Indonesia

Indonesia's Bank Aladin listed on the IDX in February 2021. (Source image from Aladin website)
DealStreetAsia

Indonesia's BNC Ventures takes 5.8% stake in Bank Aladin for $77m

Company will use new funding to meet regulatory capital requirements

5 January 2023
A villager walks near a geothermal power plant in Indonesia.
Energy

Indonesian geothermal power draws investment from Japan's Inpex

Company to use fossil fuel drilling knowhow to explore energy potential

5 January 2023
Bank Indonesia Gov. Perry Warjiyo speaks to central bank stakeholders at an annual meeting in November.
Politics

Indonesia central bank bond law raises independence concerns

Fears arise that government could arbitrarily declare crisis to monetize debt

4 January 2023
Conveyor-belt sushi chain Sushiro plans more openings abroad this year than in Japan. (Photo courtesy of Food & Life Companies)
Food & Beverage

Japan's sushi chains want bigger bite of overseas markets

Sushiro plans up to 60 new locations abroad in 2023, more than in Japan

4 January 2023
An electric bus runs in central Bangkok on Dec. 24.
Climate Change

Southeast Asian public transportation advances decarbonization

Bangkok transit authority plans to introduce 3,200 electric buses by 2025

3 January 2023
Analysts and investors predict 2023 will offer more opportunities in Asia, though shaking off the challenges of last year may take time.
Market Spotlight

Why 2023 could be the best -- and worst -- year for VCs in Asia

Venture capitalists see pickup in deal activity, but expect difficulties in fundraising

2 January 2023
Japan will host the 2023 Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, the hometown of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (left). China hosts the delayed Asian Games in 2023 (center). China eases border controls on Jan. 8 (right). (Source photos by Kyodo, Reuters and Getty Images) 
1 January 2023
Activists protest against Indonesia's new criminal code outside parliament in Jakarta on Dec. 5.
Opinion

Indonesia's sexual minorities must prepare for legal battles

New criminal code likely to be weaponized as conservatives gain ground

1 January 2023
Workers load fresh bunches of palm oil fruits for transportation to a factory.
Commodities

Indonesia to tighten palm oil exports from Jan. 1 to ensure supply

Exporters to be allowed to ship six times their domestic sales volume

30 December 2022
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo speaks during a meeting of EU and ASEAN leaders in Brussels on Dec. 14. Next year he will try to score a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Myanmar.
International relations

Indonesia faces three challenges as ASEAN's next chair

Myanmar, East Timor and South China Sea issues already divide the bloc

29 December 2022
A selection of Nikkei Asia's most memorable magazine covers from 2022. 
The Big Story

Chips, churches and China: The best of the Big Story 2022

A look back at some of Nikkei Asia's most memorable cover stories of the year

28 December 2022
Garuda Indonesia, the country's troubled state-owned airline, hopes to issue $80 million of Islamic bonds, which its CEO says will allow trading in the company's shares to resume.
Transportation

Garuda aims to restart share trading after $80m Islamic bond issue

Indonesian airline will prioritize full service and domestic routes, CEO says

27 December 2022
Halal cosmetics are drawing more interest from Muslim and non-Muslim consumers alike. (Photo by Nana Shibata)
Consumer

Indonesian cosmetics brands see opportunity in halal products

Higher female purchasing power, interest from non-Muslim consumers spur optimism

27 December 2022
Traffic jams in Canggu have become relentless since tourists returned to Bali earlier this year. (All photos by Dave Smith)
Tea Leaves

Trashing paradise: The perils of post-pandemic tourism

After enforced lull, travel returns to Indonesia's Bali with a vengeance

27 December 2022
Feon Ang, LinkedIn's managing director for Asia Pacific and Japan, is eyeing growth in India and Indonesia. (Nikkei montage/Kentaro Iwamoto/AP)
Technology

India's 'hungry' market spurs hope for LinkedIn growth: Asia chief

Indonesian subtitles to be added to site's e-learning courses in 2023

26 December 2022
Women browse shops for Christmas decorations at a shopping mall in Jakarta on Dec. 12. Economists say robust household spending will support Indonesia's economic growth in 2023.
Economy

Malaysia, Indonesia 2023 GDPs revised up on firm spending: JCER

Economist consensus shows 5 ASEAN countries to expand 4.3%, India 5.6%

26 December 2022
Following an investment of $200m, Japan's MUFG Bank is expected to hold a 10% stake in Indonesian online lender Akulaku. (Source photos from Nikkei, and Akulaku's Facebook page)
Business deals

Japan's MUFG to invest $200m in Indonesia fintech Akulaku

Banking group considers 'buy now, pay later' services in Asian consumer market

23 December 2022
The SAIC-GM-Wuling Air EVs were used as official vehicles during the Group of 20 summit in Bali in November. (Photo by Koya Jibiki)
Automobiles

Tesla, Tata and others tout affordability as Asia's EV race heats up

Cheaper options expected to help market fully take off next year

23 December 2022
Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, left, attended a summit with Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo on Dec. 22 in the Indonesian city of Bogor. (Photo courtesy of Indonesia's presidential office)
South China Sea

Indonesia and Vietnam agree on EEZ boundaries in South China Sea

Jokowi and Phuc conclude 12 years of talks with eye on China

23 December 2022
Bank Indonesia has raised its benchmark interest rate for a fifth consecutive month.
Economy

Indonesia raises key interest rate to 5.5%, highest in over 3 years

Central bank remains hawkish but shows confidence it can ease inflation

22 December 2022
A port in Pomala, Southeast Sulawesi province, Indonesia: The Southeast Asian nation will ban exports of the primary source of aluminum in June.
Commodities

Indonesia's Jokowi bans bauxite exports from June, China likely hurt

Move comes despite country's defeat to EU on nickel restrictions

21 December 2022
The Indonesian navy ship KRI Teluk Banten-516 on security patrol on Nov. 13.
South China Sea

Indonesia's new commander plans special South China Sea operation

Analysts skeptical how much incoming military chief can achieve in only a year

21 December 2022
Founded in 2019, Alami has over 111,000 peer-to-peer investors involved in almost 10,000 projects across Indonesia. (Source image from Alami website)
DealStreetAsia

Indonesian Shariah fintech Alami raises funds from beauty company unit

Startup looking to improve access to Shariah-compliant financial services

20 December 2022
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, tourist arrivals in Asia are expected to return to 2019 levels next year -- putting at risk once again the region's rich environmental and cultural heritage.
Asia Insight

Can ASEAN avoid overtourism as arrivals return to pre-COVID levels?

Governments struggle toward a more sustainable and equitable hospitality sector

20 December 2022
PLDT has deployed record capex in recent years as it pushes to upgrade its network, including internet fiber and 5G rollouts. (Source image from PLDT Facebook page)
Telecommunication

Philippines' PLDT shares plunge 19% amid $867m 'budget overrun'

Nation's top telco says it is revamping management following discovery

19 December 2022