will remain low 'for a while'. Another positive factor was that today’s appreciation of the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate.

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  • IMF & World Bank about Global Economic Growth and Indonesia

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) slightly cut its outlook for global economic expansion for both 2014 and 2015. The institution decided to lower its forecast due to weaker growth in Japan, Latin America and Europe. According the IMF’s latest estimate, the global economy will grow 3.3 percent year-on-year (y/y) in 2014, down from its previous estimate of 3.4 percent y/y, and 3.8 percent y/y in 2015 (down from 4.0 percent y/y in its July estimate). This is the third time this year that the IMF has had to cut its global economic growth forecast.

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  • Jakarta Composite Index Rises 0.85% on China Growth & Indonesian Politics

    Despite China’s positive economic growth of 7.5 percent in the second quarter of 2014, most Asian stock indices were down. Only Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (HSI) managed to show a slight gain as large cap stocks were sought after. The HSI impacted positively on the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) on Wednesday (16/07) which climbed 0.85 percent to 5,113.93 points on Wednesday (16/07). Foreign investors recorded net buying.

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  • Stock Market Update: Indonesian Stocks Fall on Political Uncertainty

    Although the benchmark stock index (known as Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) started the day in the green zone, it ended down due to profit taking as market participants prefer to wait for the official result of the Indonesian presidential election first. Both presidential candidates (Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto) declared a victory based on different unofficial quick count results. This has resulted in political uncertainty in Southeast Asia’s largest economy and thus investors refrain from buying Indonesian assets.

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  • Indonesia Stock Market Up 0.69%; What about the Influence of Ramadan?

    Despite Hong Kong’s falling Hang Seng Index (HSI), the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) managed to climb 0.69 percent to 4,878.58 points on Monday (30/06). A number of reasons can be cited that positively influenced the performance of the IHSG. These are higher US Michigan Consumer Sentiment, positive forecasts for tomorrow’s release of June inflation and the May trade balance of Indonesia, declining global oil prices and the appreciating Indonesian rupiah exchange rate.

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  • Indonesia Stock Market Update: 1.25% Rebound on Tuesday

    Just as unexpected as yesterday when the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (known as Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) fell 1.06 percent amid positive domestic and international circumstances, the IHSG made a surprise rebound on Tuesday’s trading day. Yesterday’s fall was exorbitant and unfounded and today market participants made up for that performance by accumulating stocks that had lost value. As a result the IHSG gained 1.25 percent to 4,946.09 points on Tuesday (10/06).

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  • 20 Japanese Food and Beverage Companies Plan to Invest in Indonesia

    A total of twenty Japanese companies engaged in the food and beverage industry are exploring investment opportunities in Indonesia. According to research conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the food and beverage industry of Indonesia is regarded as a lucrative investment opportunity by these companies. If realized, these foreign direct investments could be worth between USD $400 million to USD $1 billion. However, JICA’s research did not mention any names of the Japanese companies.

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