Household consumption makes up half the Indonesian economy. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Indonesia's economy grew 5.05% in Q2

Southeast Asian nation's GDP expands as holiday demand, foreign tourists spur growth

5 August 2024
Takara Standard offers kitchens with enamel surfaces, which stand up better to humidity than wood. (Takara Standard)
Construction

Japan kitchen maker to market enamel in Indonesia to beat humidity

Takara Standard targets country's growing upper class to expand overseas sales

3 August 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin received Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia's defense minister and president-elect, at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 31.  
International relations

Indonesia's Prabowo asks Russia for help to develop nuclear power

Defense high on agenda of president-elect's four-nation Eurasian tour

2 August 2024
Nippon Shokubai will expand capacity at this plant in Banten province, Indonesia. (Nippon Shokubai)
Materials

Japan diaper material maker plans $110m expansion at Indonesia plant

Nippon Shokubai to boost production capacity for superabsorbent polymer

2 August 2024
The new towers, shown in this rendering, will serve as new landmarks in Jakarta. (Mitsubishi Estate)
Construction

Jakarta skyscraper, among Indonesia's tallest, set for 2028 completion

Japan developer Mitsubishi Estate's joint project features 330-meter tower

2 August 2024
GDP for the ASEAN six is expected to increase by an average of 5.1% annually until 2034, outpacing China's projected growth of 3.5% to 4.5%. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and Reuters)
Economy

Southeast Asia to outpace China's GDP growth and foreign investment: report

Think tank projects 5.1% average growth next decade in six key economies

1 August 2024
Alex Dolya, left, is Asia-Pacific leader for operations at Boston Consulting Group, and Fahad Anwar is managing director and lead for Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta at Inverto. (Photo courtesy of Boston Consulting Group) 
Supply Chain

Cost is key for Southeast Asia to attract EV investment, BCG says

Consultancy says region is a focus for 'all investors' in the supply chain

31 July 2024
By establishing a family offices hub, Indonesian President Joko Widodo aspires to transform the resort island of Bali into a financial magnet akin to Singapore.
Opinion

Indonesia's bid to create family office hub in Bali is a tough ask

Emulating Singapore's gold standard requires investment and strategic reforms

31 July 2024
ATMs are installed at the over 3,000 7-Eleven stores in the Philippines. (Seven Bank)
Finance

7-Eleven group ATMs coming to Malaysia in latest Southeast Asian expansion

Seven Bank to add new features like biometrics to cash machines in convenience stores

31 July 2024
A Gojek rider makes a delivery in Surabaya, Indonesia, in May 2021, when Gojek and Tokopedia merged to form GoTo Group.
Technology

Indonesia's GoTo posts $174m loss in first half

Superapp and e-commerce platform's revenue rises 12%

30 July 2024
A mine in Indonesia's Halmahera Island. (Photo by Survival International)
Opinion

Indonesia must improve ESG standards to attract global investment

Scrapping of BASF-Eramet nickel-cobalt project shows need for sustainable practices

29 July 2024
Half the top 10 listings in Southeast Asia in terms of amount raised were from Malaysia. (Photo by Norman Goh)
IPO

Southeast Asia IPO fundraising down 60% in first half as Indonesia slumps

Higher interest rates dampen listings in region with fewer big-ticket debuts

27 July 2024
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo hands a "golden visa" certificate to Shin Tae-yong, a South Korean who coaches Indonesia's national soccer team. (Photo by Ismi Damayanti)
Politics

Indonesia launches 'golden visa' program to attract business investment

Pricey permits might also reduce the number of digital nomads living in Bali

25 July 2024
The G7 summit was held in Italy in June. We are now observing the onset of a less-Western dominated world.
Opinion

The West is no longer the center of global affairs

As populism rises and emerging nations assert themselves, G-7 dominance fades

25 July 2024
Indonesian Army Chief of Staff Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak says the army wishes to build more partnerships with the armed forces of other nations, including those from ASEAN and Europe. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
Defense

Indonesian army seeks more exercises with ASEAN and China

Top general wants soldiers to get government jobs, talks of modernizing arms

25 July 2024
ASEAN's headquarters in Jakarta. This year's meetings of foreign ministers take place at a critical juncture as unrest in Myanmar threatens the bloc's unity and tensions in the South China Sea rise. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Myanmar Crisis

ASEAN ministers seek Myanmar breakthrough with 'troika' model

Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia to hold 'informal consultation' as regional talks begin

24 July 2024
JAL looks to capture growing air travel demand from Southeast Asia to offset a declining market in Japan. (Photo by Yo Inoue)
Transportation

Japan Airlines, Indonesia's Garuda to launch revenue-sharing venture

Airlines build on code-share deal with eye on growing Southeast Asia market

23 July 2024
A worker displays nickel ore at a ferronickel smelter in the Pomala district of Indonesia.
Commodities

Indonesia launches nickel, tin online tracking system

Authorities aim to improve accountability and government revenue

22 July 2024
Workers oversee nickel refining at a smelter in South Sulawesi province, Indonesia.
Commodities

Indonesia to launch nickel, tin online tracking next week

SIMBARA system already used to track coal, bauxite and copper next in line

18 July 2024
New Indonesian Vice Finance Minister Thomas Djiwandono, a nephew of President-elect Prabowo Subianto, attends a swearing-in ceremony on July 18. (Photo by Ismi Damayanti)
Politics

Jokowi appoints Prabowo's nephew as Indonesia vice finance minister

Incoming president's family likely to gain prominent roles in new administration

18 July 2024
The June cyberattack on the national data center has exposed Indonesia's vulnerability. (Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images)
Opinion

Indonesia's cyber vulnerability is a wake-up call for Indo-Pacific

Breach by state agent such as China could induce economic, military paralysis

18 July 2024
A hybrid Toyota Prius is displayed at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in suburban Jakarta on July 17. (Photo by Nana Shibata)
Automobiles

Toyota pushes hybrids to defend top spot in Indonesia, largest ASEAN market

Chinese makers challenge Japan's dominance with EVs at Jakarta motor show

17 July 2024
TikTok has become a "very relevant player" in Southeast Asia's e-commerce sector, the CEO of Singapore-based consultancy Momentum Works says.
Technology

TikTok e-commerce grows fourfold in ASEAN, narrows gap with Shopee

Combined with Tokopedia, ByteDance group takes second spot in $114bn market

16 July 2024
Staff from housekeeping services provider Bears. While a severe labor shortage in Japan means many companies are keen to hire from overseas, comparatively low wages and the historically weak yen are blunting the country's appeal. (Photos by Yuji Murakami and Ryosuke Matsui)
Asia Insight

Japan's new enemy in fight to lure immigrant workers: The tumbling yen

Visa rules eased, but currency weakness tarnishes Japan's appeal for overseas hires

16 July 2024
Indonesian and U.S. flags flying alongside in Jakarta. Indonesia is rich in nickel, copper and bauxite, and keen to promote itself as a production hub for batteries and electric vehicles.
International relations

U.S. approaches Indonesia to join Mineral Security Partnership

EU and 14 countries already collaborating on critical mineral supply chains

15 July 2024