Indonesia

A new presidential palace is going up in Nusantara: Some government functions will be transferred from Jakarta to the new capital in 2024. (Photo by Nana Shibata)
Economy

Indonesia's new capital aims to be 'economic growth center'

Nusantara construction 'on schedule'; 60,000 people expected in 2024: officials

2 August 2023
Units 5 and 6 of the Tanjung Jati B coal-fired power plant went into commercial operation in 2022 in Central Java province. (Photo by Koya Jibiki)
Climate Change

Japan trading houses explore Indonesia coal-fired power exits

Net-zero emissions target pressures investors to turn to renewable energy

2 August 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, talks with Tesla founder Elon Musk in Texas in 2022: Jakarta has been on a drive to attract carmakers to build EVs in the country. (Handout via Reuters)
Opinion

Tesla's move into Malaysia should be a wake-up call for Indonesia

If Jakarta does not show enough flexibility, rivals will win away investments

1 August 2023
Bukalapak is part of a wave of technology companies that have emerged in Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy. (Photo by Nana Shibata) 
Retail

Indonesia's Bukalapak records net loss of $26m in first half

E-commerce company slips back into the red after full-year profitability in 2022

31 July 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, appears with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto on a sign for Subianto's Gerindra Party. (Photo by Bobby Nugroho)
Politics

Jokowi keeps successor options open, even former rival

Indonesia's outgoing president courted by Subianto ahead of registration deadline

30 July 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, greets Indonesian counterpart Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in Chengdu on July 27. (Photo courtesy of Indonesia's presidential office)
International relations

Jokowi bags $13bn in investment pledges after meeting with Xi

China's Xinyi to build glass, solar panel factories in Indonesia in $11.5bn plan

28 July 2023
Indonesia's vibrant economy and growing population have spurred numerous tech startups, but layoffs have now cast a shadow over the sector. (Photo by David Andreas)
Startups

Indonesia startups hit by layoffs but workers still harbor hopes

GoTo, other companies retrench as shine comes off tech sector amid global woes

28 July 2023
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping meet on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Nov. 16, 2022.
International relations

Indonesia's Jokowi off to China to meet Xi

Two leaders to discuss South China Sea and investments in 'strategic projects'

27 July 2023
Indonesian startup Mekari uses AI to analyze client companies' finances and offer strategic advice. (Photo courtesy of Mekari)
Technology

Indonesia's generative AI market booms as entrepreneurs embrace risk

Chatbots that streamline work are becoming widespread

27 July 2023
GoTo CEO Patrick Walujo, right, says the company hopes the "GoPay app will pave the way for users to also become Gojek and Tokopedia customers." (Photo by Nana Shibata)
Technology

Indonesia's GoTo extends e-wallet app to country's 'unbanked'

Superapp and e-commerce company competing with rivals such as Ovo

26 July 2023
A Honda electric motorcycle is used by a Thai company in a trial. (Photo courtesy of Honda)
Transportation

Honda looks to kick-start e-motorbike sales in Southeast Asia

With Indonesian debut near, motorcycle giant going electric in promising region

26 July 2023
eFishery's smart feeding system can help shrimp and fish farmers cut costs.
Finance

Indonesian startup eFishery draws investment from Japan farm lender

First move through Norinchukin's new fund to help bring tech into aquaculture

26 July 2023
Officials sign a deal on July 25 for Indonesian state oil company Pertamina and Malaysia's Petronas to take over Shell's stake in Indonesia's giant Masela gas block. (Courtesy of Pertamina)
Commodities

Asian majors Pertamina, Petronas to pay $650m for Shell gas stake

European oil company sells interest in Masela block, including huge Abadi project

25 July 2023
Taliban soldiers guard a mosque in Kabul on June 28.
International relations

Taliban visits Indonesia in attempt to gain global recognition

Afghanistan's slumping economy seen behind regime's diplomatic overture

25 July 2023
Vidio was set up as a local video-on-demand platform to compete with foreign players such as Netflix and Disney+. (Source photo by Getty and logo from Vidio's LinkedIn account)
DealStreetAsia

Indonesia streaming platform Vidio said to be raising $100m

Funding for likely pre-IPO round may draw existing, new investors: sources

25 July 2023
Steakholder sees similarities between Jewish kosher and Muslim halal dietary requirements. (Photo courtesy of company)
Food & Beverage

Israel's food tech upstarts eye ASEAN's Muslim countries

Indonesia, Malaysia offer halal gateway for Jewish state's companies

19 July 2023
Indonesia had the most IPOs in Southeast Asia and raised the greatest amount between January and June. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
IPO

IPOs in Southeast Asia keep growing despite global headwinds

Companies capture demand for EVs and green energy as decarbonization progresses

19 July 2023
Budi Arie Setiadi looks on during his inauguration as minister of communication and information in Jakarta on July 17.
Politics

Jokowi names new communications minister amid graft case

Appointment spurs allegations of cronyism in run-up to presidential vote

17 July 2023
Foreign investors increased their holdings in "emerging" Asian bond markets outside China by over $20 billion in the first half of 2023. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Market Spotlight

Indonesia, South Korea bonds benefit from China turmoil

Foreign investors favor Asian debt markets where currency gains are expected

17 July 2023
Putri Ariani sings in front of Indonesian President Joko Widodo on June 14. (Photo courtesy of Indonesian presidential palace)
Media & Entertainment

Indonesia emerging as launchpad for online global stardom

4th largest Internet population offers opportunities for Web-focused performers

15 July 2023
Kewpie is expanding Indonesian production of mayonnaise and other condiments in hopes of capturing growing demand. 
Food & Beverage

Japan's Kewpie to boost Indonesia mayonnaise output

Condiment maker bets on country's growing population

15 July 2023
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference in Jakarta on July 14. 
International relations

Blinken says U.S. still committed to freedom in South China Sea

Top American diplomat and China's Wang Yi last met less than a month ago

15 July 2023
Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, center, speaks during the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta on July 14.
International relations

Indonesia's top diplomat warns of 'Cold War in hot places'

Foreign minister highlights Indo-Pacific risks, potential at ASEAN-led forum

14 July 2023
Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai speaks during the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Jakarta on July 13. (Pool via Reuters)
Myanmar Crisis

Some ASEAN members support Thai diplomacy toward Myanmar

Bloc releases statement following foreign ministers' meeting amid policy divide

14 July 2023
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks with his counterparts from ASEAN member countries in Jakarta on July 13. (provided by the Indonesian Foreign Ministry) 
International relations

Russia pitches use of local currencies in appeal to ASEAN

Trade with Indonesia rose 45% in 2022 as FTA talks progressed, Lavrov says

13 July 2023