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Indonesia Economy Forum

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35,000 MW program achievable by 2021: DEn
  • Fedina S. Sundaryani
    The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Mon, January 23, 2017 | 05:04 pm
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Power house: A PLN worker carries out a routine inspection at the 150 KV Mampang Dua electrical relay station in Jakarta. (Antara/Widodo S. Jusuf)

The National Energy Board (DEN) has estimated that the government’s ambitious program to procure 35,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity can only be completed as early as 2021, two years after the project’s designated deadline.

DEN member Rinaldy Dalimi said the timeframe, however, was still an optimistic estimate, as state-owned electricity company PLN would need two to three years to complete construction after financial closure.

“If everything goes well, it [the project] will most likely be completed two years after the deadline,” he said on Monday.

The latest data from PLN shows that only seven power plants with a total capacity of 4,580 MW reached financial closure throughout last year. The company has set a target to financially close nine power plant projects with a capacity of 4,570 MW by the end of this year’s first semester.

(Read also: Setback in 35,000 MW project irks Jokowi)

Both the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and PLN have predicted that with the program’s current progress and the country’s economic growth, only around 20,000 to 22,000 MW will likely be procured by 2019.

However, the government has decided to maintain the target in the General Planning for National Energy (RUEN), which has reportedly been signed by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in the form of a presidential regulation. The RUEN stipulates that 114,000 MW will be procured by 2025, comprising the 35,000 MW megaproject and the fast-track program I and II, both of which were left over from former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration.

The 35,000 MW project is basically a continuation of the 10,000 MW policy launched by Yudhoyono during his tenure in 2005 in order to maintain reserve margins — the difference between capacity and demand — with the International Energy Agency’s recommended level of 20 to 35 percent.


As the nation is at risk of a power crisis should the level decline to below 20 percent, Jokowi, who was inaugurated as the country’s seventh president on Oct. 20, 2014, took the initiative to boost power capacity to spur economic growth. (hwa)

Fertilizer factory worth $1.5b to be developed in Papua
  • News Desk
    The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Mon, January 23, 2017 | 05:37 pm
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A farmer spreads fertilizer to the verdant paddies in Mujur village, Cilacap, Central Java. (JP/Agus Maryono)

Trade Minister Airlangga Hartarto has lauded a plan by state-owned fertilizer company PT Pupuk Indonesia and Germany based Ferrostaal to develop a fertilizer factory in Bintuni Bay, West Papua.

The two companies have agreed to carry out a feasibility study for the US$1.5 billion project.

“The two parties have a commitment to provide the government with comprehensive data related to the petrochemical factory,” the minister said as reported by kontan.com on Monday.

(Read also: Pupuk Indonesia intensifies research to strengthen food security)

Airlangga’s statement was made after witnessing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Pupuk Indonesia investment director Gusrizal and Ferrostaal CEO Klaus Lesker in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Jan. 21.

The plan to develop a fertilizer factory in West Papua is part of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s plan to distribute development fairly nationwide. Bintuni Bay is known for its gas resources as raw material for the fertilizer. “We will support the allocation of gas with good prices,” he said.

The fertilizer producer is among industrial sectors that will enjoy the gas-price cut introduced by the government, as stipulated in Presidential Regulation No. 40/2016 on natural gas prices.

The potential of the natural gas in the area that has been identified reaches 23.8 trillion standard cubic feet (tscf). New gas reserves with potential between 6 tscf and 8 tscf has already been found.

Meanwhile, Gusrizal assured that his company was interested in developing a fertilizer factory in Bintuni Bay by optimizing the use of gas resources in the region. (bbn)

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/...tory-worth-1-5b-to-be-developed-in-papua.html
 
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Indonesia's FDI up 2.1 pct in Q4 2016

JAKARTA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's foreign direct investment (FDI) expanded 2.1 percent to 101.3 trillion rupiah (some 7.56 billion U.S. dollars) in the final quarter last year on yearly basis, official said here on Wednesday.

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Most of the foreign capitals parked at the industries of metal, engine and electronic, mining, electricity, waters and gas, chemistry, pharmacy, and property, Azhar Lubis, deputy for foreign investment implementation and control at the investment coordinating board said.

For the whole of last year, the country's FDI rose 8.4 percent to 396.6 trillion rupiah (about 29.58 billion U.S. dollars), the deputy said at the board's headquarters.

The government has taken measures to attract foreign capitals, including the issuance of a raft of economic stimulus packages amid at better fiscal condition.

Rupiah gained 2.3 against U.S. dollars last year.

The Southeast Asia's largest economy is expected to expand steadily last year and this year at moderate level amid contractions in other nations.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-01/25/c_136012364.htm
 
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Indonesia's Bali garners 2016 best honeymoon destination awards
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JAKARTA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's resort island of Bali garnered awards as 2016 best and most exciting honeymoon destination from influential travel media.

"Commencing 2017, Bali obtained awards from Youku Travel and Sina Double Platform Big Data as 2016 Best Honeymoon Destination. It improves our confidence. We are very proud of earning that title," Deputy Minister for Foreign Marketing Development at Indonesia's Tourism Ministry I Gde Pitana said in a statement released on Wednesday.

Pitana was referring to the award delivered by China's travel reviewer website in Powers of Travel Ceremony event held recently in Beijing, China.

Prior to that, world's influential travel magazine Travel+Leisure awarded Bali as among world's most exciting honeymoon places, puts Bali among 2016 Best 5 Honeymoon Place in the world in various categories.

Pitana's assistant overseeing tourism marketing in Asia-Pacific region, Vincensius Jemadu, said Bali witnessed the wedding of at least 100 Chinese couples throughout last year, Jemadu said.

In Bali, honeymooners can pick any kind of activities they preferred into, from having romantic dinner by the sea after sunset, surfing, snorkeling and diving with their spouses together, playing with dolphins, spending more time in cultural serene place like in Ubud, or having very private moments in secluded villas in Jimbaran, Jemadu added.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-01/25/c_136011939.htm

Government to spend Rp20 trillion in 2017 for high-speed internet
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Kendari, SE Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - The government will spend Rp20 trillion (US$1.5 billion) in 2017 to develop a high-speed internet network in districts that have yet to get access to the service, Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara stated.

"The government has targeted that all districts and cities in Indonesia would have a network using undersea cables to power the internet by the end of 2019," Rudiantara remarked at a seminar here on Wednesday.

The minister revealed that the districts of Buton, Central Buton, South Buton, Muna, West Muna, and North Buton in Southeast Sulawesi will be able to enjoy high-speed internet services.

The minister noted that development of the network can be accelerated through support of the local government to facilitate land release.

"I have ordered the contractors who won the tender to prioritize utilizing local workforce in the project except for the expert staff that would be the authority of the respective company," he stated.

The nationwide high-speed internet access initiative is being implemented for the period between 2014 and 2019. The program aims to boost economic competitiveness throughout the archipelago. The 2014-2019 Indonesia Broadband Plan requires a total funding of Rp278 trillion ($23.2 billion), 10 percent of which will be covered by the state budget.

The seminar was attended by Southeast Sulawesi Governor Nur Alam, communication expert of the Padjajaran University Prof. Dr Engkus Kuswarno, and Head of the Communication Science Association Dr Heri Budianto.(*)
http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1...rp20-trillion-in-2017-for-high-speed-internet
 
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Investment realization reached Rp612.8 trillion in 2016
Kamis, 26 Januari 2017 10:39 WIB - 0 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Investment realization in Indonesia reached Rp612.8 trillion in 2016, surpassing the set target of Rp594.8 trillion.
"The realization of investment from January to December 2016 reached Rp612.8 trillion, increasing by 12.4 percent, as compared to Rp545.4 trillion in 2015," Azhar Lubis, the deputy for capital investment implementation control of the National Investment Board (BKPM), stated here on Wednesday.
Lubis explained that the realization of domestic investment was recorded at Rp216.2 trillion, up 20.5 percent, while foreign investment realization reached Rp396.6 trillion, or increased by 8.4 percent.
In the fourth quarter of 2016 or from October to December 2016, investment realization totaled Rp159.4 trillion, increasing by 9.6 percent compared to the same period in 2015.
The realization of domestic investment during the period reached Rp58.1 trillion, up 25.8 percent, while foreign investment was recorded at Rp101.3 trillion, growing by 2.1 percent.
Some 434,466 workers were absorbed in the fourth quarter of 2016, while the annual figure had reached 1,392,380.
Thomas Lembong, the BKPM head, noted that as compared to 2015, the growth was significant, especially with regard to domestic investment.
"Domestic investment grew two folds bigger than the foreign investment," he pointed out.
He said 2015 was a difficult year for domestic investors owing to various incidents that had dampened their confidence.
"There was the AirAsia incident, peatland fires, and also political problems. Thank God, however, based on our data, domestic sentiment continued to improve in 2016, causing quite a major leap," he noted.
Lembong stated that investors had begun welcoming the changes made by President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
"I feel that investor confidence is at the highest positive level. Hence, we must maintain it. We, as part of the cabinets economic team, will maintain the positive momentum as well as the reform efforts and investor confidence," he added.(*)
Editor: Heru

COPYRIGHT © ANTARA 2017

Chinese investment to continue to increase: BKPM head
Kamis, 26 Januari 2017 10:44 WIB - 0 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias investment agency expressed its confidence here on Wednesday that the investment from China will continue to increase drastically in the future.
"I think the trend of Chinese investment will increase drastically in line with Chinese investment in Asia Pacific and even in the world," Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Chairman Thomas Lembong said .
Based on 2016 data, China is ranked third among five biggest investors in Indonesia, while Singapore is ranked first. The second place is taken by Japan, followed by Hong Kong in the fourth and the Netherlands in the fifth.
Chinas investment realization reached US $2.7 billion, while that of Singapore was recorded at $9.2 billion. Japans investment realization was recorded at $5.4 billion, Hong Kong at $2.2 billion and the Netherlands at $1.5 billion.
Lembong said that as one of the biggest economies in the Asia Pacific region, it was not surprising if China could invest in many countries.
"Its status as the worlds main trade partner will certainly affect investment trends in the countries concerned," he stated.
"Hence, the upward trend of Chinese investment has not only happened in Indonesia but across the world," he added.
Regarding the issue of foreign workers, especially from China, as well as anti-Chinese sentiment, he said that they have not brought negative impact on Indonesias investment and economy.
"It is still manageable, although it should not be taken lightly," he asserted.
BKPMs deputy for capital investment realization management Azhar Lubis explained that Chinese investment was mostly in the metal and mineral processing sector or smelter and electricity plants.
Hong Kong, on the other hand, has mostly invested in the property sector, accommodation and plantations.
"Realization of combined investment from China and Hong Kong has not as yet surpassed that of Japans, which is ranked second," he asserted.
According to records, realization of investment in Indonesia in 2016 reached Rp612.8 trillion, surpassing the target set at Rp594.8 trillion.
"It was an increase of 12.4 percent from Rp545.4 trillion in 2015," he remarked.(*)
Editor: Heru

http://m.antaranews.com/en/news/109127/chinese-investment-to-continue-to-increase-bkpm-head
 
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Indonesia accounts for 58 percent of sustainable palm oil production
Kamis, 26 Januari 2017 20:41 WIB - 0 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia accounts for 58 percent of the worlds sustainable production of palm oil, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) said.

"Indonesia contributes 58 percent to the worlds palm oil production with RSPO certificate," RSPO Indonesia Director Tiur Rumondang said here on Thursday.

The contribution is expected to increase in the coming years, Tiur said in a written statement.

She said currently, the worlds sustainable production of palm oil with RSPO certificate totaled 12.15 million tons or 17 percent of the worlds production of palm oil.

However, consumption of sustainable production of palm oil in the country is small with low from domestic consumers, she noted.

RSPO has also launched a program called "Youth Leader in Sustainability", which is a program to look for futures leaders expected to increase the consumers awareness backed up with increase in demand for sustainable palm oil based products.

The program is launched in collaboration with WWF-Indonesia, The Body Shop and Sinar Meadow, to last from January until May, 2017 with a series of activities including roadshow to a number of universities, seminar and process of selection.

Meanwhile, Conservation Director of WWF-Indonesia Arnold Sitompul warned about the alarming condition varieties of global biological resources including in Indonesia.

One factor reducing the varieties of biological resources is unsustainable exploitation of natural resources such as in the expansion of palm oil industry, Arnold said.

A new breakthrough is needed in promoting sustainable palm oil industry to ensure preservation of the varieties of biological resources, he said.

The countrys exports of crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivatives totaled 25.7 million tons in 2016 or down two percent from 26.2 million tons in 2015 on weather phenomenon El Nino toward the end of 2015.

"By the end of 2015, the countrys production of oil palm fruits shrank as a result of widespread drought brought about by El Nino that year. Exports dropped 2 percent on shrinking production by up to 30 percent," Chief Executive of the Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Body (BPDP) Bayu Krisnamurthi said here earlier this month.

Bayu said despite the decline in the export volume of CPO, palm oil kernel (PKO) and derivatives , the commodity export value in 2016 rose 8 percent to US$17.8 billion or around Rp240 trillion from US$16.5 billion in 2015.

The increase in the export value followed a 41.4 percent surge on the average in the price of CPO in the global market in 2016 compared to US$535 per ton in June 2015, US$558 per tons in January 2016 and US$789 per ton in December 2016.

However, BPDP warned that exporters must not be carried away by the surge in price, which was considered too high as it could weaken competitiveness of the countrys commodity in world vegetable oil market.

"We know the countrys palm oil is competing sharply with soybean oil in the world market. If the price of palm oil comes closer to the same level of the soybean oil price, the competitive edge of palm oil would fall," he said .

The RSPO certificate will have greater access for Indonesian CPO to international market especially Europe.

Indonesia is the worlds largest producer of CPO. (*)
Editor: Heru

COPYRIGHT © ANTARA 2017
 
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have a happy chinese lunar new year....

Indonesia's thirst for oil sends Pertamina on global quest
JAKARTA -- Pertamina, Indonesia's state-run oil company, is expanding its overseas footprint to help meet surging demand at home.

Including domestic oil and gas projects, the company plans to boost investment by 40% from the actual 2016 figure, to $3.7 billion in 2017. Its foreign investments include projects in Russia and Iran.

The idea is to invest aggressively abroad to offset a downtrend in domestic output and shore up overall volumes. This is vital as Indonesia's brisk economic growth drives up energy consumption; domestic production is no longer enough to satiate demand for oil products, including gasoline.

Last August, Pertamina agreed to work with National Iranian Oil in studying development of two oil fields in the Middle Eastern country. And in October, the Indonesian company signed a deal with Moscow-based Rosneft to participate in oil development in Russia.


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Pertamina also plans to launch development projects in Tanzania and Algeria. It hopes to raise its overall daily oil and gas production volume by 6% on the year to about 690,000 barrels of oil equivalent in 2017. An executive said output stands to rise both in Indonesia and abroad. The foreign boost will also be the main driver of overall growth.

The company also holds oil and gas concessions in neighboring countries, including Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as farther afield in Libya, Sudan and Qatar. It plans to continue investing in Africa and Asia to help stabilize supplies.

Back home, Pertamina intends to expand its oil refinery operations with assistance from foreign companies. Plans include a joint project with Saudi Arabian Oil, better known as Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia's state oil company, to expand the Cilacap Refinery in central Java. In addition to this roughly $5 billion endeavor, scheduled for completion by 2021, Pertamina is also in talks with Saudi Aramco on expansions and equipment upgrades at two other domestic refineries.

Pertamina's arrangement with Rosneft also includes the construction of new refinery and petrochemical plant in Tuban, in eastern Java, through a joint venture.


Pertamina's revenue for the first nine months of 2016 came to $26.6 billion, down 17% on the year. The decline of oil prices spurred a fall in the government-controlled gasoline price.

On the other hand, its EBITDA -- earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization -- increased 75% to $6.2 billion. This has given the company room to pursue more overseas projects.


.... more @ http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Com...or-oil-sends-Pertamina-on-global-quest?page=2
 
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Pertamina Now Controling Shareholder at France's Second Biggest Oil Company

Pertamina International Exploration and Production, a subsidiary of Indonesia's state energy company Pertamina, announced another successful bid for more stake in French oil company Maurel and Prom, that increased its ownership at the Paris-based company from 24.53 percent to 64.46 percent.

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In a statement dated Jan. 26 published on Pertamina's website, starting Feb. 1 PIEP will control 125.9 million stocks and voting rights at Maurel and Prom, equivalent to a 64.46 percent holding stake and 63.35 percent of the voting rights at France's second biggest oil company.

"Our winning bid has been announced by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) on Jan. 25," Pertamina said in the statement.

Pertamina's president director Dwi Soetjipto said the success of the bid should create a momentum for Pertamina to expand more aggressively overseas amid improving global crude oil prices.

Once Pertamina becomes Maurel and Prom's controlling shareholder — i.e., when it has increased its ownership by more than 51 percent — it can then further consolidate the French company's production with PIEP's own production.

"It will certainly improve Pertamina's own performance. In addition, ISC [Integrated Supply Chain] is currently also reviewing and preparing oil production which will not only increase Pertamina's production value, but also strengthen the supply to Indonesia," Dwi said.

ISC is Pertamina's new vehicle for buying oil, replacing the controversial Petral.

Pertamina's upstream production director Syamsu Alam said the company sees bright prospects in developing Maurel and Prom, which has up to 205 million barrels of oil equivalent among its oil and gas assets.

With assets spread across Europe, America, Africa and Asia, Pertamina now expects to catch up soon with other oil producers on a global scale.

Pertamina Vice President of Corporate Communication Wianda Pusponegoro said in the statement: "We expect maximum results for PIEP and Pertamina from the purchase of Maurel and Prom."

http://jakartaglobe.id/business/per...areholder-frances-second-biggest-oil-company/


Indonesian Textile Producers Cheer US Withdrawal From TPP

Indonesian textile and garment producers look forward to a level playing field in the the United States after President Donald Trump decided to withdraw from the Trans Pacific Partnership trade pact, a representative of the local textile business association said.

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The Southeast Asia nation now expects to export $4.8 billion worth of textiles and garments to the US this year, accounting for 39 percent of the archipelago's total textile and garment exports, according to the Indonesian Textile Association, or API.

Last year the US market accounted for only 36 percent of the country's textile and garment exports.

"The US' decision to quit the Trans Pacific Partnership pact will benefit our textile industry. We can now compete at the same price point as the other textile exporters," API Chairman Ade Sudrajat said early this week.

Neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia used to enjoy an import duty leeway for being a TPP member country, while Indonesian textile products are subjected to a 10 percent import duty when entering the US market, Ade said.

"President Trump's decision to withdraw from the TPP should work in our favor. We can now compete on a level playing field," he said.

Signs for increase in US textile orders have already surfaced with local producers reporting more US buyers have inquired about products and pricing. "In terms of enthusiasm, things are already a lot better than last year," Ade said.

US market picking up should also help counter the drawback Indonesian textile producers are experiencing in the European Union markets, Ade said.

There, Indonesia has to face stiff competition from Vietnam, which gets an import duty of 0 percent under EU's preferential treatment for its low and lower middle income partners.

Indonesia, as a member of the Group of 20, is no longer deemed as a middle income country and has to pay a 12.5 percent import duty, Ade said.

Indonesia and the EU are now negotiating on a bilateral trade agreement that will address this import duty issue. "We expect negotiations with the EU could be completed quite quickly," Ade said.

http://jakartaglobe.id/business/indonesian-textile-producers-cheer-us-withdrawal-tpp/
 
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Pembangunan Stasiun Commuter Line CikarangWarga beraktivitas di Stasiun Commuter Line Cikarang yang tengah dibangun, di Kabupaten Bekasi, Jawa Barat, Minggu (29/1/2017). PT Kereta Api Indonesia menargetkan pengoperian stasiun kereta rel listrik Commuter Line bersamaan dengan pembangunan DDT (Double-Double Track) Manggarai hingga Cikarang pada awal 2018 . (ANTARA FOTO/Risky Andrianto)

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Kendala Pembangunan Tol Bawen-SalatigaSejumlah pekerja menggarap pembangunan Tol Bawen-Salatiga di Bawen, Kabupaten Semarang, Jawa Tengah, Kamis (26/1/2017). Menurut PT Trans Marga Jateng (TMJ) selaku operator, pembangunan tol sepanjang 17,57 kilometer tersebut baru terealisasi 81,623 persen dari target 91,6 persen karena terkendala intensitas hujan tinggi. (ANTARA /Aditya Pradana Putra)

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Kendala Pembangunan Tol Bawen-SalatigaSejumlah pekerja menggarap pembangunan Jembatan Tuntang di ruas Tol Bawen-Salatiga di Bawen, Kabupaten Semarang, Jawa Tengah, Kamis (26/1/2017). Menurut PT Trans Marga Jateng (TMJ) selaku operator, pembangunan tol sepanjang 17,57 kilometer tersebut baru terealisasi 81,623 persen dari target 91,6 persen karena terkendala intensitas hujan tinggi. (ANTARA/Aditya Pradana Putra)

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Kendala Pembangunan Tol Bawen-SalatigaSejumlah pekerja menggarap pembangunan Jembatan Tuntang di ruas Tol Bawen-Salatiga di Bawen, Kabupaten Semarang, Jawa Tengah, Kamis (26/1/2017). Menurut PT Trans Marga Jateng (TMJ) selaku operator, pembangunan tol sepanjang 17,57 kilometer tersebut baru terealisasi 81,623 persen dari target 91,6 persen karena terkendala intensitas hujan tinggi. (ANTARA/Aditya Pradana Putra)
 
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Pertamina, PLN sign contract to build Jawa-1 power plant
Selasa, 31 Januari 2017 16:20 WIB | 329 Views
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Geothermal power plant owned by Pertamina in Lahedong, Tompaso, Minahasa District, North Sulawesi. (ANTARA/Puspa Perwitasari) ()

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A consortium, led by PT Pertamina and PT PLN, has inked a power purchase agreement for the construction of a 1,760-megawatt (MW) gas-fuelled power plant (PLTGU) Jawa 1, with a total investment of US$1.8 billion.

"We laud PLN for its transparent and competitive bid and for the trust it has laid in the consortium that won the bid of the PLTGU Jawa 1 construction project. The project is a concrete evidence of synergy between Indonesias two major state enterprises," Pertamina President Director Dwi Soetjipto noted in a statement here, Tuesday.

The agreement was signed by head of the consortium who is also president director of PT Jawa Satu Power Ginanjar and President Director of PT PLN Sofyan Basir.

State-run oil company PT Pertamina established a consortium with Japans Marubeni Corporation and Sojitz Corporation to construct the power plant under an independent power producer (IPP) scheme.

The PLTGU will be built in Cilamaya District of West Java and is expected to become the largest such plant in Southeast Asia.

Pertamina will build the PLTGU Jawa 1 in collaboration with 18 domestic and international partners, including those from Japan, Korea, the US, and Europe.

Soetjipto said, the PLTGU, which has been part of the governments electricity procurement program, the 35 thousand-MW project, will be built under an integrated concept of a floating storage and regasification unit, the first of its kind in Asia.

"This momentum would become Pertaminas cornerstone in starting the IPP business and will affirm its position and role in achieving its vision as a world-class energy company," he added.

Reported by Kelik Dewanto

(S022/INE)

EDITED BY INE.

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/109176/pertamina-pln-sign-contract-to-build-jawa-1-power-plant
 
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Indonesia can be a force for regional stability as the US and China duel on the world economic stage
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Something amazing is occurring, but so unsettling are the times that few realise the gravity of the change.

Under its radical new leader, the United States is turning inwards. President Donald Trump used his inaugural address on January 20 to underline a key theme of his campaign: he would restore America to greatness by bringing back American jobs, borders, wealth and dreams.


China, however, is saying the opposite. President Xi Jinping (習近平), speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos just a few days earlier, mounted a spirited defence of the open economic borders created and sustained by globalisation. Warning against throwing out the economic baby along with the bathwater of problems, he called on countries to adapt to and guide globalisation, cushion its problematic consequences, and deliver its benefits to all countries.

For Indonesia, the message is clear. Since history is turning that corner, and possibly making a U-turn, Indonesia has to choose between a possibly receding world order based on America’s economic activism, and an approaching Asia-centric order premised on China’s ascendancy.

Significantly, Indonesia’s choice will have a lasting impact on the economic courses charted by the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Indonesia is Asean’s largest country by geography, population and economy. If Asean’s centrality is crucial to the way in which the great powers – China, the United States, Japan, Russia and India – interact in Southeast Asia, then there is no Asean centrality without Indonesia’s centrality in Asean.

As the US and China prepare for confrontation over the economic fate, and ultimately perhaps the strategic destination, of the world, Indonesia will play a stabilising role in Southeast Asia.

There is another subversive aspect of the American presidency. Within the global economic order that he is trying to trump, the American leader has already made his mark in a key area: energy. The White House has announced that the Trump administration will embrace the shale oil and gas “revolution”, and achieve energy independence from Opec.

Indonesia is not a member of Opec and so is not overly concerned with relations between the oil-producers’ cartel and America. However, Trump’s quest for energy independence underlines his desire to increase America’s economic autonomy in global affairs. That autonomy would reduce its stake in the equilibrium of the international oil market on which depend the economic prospects of Asian powerhouses such as China and India.

Here, again, is a demonstration of the dissociation between global forces and American exceptionalism that Trump seeks to achieve. It is his prerogative, but other countries will seek to fill the vacuum that American retrenchment may create in Asia.

It falls on Indonesia to ensure that it is not sucked into a vacuum of others’ making. Of course, this does not mean that Southeast Asia’s lynchpin country will switch from the American camp to the Chinese camp. To start with, Indonesia’s free and independent foreign policy has precluded belonging to the American camp: the same imperative will prevent gravitation to the Chinese camp. However, Jakarta would hope that it does not have to choose between the democratic trajectory that has brought it so close to America, and the economic logic that is making China the default choice of many Southeast Asian nations.

Indonesia’s measured and balanced response will depend on the American project as Trump redefines it – and the Chinese project that is shaping up in response.
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight...be-force-regional-stability-us-and-china-duel

Indonesian Manufacturing Industry Improves, PMI Survey Reveals
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Jakarta. Indonesian manufacturers scaled up output in January due to a rebound in new orders, indicating that the health of the industry has improved after months of contraction, the Nikkei Indonesia Manufacturing purchasing managers' index survey revealed.

The PMI — a composite of manufacturing output, new orders, exports and employment measures to give a snapshot of manufacturing business conditions — increased to 50.4 in January, up from 49 in December.

"PMI data showed that the upturn was domestically driven as new export orders dipped again," Pollyanna De Lima, an economist at IHS Markit, said in a note on Wednesday (01/02).

A reading above 50 indicates a increase in overall manufacturing activity and, inversely, index of below 50 reflects decline.

The survey participants — which include over 300 industrial companies — said that increased marketing and client confidence resulted in a rise in orders despite a contraction in export orders from international clients for the fourth straight month.

Inventory of manufactured goods remained unchanged according to survey participants. However, pre-production inventory fell as new orders were obtained.

Participants postponed buying input materials due to a sharp increase in costs. The note underlined that average raw materials costs rose in January. Some companies compensated by passing the cost burden to clients, which resulted in an increase in retail prices.

Employment also slightly fell in January on the back of technological advancement in some factories and a constant outstanding business decreased for the thirty-second consecutive month.

"Looking ahead, the trend for trade will remain challenging given so much uncertainty in the global economy," De Lima said.

Still, the economist noted that Bank Indonesia's lower interest rates will be able to "fuel" consumer spending.

Overall, manufacturers' sentiment improved in January, the note said, with 82 percent of the survey participants expecting higher output in the year ahead.
http://jakartaglobe.id/business/indonesian-manufacturing-industry-regains-health-survey-reveals/
 
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THE PRAMBANAN

The temple compound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia, and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. It is characterized by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu architecture, and by the towering 47-metre-high (154 ft) central building inside a large complex of individual temples.[2] Prambanan attracts many visitors from around the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prambanan
 
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am not entirely sure where to put this. its more about foreign politics then economy...
what interest me to post it here is the series of events that was told are gonna be held nearly every months... i've been looking for news on that... any idea??

Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi to visit Singapore as both countries mark ties

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi will visit Singapore next Thursday and Friday to meet her counterpart, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, kicking off a series of events to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.


Events will be held nearly every month in each country to "forge closer ties, from educational activities to recreational runs", said Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir.

He added that Ms Retno will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as well as follow up with Dr Balakrishnan on bilateral agreements covering maritime and economic cooperation, which were raised when Indonesian President Joko Widodo met PM Lee during the Leaders' Retreat in Semarang, Central Java, last November.

But top of the agenda for the visit would be discussions on a sea border treaty that Indonesia signed with Singapore in 2014 and which was ratified by the Indonesian Parliament last December, as well as cooperation in counter-terrorism, according to Mr Arrmanatha.

The pact covers a 9.45km border in the eastern part of the Strait of Singapore between Changi and Batam. It indicates areas belonging to the two sides - critical for upholding sovereignty and enforcing the law.

Mr Arrmanatha said: "We still have some outstanding border delimitation issues which we will try to intensify the negotiations on."


Discussions will also centre on intelligence- and information-sharing, as well as how the two countries can better deal with the potential rise of terrorism in the region.

The Singapore Armed Forces and the Indonesian military have been collaborating through exercises, professional exchanges and the attendance of courses.


Ms Retno will also be delivering a public lecture at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies on how Mr Joko's administration deals with conflicts with other nations.

....
read more @ http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se...ster-to-visit-spore-as-both-nations-mark-ties


on another news
Biodiesel on high demand as Indonesia turns to cleaner fuel
  • Viriya P. Singgih
    The Jakarta Post
    Jakarta | Sat, February 4, 2017 | 11:51 am
Local palm oil producers predict the domestic use of biodiesel will increase by 30 percent to 40 percent in 2017 following the government’s decision to impose the 20 percent biodiesel blending ( B20 ) policy to non-subsidized diesel fuel starting late last year.

“Domestic consumption for biodiesel will increase considering the wider implementation of the B20 policy,” said Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki) official Muryanto Amin recently.

Indonesia started implementing the B20 policy in early 2016 for the transportation and industry sectors, while power plant sectors were obliged to blend 30 percent of biodiesel ( B30 ) at the same time.

In November, the government began stipulating the implementation of the program to all gas stations in the country, including state-owned and private stations. Otherwise, each station would be charged Rp 6,000 (45 US cents) for each liter of non-blended diesel fuel sold.

As a result, Indonesia was able to consume 2.7 million kiloliters of biodiesel domestically throughout the year, 91 percent of which was blended with subsidized diesel fuel and the rest blended with non-subsidized fuel. The figure fell slightly from the original target of 2.9 million kiloliters.

This year, the government aims to increase the biodiesel consumption target to 4.6 million kiloliters with 2.5 million kiloliters of which are expected to be blended to make subsidized diesel fuel and 2.1 million kiloliters for the non-subsidized fuel.

Biofuel Producers Association (Aprobi) has even predicted that the domestic use of biodiesel could reach a maximum of 6 million kiloliters this year, about a fifth of total anticipated diesel fuel consumption.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Oil Palm Estate Fund (BPDP-KS) has allocated Rp 9.6 trillion to further support the implementation of the B20 policy. The figure could fall slightly from last year’s allocation of Rp 10.6 trillion as the average crude oil and crude palm oil (CPO) prices are expected to stand at around $50 to $60 dollar per barrel and $650 to $750 per ton, respectively, this year.

read more @ http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/...emand-as-indonesia-turns-to-cleaner-fuel.html

biofuel FTW
 
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