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The article presents an overview of Indonesian economy. Before the introduction of Law No 1 of 1995 concerning limited liability companies there was no specific detailed regulation on mergers and acquisitions in Indonesia. Based on the Company Law, a merger can be classified as either merger "by way of liquidation" or merger" by operation of law." In recent times there have been a number of big M&A transactions in Indonesia, both domestic and involving foreign investors. Most areas of business in Indonesia are now open to direct foreign shareholding.

The article focuses on a 2014 roundtable discussion regarding developments in Indonesia's economy and financial sector. Topics discussed include the effects of the financial crises of 1998 and 2008-2009, changes in the banking industry, and trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia. Roundtable participants include Bank Central Asia president director Jahja Setiaatmadja, Bank Mandiri chief financial officer Pahala Mansury, and Indonesian Stock Exchange director Uriep Budi Prasetyo.

Presents an overview on the success of project finance in Indonesia. Economic indicators; Largest deals closed in recent years; Number of projects by the end of the first half of 1997; Structural concerns; Government role; Prospects for the future.

Tin premiums maintained a steady footing in Europe amid long-term supply contract negotiations on Wednesday November 21, while premiums elsewhere were also flat ahead of a US holiday and with a closed arbitrage window in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the economic conditions in Indonesia. The country's gross domestic product was up by 6 percent in the first half of 2007. But it could be doing better, and to reach that potential, the country needs to develop its infrastructure. According to the Investment Coordinating Board, the target for 2009 is $123 billion of spending on infrastructure in Indonesia, with the government contributing $24 billion.

This article reports on the economic conditions of Indonesia based on the report of Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Indonesian coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs. Aside from advances on the political front, Indonesia has advanced on the road to economic reform with three major watersheds being reached. First, Indonesia has successfully graduated from the International Monetary Fund program and has been following its own reform blueprint as laid out in the Government's White Paper on Economic Policy Program. In addition, tow of the three main institutional legacies of the crisis has now been closed down--the Jakarta Initiative Task Force and the Indonesia Bak Restructuring Agency. The remaining Blanket Guarantee will be replaced by Indonesian Deposit Insurance System through the Parliament. Indonesian economic performance and resilience continued to improved steadily in 2003 and into 204, despite a number of shocks. The strengthening and competitive exchange rate subdued inflation, falling interest rates and growing foreign exchange reserves all contributed to an environment of faster growth. Gross Domestic product growth exceeded estimates at 4.5% in 2003. These improvements in the macroeconomy have been underpinned by steady and consistent economic policy.

The article discusses the growth of the capital market of Indonesia. In investment terms, Indonesia has mirrored the rest of the world. When the technology crash hit the world markets in 2000, the country was still emerging from the 1997 financial crisis. As the government got to grips with the macroeconomy, interest rates started to decline rapidly. The result was the long overdue development of the capital market. Despite the region's equity markets giving strong performances, initial public offerings have been few and far between. The growth of the bond market has come at the right time for the Indonesian government, which is faced with financing a large budget gap as a result of its departure from the International Monetary Fund programme. The government plans to raise the funds from a number of sources, including fresh loans from the international aid donor group Consultative Group on Indonesia. The stock market remains much larger than the bond market, with a market capitalization of Rp252 trillion, annual trading volume at 170 million shares and 331 listed companies. Riding on the back of the strengthened currency, it has performed along with other regional markets and is up nearly 30% in dollar in terms since 2002.

The article discusses the growth of domestic consumption in Indonesia as of September 2003. Domestic consumption has been the steady engine of growth in Indonesia since the financial crisis of 1997. According to the Ministry of Finance, the Indonesian economy registered an annual growth rate of between 3% to 4%, despite its neighboring economies having been affected by the global economic slowdown. Private consumption has consistently grown at annual rates of between 4% to 5%. There are several key indicators of the resilience of Indonesia's domestic market. Sales of motor cycles in Indonesia have increased by a compound annual growth rate of 67% from 1999 through 2002. Non-subsidized housing sales grew by a compound annual growth rate of 23% during the same period. The growth of consumer spending is also reflected in the profitability and growth of big packaged consumer goods companies in the country. Most consumer goods companies in Indonesia have indicated that they expect a more challenging growth environment in the future. The two main drivers of growth in middle-income population and consumer spending in Indonesia are increasing employment opportunities and more financing options.

The article describes the economic condition of Indonesia after the bombing at the JW Marriott hotel in Jakarta in 2003 and the Bali terrorist bombing in 2002. When the coordinating minister for economic affairs, Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti and a team of finance ministers showed up at the Jakarta Stock Exchange on the day after the bombing at the JW Marriott hotel, it gave investors a hint of the difficult act the government is having to perform. The bombing has occurred at a most inopportune time. For several months, confidence in Indonesia had been rising, as it became clear that the government has stabilized the macro economy. The country appeared to have overcome the effects of the Bali bombing, the Iraq war and the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome. Aided by the International Monetary Fund, the government follows a painstaking effort to rebuild the macroeconomy in the wake of the financial crisis. Resilient consumer spending and export-based growth of around 3.4% a year since 2001 has buoyed the efforts. The trade condition turned positive in 2002, with exports up 18% in the first two months of the year. The biggest problem the government faces is that improvements in the macroeconomy have not yet delivered significant higher earnings, purchasing power and more jobs to the majority of the rural population.

Highlights economic and investment prospects in Indonesia. Prediction on its gross domestic product growth for 2003 and 2004; Decline in its fiscal deficit; Catalyst for the country's economic recovery; Key to the positive level of growth on the country's investment market; Progress of its privatization program.

Focuses on the role of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) in the Indonesian economy. Information on the chairman of IBRA, Syafruddin Temenggung; List of the former chairpersons of the agency; Details of the country's gross domestic product in 2001; Economic growth of Indonesia. INSET: IBRA's role in jumpstarting confidence.

Discusses the failure of Indonesian government economic spin doctors to divert the interest of the local population towards so-called economic improvement. Holding of riots in Jakarta in November 1998; Touting of increase in macroeconomic indicators and plans to redistribute wealth; Demonstrators' calls for the resignation of President B.J. Habibie.

Reports on the November 13, 1998 riots in Jakarta, Indonesia and discusses its implications for the country's international investment prospects. Details surrounding the violent demonstration; Message sent by Jakarta's violence to the international investment community; Economic and social factors that drove the riots; Increased public outcry over the country's economic condition.

The article presents information on economic reform in Indonesia. If a closely knit group of local techno crats and foreign acedemics have their way, Indonesian finance minister Johannes Sumarlin will stand up in Parliament later this year to unveil a series of sweeping reforms to the country's fledgling, but immensely popular, stock market. The exact content of those reforms, and the timing of their introduction, has yet to be finalised. But the changes will have as significant an impact as the 1988 and 1989 packages, which first thrust the Jakarta market onto the international stage. "This is a fundamental structuring, not a restructuring," says one foreign adviser, closely involved in the reforms. "What they want to create in Jakarta is a world class exchange." The scope of the planned changes is enormous. Decrees covering securities markets, pension funds, and Indonesia's insurance and banking laws are all being planned for the new package. The Securities Markets Decree is now "99% ready", according to one of the drafters. Under this decree, the Ministry hopes to completely restructure Bapepam, the capital markets agency, into a new market watchdog renamed Bapasek. INSETS: Will the reformers be broken by the law?;Bringing the state to market..

South-east Asia's greatest headache is its weak banking sector. While central bankers looked the other way, the region's banks lent heavily to finance stock-market speculation, overexposed themselves to property and made dubious loans to their own shareholders. When Indonesia unveiled the measures to be imposed as part of a $23 billion economic stabilization programme backed by the IMF in November 1997, a key condition was a clean-up in the banking sector. Making a start, Indonesian finance minister Marie Muhammed announced the closure of 16 small and insolvent banks out of Indonesia's grand total of more than 230. Analysts believe that up to 70 smaller banks could be merged in the next few months, helped along by a relaxed view about foreign participation. Foreign investors may own up to 49% of a listed bank and ownership of all other listed companies is unlimited. The government has already announced plans for mergers in the state banking sector, which will remove from the scene Bank Bumi Daya, repository of numerous bad loans from the 1980's and Bank Bapindo, looted by Tansil and never recapitalized.

Indonesia's leading conglomerates have shown remarkable resilience in recovering from the economic problems of the early 1990's. This has been partly due to business strategy and partly due to political reasons. The importance of connections and the rapid shifting of alliances mean a company should never be written off. PT Surya is controlled by the Soeryadjaya family, former owners of PT Astra International, Indonesia's premier motor car company and blue chip stock. In 1992, the family patriarch William Soeryadjaya, an ethnic Chinese Indonesian who had created the conglomerate from scratch, was forced to sell his stake in Astra to bail out the Summa business group owned by his son Edward. The Soeryadjayas lost control of an empire that included what is still Indonesia's largest conglomerate, with a 55% share of the auto market and interests in agribusiness, financial services, heavy equipment, telecommunications and office equipment. Less than five years later they are back, along with a raft of other Indonesian business players who have emerged from the ashes. These corporate examples include some of the country's biggest names, proving that one should never write off companies, businessmen or even charitable institutions that get into a little local difficulty. Astra itself is another example.

The Lippo Group has continued to expand and diversify, despite international controversy over its involvement in U.S. President Bill Clinton's campaign funding, positioning itself for major involvement in Hong Kong and China. Just as the Lippo Group was launching a major restructuring of its listed Indonesian companies, the story broke in the international media that the group's founding family had been involved in questionable contributions to the re-election campaign of U.S. President Bill Clinton. Not even international notoriety has been able to put a spoke in the plans of Indonesia's most hyperactive conglomerate. In an orgy of fund-raising and share swapping inside the group, which continued throughout 1996 and into 1997, the Riady family has restructured its Indonesian financial companies so as to with draw $384 million of its own funds in the Lippo Group. The Riady family has also purchased a controlling stake in a major Indonesian department store chain, overnight turning the group into a dominant force in the retail sector. The family announced a further restructuring of the Indonesian property division, in which China Resources, Lippo's mainland Chinese state-owned business partner, will increase its stake in Lippo Land by 20%. What seems to be emerging is a partnership between two giant companies, one with its origins in Indonesia, the other in China.

Investors are taking a fresh look at PT Bakrie & Brothers. The Indonesian company has entered a new phase of development in which it is streamlining its businesses and putting a new strategic plan into operation The company has had a substantial re-rating already in 1997. The management is producing conservative earnings forecasts, is focused in its strategy and is concentrating on adding shareholder value. Provided it remains consistent, there is every potential for the re-rating to go further. Bakrie is one of Indonesia's most successful conglomerates. It is also one of the most undervalued. Based on estimated earnings for 1997 of Rp402 billion, the company is trading on a price earnings ratio of only 5.7 times, against an average for the Jakarta bourse of over 14 times. The company is projecting earnings to rise strongly over the coming five years as its recent investments begin to make contributions. In addition to strong growth in recurrent income, in 1997 Bakrie will see an exceptional gain from its divestiture of a 49% stake in PT Indocopper Investama Corporation, a company with a stake in mining company PT Freeport Indonesia.

This article provides information on the bond market of Indonesia. The development of the Indonesian bond market, one of Asia's emerging markets, has been encouraging ever since the first bond issue in 1983. High-yielding rupiah bonds have been an attractive investment for both local and foreign investors. The Mexico crisis early this year caused fears among foreign investors about Indonesia's debt burden which amounted to $94.4 billion at the end of April 1995. Moreover, the soaring yen could have had a negative impact on the country's financial burden because 46% of the government debt is denominated in yen. This certainly affected the bond market as foreign investors promptly unloaded Indonesian bonds from their portfolios. Indonesia has been able to maintain the rupiah depreciation rate against the dollar at annualized 4% in the first six months of this year. The economy remains stable, prompting confidence in the strength of Indonesia's economy. More and more foreign capital is flowing into Indonesia, which in turn helps to support the rupiah. It also proves that foreign investors' worries about Indonesia's economy are groundless.

The article focuses on the rail link construction between Surabaya and Bandung, in Java, Indonesia, which has been stalled due to various administrative reasons between Indonesia and the financing country China, as part of Belt and Road projects. Topics discussed include incomplete land acquisition and tunnelling procedures, change in the terms of ownership, and unfeasible economic rationale of the project.

Nickel prices are likely to remain volatile in the near term after recent developments in the Philippines and in Indonesia threw up more uncertainties for the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PT Freeport Indonesia will restart production of copper concentrates at its Grasberg mine on March 21, a company spokesman told Metal Bulletin on Thursday March 9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesian tin exports in November amounted to 4,892 tonnes, 25% lower than the figure for October, according to preliminary data released by the Indonesian trade ministry, the International Tin Research Institute (ITRI) said on Wednesday December 7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the launch of a domestic sovereign sukuk issue, the Islamic equivalent of a bond, by Indonesia in August 2008 and its implications for its efforts to develop its Islamic finance industry. In October, Indonesia plans to launch a global sukuk that could raise as much as US1.5 billion. The deals are considered important due several reasons, including their contribution to the budget deficit of the country. Law No.19/2008 regarding State Shariah Securities, which passed through the House of Representatives in April, requires parliament to be asked ahead of the issuance of a sukuk deal.

The article discusses the impact of the continued lack of infrastructure on the economic growth of Indonesia. Central bank governor Arsdiona Boediono has implemented five interest rate increases in five months after his appointment in May 2008. HSBC predicts that the economy will slow to 4.9% growth in 2009 versus the expected rate of 6% in 2008. Indonesia requires further investment reforms to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI), but such reforms are expected to be put on hold until after the elections in 2009.

The article states that Indonesian economy is growing at over 6% and a financially stable government is committed to introduce more enticing regulations. The $500 million worth of rail system in Jakarta, Indonesia, which is set to alleviate the city's chronic traffic congestion and serve up to 30,000 passengers, was a project left by investors from Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. However, a new consortium including NV Hadji Kalla has taken over the project and is in talks with another foreign investor, the Dubai Islamic Bank. Despite the natural disasters that struck Indonesia in 2007, gross domestic product (GDP) growth is tracking above 6%, inflation is under control, debt is falling and foreign reserves are on the rise.

The article discusses the need of the Indonesian government for more investments. Indonesia is struggling to emerge from the political, economic and social dislocation that accompanied the Asian financial crisis of 1997 to 1998 and the fall of Mohammad Suharto. Economic growth of the country has slowed and most analysts agree that it will hover around the 5%-6% mark in 2006. The slowing economic growth in the first half was mainly down to some necessary adjustments to the economy's structure. The most important achievement of the country has been the commitment of the government to infrastructure development, tax and subsidy rationalization and financial sector reforms.

This chapter offers a look at Indonesia's economic conditions as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono celebrates his first year anniversary in office in 2005. The main concern for Indonesia now is the decline of the rupiah and the reasons for its fall. In the first half of 2005, things were indeed going well for the country's economy. The optimism following the first direct presidential elections was still evident. But some figures have started to slip. While in the first quarter of 2005, the economy grew at a respectable clip of 6.19 percent, the second quarter's figures were less rosy and dropped to 5.54 percent. The stock market was the other story grabbing the imagination of the investor community. But by the middle of August 2005, they could no longer ignore the negatives any more. The market dropped 13 percent. The problem, as Indonesian Chief Economist Chatib Basri admitted, is oil. Indonesia has moved from being a net exporter to a net importer. It is unable to produce the 1.1 million barrels per day that it needs.

This article presents an interview of Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, coordinating minister for economic affairs for Indonesia, on the economy of Indonesia. For the country, the issue of debt overhanging is going to be there for quite sometime, probably until 2007-2008. For this year alone, the government has to mobilize around Rp125 trillion for both external and domestic debt as well as amortization and interest payments. In addition, the recapitalization bonds that fall due are going to be really big. The country is currently able to use the domestic market for about Rp460 trillion and it has been able to sell Rp140 trillion. That enables the government to reduce the burden on the domestic side. Indonesia is still a natural-based resource economy. A large portion of the economy depends on international trade, as well as exports in oil and gas and minerals. If you look at it that way then whenever you have a boom in the world market, which calls for the delivery of raw materials, and you have macroeconomics stability, then you do have that base. Many of the laws that have been promulgated were the result of work done by the coalition government. Almost all political parties are represented in the present cabinet, which makes things difficult sometimes.

Examines several investment opportunities in Indonesia in 2004. Factors that attracted investment opportunities for investors; Advantage of stock market status to portfolio investors; Debt restructuring expectations for the country.

This article reports on economic issues in Indonesia as of March 2004. In 1998, the economy was reduced by 13.1 percent and annual inflation increased to 77.6 percent. In the same year, the average exchange rate was Rp10,088 to the dollar, compared with Rp2,205 between 1990 and 1997, and interbank overnight interest rates reached 41.42 percent. Bolstered by an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout of $40 billion, Indonesia has gradually recovered. Gross domestic product growth in 2003 increased, inflation was 6.4 percent, and interbank rates 6.44 percent. Only the exchange rate has stayed weak at an average of Rp8,389 to the dollar. In July 2003, as the macroeconomic situation improved, the Indonesian government took the decision to exit the IMF programme with effect from January 1, 2004. With bonds falling due over the next five years, the government has managed to reschedule them for a further 10 years. Of more immediate concern is the re-emergence of banking corruption. In late 2003, two separate frauds emerged from state-owned Bank Rayat Indonesia and Bank International Indonesia. In February 2004, though, a loan fraud situation emerged from a branch of Bank Mandiri. For S&P, the sovereign risk, rated single B, remains stable in outlook.

The article discusses factors affecting the investment and economic condition in Indonesia. Many international investors see Indonesia as a country of uncertainties. A country that is suffering from widespread legal, political and security uncertainties, which make long-term investment risky. Since 1998, investors have been frustrated by controversial court rulings, increased labor militancy, regional autonomy and terrorist bombings. Consequently, foreign direct investment declined from US$33.8 billion in 1997 to US$9.7 billion in 2202, hampering the country's economic growth as result. The Bali bombing and the Marriott hotel bombing in Jakarta have increased security uncertainties. The general election in 2004 is unlikely to be more destabilizing than the 1999 election. Political stability and economic reforms are crucial to maintain a yearly economic growth of 3% to 4%. As far as reforms go, the government's privatization programme is likely to stabilize the rupiah. A stronger rupiah and global deflation in turn are likely to maintain yearly inflation at 5% to 7%. All these will help power domestic consumption or 80% of the economy and stimulate investment, particularly after the 2004 election.

Reports that the crisis management skills of Indonesia are improving. Country's goal; Why the country's currency, rupiah weakened in March 2001; Indonesia's gross domestic product growth in 2000.

The article provides an update on the foreign direct investment liberalization in Indonesia as of March 14, 2016. Topics covered include the decision of Indonesian President Joko Widodo to remove 35 business lines from its Negative Investment List, main reasons behind the concurrent lifting and imposition of caps on different business lines, and a decline in growth in Indonesia to a six-year low.

Economic nationalism in Indonesia sparked reinsurance concern at this week's Singapore International Reinsurance Conference (SIRC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that the Republic of Indonesia has priced its biggest sovereign bond in a stunning $2.2 billion (bn) hit that drew orders worth a record $6.2bn. The deal shows emerging market investors remain as enraptured as ever with the southeast Asian sovereign, despite fiscal and economic problems that have plagued Indonesia's domestic bond market. Lead managers Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and Lehman Brothers launched three separate taps, reopening Indonesia's existing benchmarks due 2014, 2018 and 2038.

The article reports that Indonesia has on May 2, 2007 passed a new investment law, after a long planning and a parliamentary debate. The law replaces the two separate laws which dealt with domestic and foreign investment respectively and covers capital investment in all sectors. The new law is an attempt to boost Indonesia's investment climate and give teeth to the drive to accelerate the development of the national economy. The Law provides for equal treatment between domestic and foreign investment, although different entry conditions remain in place through a system of maximum foreign participation percentages in many investment sectors.

Evaluates the junk bond market in the post-Suharto Indonesia. Risks of investing in emerging markets; Reputation of Indonesia among corporate borrowers during the reign of Suharto; Details of the boom in Indonesian junk bonds; Lack of laws protecting creditors.

Focuses on bondholders' uncertainty over the effect of Indonesia's economic crisis in 1998 on their bond investments. Value of investments affected by the Indonesian rupiah's collapse; Concerns of more than $10 billion in losses if the country's economy and politics fail to stabilize; Lessons learned from the country for investors planning to venture into emerging markets.

In 1996, Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) won both "Euromoney's" and "Asiamoney's" award for the best bank in Indonesia. These are just two of the many accolades that BII has garnered in recent years. Each year since 1992, BII has enjoyed the best return on assets and equity of all banks in Indonesia. BII has grown in ten years from a small, unlisted bank with $20 million in capital and $250 million in assets, operating 13 branches, to the third largest private bank in Indonesia, with 194 branches, capital of $1 billion and assets of $8 billion. It began as a corporate bank, serving the growing numbers of high quality corporations in Indonesia. It is still an important banker to these companies, most of which now boast assets in excess of Rp1 trillion. In 1996, this sector still represented 71% of BII's revenues. The tremendous growth in the economy will ensure that corporate banking business remains attractive and continues to grow in absolute terms. The faster growing areas of business for the bank are also those with the greatest growth potential as markets - domestic retail and small company business, and regional banking operations.

Few would envy the task of Soedradjat Djiwandono, governor of Indonesia's Central Bank in 1997. A former minister of trade, Soedradjat is charged with the management of the rupiah, the supervision of the banking system, the reorganization and merger of failed banks, the control of inflation and the monitoring of public and private sector foreign debt. Soedradjat gained some new duties: reassuring foreign investors during a period of political instability and coordinating policy with other central banks in the region to avoid a Mexico-style crisis in Southeast Asia. Soedradjat has his eye on Indonesia's neighbours. Many of them face similar problems: high current account deficits, inflation and pressure on the currency. The current shakeout in Thailand has particularly riveted the attention of policy-makers. Indonesia contained inflation at 6.5% in 1996, still higher than its neighbours, but a considerable improvement on the 9%-plus common in recent years. The current account deficit is forecast at $8.8 billion for fiscal 1996/97 and $9.8 billion for fiscal 1997/98, both a high but manageable 4% of GDP. Indonesia's foreign debt of around $100 billion, of which 55% is government borrowings, mandates a maximum current account deficit of 4%, policy-makers believe.

The Republic of Indonesia managed to raise $3bn across three tranches of notes in its annual dollar funding exercise, but paid a double-digit premium to attract investors cautious about the sovereign credit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on the economic situation and business practices in Indonesia. Launching of Cohiba, an Indonesian-grown cigar; Information on the law passed by the Suharto regime banning foreign retail chains; Effects of the forest fire in Irian Jaya to the country's economy.

Reports on the emergence of various markets around the world. Emphasis on the status of Indonesia; Unfavorable markets in South Asia due to unstable security; Decreased market results for Brazil.

The London Metal Exchange nickel prices could reach $25,000 per tonne over the next twelve months, on supply concerns, Bank of America said in a report this week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel bullishness has been undermined by notions that Indonesia's ore export ban won't stick, but there are good reasons to believe that the country really will build its own processing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asia's capital markets have started the year with a bang, but a market this good can't last forever. The steady supply of new deals coming out at increasingly tight levels is a sign of clear frothiness in the market. Just take a look at the investor enthusiasm for low-rated Indonesian deals for an example of how bullish investors have become when they should be thinking twice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesia's Tunas Baru Lampung printed its first international bond on Wednesday, a few months after attempting a transaction in Singapore dollars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the impact of an October 2002 terrorist bombing in Bali Island, Indonesia on the financial recovery of southeast Asia. Summit between the International Monetary Fund and Indonesia; Effect in the gross domestic product of Indonesia; Possible collapse of tourism in Indonesia and other countries.