Economy: News & Insights

A woman walks inside Penang International Airport's arrival hall. The Malaysian state of Penang is popular with Indonesian medical tourists. (Photo by Randy Mulyanto)

Health Care

Malaysia's Penang lures medical tourists from Indonesia

Geographic proximity, linguistic similarities, quality and costs among advantages

21 November 2023

Construction of a bridge to be connected to the national capital Nusantara in Indonesia's East Kalimantan province. Sinar Mas Land plans to build a hotel in the new city. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and Reuters)

Travel & Leisure

Indonesian conglomerate Sinar Mas to open hotel in new capital

Developer sees opportunity as government functions begin Nusantara move next year

15 November 2023

In front, from left: Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pranowo are fighting to replace incumbent President Joko Widodo, whose economic policies loom over the race. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP, Reuters, and Ken Kobayashi)

Indonesia election

'Jokowinomics' and Palestine gain Indonesia presidential election spotlight

Three months ahead of voting, country's presidential hopefuls 'tend to be populist'

14 November 2023

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has led efforts to ban exports of nickel ore and other minerals to boost their value and foster domestic industries. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)

Comment

Indonesia's growing resource nationalism stirs Global South

Jokowi's export bans seen as a wake-up call to leading industrial powers

13 November 2023

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden, pictured here at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022, will meet on Nov. 15 in San Francisco for the first time in a year.

Your Week in Asia

Sri Lanka budget, Xi-Biden summit, Japan Q3 GDP

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

12 November 2023

Economy

Indonesia GDP growth slows to 4.94% in Q3 as exports decline

Domestic demand helps grow economy as commodity prices fall

6 November 2023

Following monetary tightening in Indonesia and the Philippines, Asia will see key monetary policy meetings next week from Japan and Malaysia. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Markets

On topic: Asian wave of rate hikes hits as inflation bites

A collection of stories to catch up on a recent hot topic

28 October 2023

From left to right: Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo and Prabowo Subianto. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Reuters)

Indonesia election

Indonesia presidential race shapes up as three-way fight

Defense chief jumps in, gains support from Jokowi's two sons amid controversies

25 October 2023

Bank Indonesia explained that the rate hike was a precautionary measure to mitigate the impact of higher prices for imports.

Economy

Indonesian rate hike highlights Asia's tough battle to defend currencies

Prospects of easing fade as Philippine peso and others remain weak

23 October 2023

Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala Mansury speaks to Nikkei Asia in Jakarta on Oct. 5. (Photo by Nana Shibata)

International relations

China snaps up ASEAN's green, digital investment opportunities

U.S., U.K., France, Australia also join bloc's new projects: Indonesia minister

22 October 2023

Thailand's Si Thep Historical Park has been named a World Heritage site. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Travel & Leisure

Thailand's new World Heritage site faces overtourism pitfalls

Si Thep park unprepared for surge in visitors or threat of artifact theft

22 October 2023

Indonesian rupiah bank notes at a money changer in Jakarta.

Economy

Indonesia raises key interest rate to 6% in surprise move

Central bank bends under rupiah pressure, keeps eye on stabilizing currency

19 October 2023

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, center, and other officials launch Indonesia's crude palm oil exchange on Oct. 13. The country is the world's largest producer and exporter of the commodity.

Commodities

Indonesia launches palm oil exchange to rival Malaysia benchmark

Regulator says voluntary bourse will provide 'transparent' transactions

13 October 2023

Markets

Indonesia's Barito Renewables Energy up 25% in market debut

Geothermal energy group's share sale tests investor appetite for clean-power sector

9 October 2023

Trains on Indonesia's first high-speed railway have eight cars and a capacity of 601 passengers.

Transportation

Indonesia's first high-speed rail opens: 5 things to know

China-backed WHOOSH train brings economic benefits, but some are skeptical

3 October 2023

A port along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: Lackluster exports are dragging down Thailand's economic forecast.

Economy

Malaysia and Thailand GDP outlooks cut as China slows: JCER

Economists also warn that El Nino's swelter will impact India and Indonesia

29 September 2023

ASEAN Business Advisory Council Chairman Arsjad Rasjid: "What is important to see is that we are now looking at other nontraditional markets." (Photo by Bobby Nugroho).

Business trends

ASEAN courts Africa amid China slowdown: business council chief

Companies examine investment opportunities in 'nontraditional' markets

26 September 2023

State-owned companies are building the basic infrastructure for Nusantara, Indonesia's new capital, including for the Core Government Area, above, where the presidential palace will be. (Photo by Ismi Damayanti)

Property

Indonesian consortium launches $1.3bn project at new capital site

Local conglomerates join first Nusantara development by private sector

21 September 2023

ASEAN leaders listen to a presentation during the inaugural ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum in Jakarta on Sept. 5. (Photo courtesy of Indonesia’s presidential office)

International relations

ASEAN pitches 93 projects worth $38bn at summit-related forum

Aluminum smelter, port development among offerings in 'flagship' initiative

5 September 2023

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet delivered a keynote address at a business forum in Jakarta on Sept. 4. (Photo by Tsubasa Suruga)

Cambodia's new leadership

Cambodia's Hun Manet shares 'high-income' goal in diplomatic debut

New prime minister also vows commitment to rule-based order at ASEAN event

4 September 2023

A Jakarta shopping district. The cross-border QR code payment arrangement will make it easier for Southeast Asians to pay for items in other countries in the region.

Economy

Vietnam, Philippines and Brunei to join cross-border QR payment scheme

ASEAN-wide arrangement would ease reliance on U.S. dollar

26 August 2023

While global leaders make the trek to Port Moresby to court PNG's leader, rising debt, inflation and sluggish growth could derail Prime Minister James Marape's plan to make his country the world's "richest Black Christian nation."

Asia Insight

Papua New Guinea's Marape: Pacific power broker or PM in peril?

Amid U.S.-China balancing act, PNG leader faces mounting pressure at home

22 August 2023

Opened in 2015, the Integrated Maritime and Fishery Center Natuna is the largest fishing port on Natuna Besar. (Photo by Koya Jibiki)

South China Sea

Indonesia taps local fishers to boost Natuna Islands defense

Modernizing industry emerges as priority in deterring Chinese maritime claims

18 August 2023

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, wearing traditional attire from the Tanimbar Archipelago, delivers his state of the nation speech to parliament in Jakarta on Aug. 16.

Economy

Jokowi urges next leader to maintain commodity policies

Indonesia also unveils $216bn draft budget for 2024, up 8%

16 August 2023

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with folk artists after addressing the nation during Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in Delhi in 2022.

Your Week in Asia

India, Indonesia, Singapore leaders to speak; Kishida-Yoon-Biden summit

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

13 August 2023