Indonesia

A containership off Singapore: Europe accounts for 9% of ASEAN exports, according to Maybank.
Ukraine war

ASEAN faces 'collateral damage' from Ukraine war's Europe impact

From Singapore to Thailand, spillover threatens COVID-hit economies anew

27 March 2022
The Orient Hotel Jakarta, left, and the Hilton Garden Inn Jakarta Taman Palem, right, have addressed the effects of the coronavirus pandemic head on. (Source photos courtesy of the hotels)
Travel & Leisure

Jakarta hotels build on lessons learned during the pandemic

Focus on 'staycations' expected to keep providing boost as outlook brightens

26 March 2022
Indonesian President Joko Widodo's ability to charm is increasingly being tested as he tries to please both the public and big business. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
The Big Story

Unfinished business: Indonesia's Jokowi still has lots to do

The 'People's President' talks to Nikkei Asia about growth, the new capital and whether two terms is enough

23 March 2022
Buy now, pay later payment platforms are proving a harder sell with consumers in Asian compared with other markets, despite early investor excitement over the latest financial technology trend.
Finance

From Hong Kong to Philippines, 'buy now, pay later' a tough sell

Much-hyped consumer financing method lags behind mobile wallets in Asia

19 March 2022
GoTo is hoping that by listing in Indonesia its shares can escape the undertow that has dragged away value from other newly listed super app providers. (Source photos by  GoTo Group and AFP/Jiji) 
Business Spotlight

Indonesia holds key to GoTo's 'aggressive' IPO valuation

Super apps burn through cash in fight for Southeast Asia's biggest digital market

18 March 2022
The Philippines opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from over 150 countries in February.
Economy

Philippines, Indonesia to revamp tourism sector amid reopening

Southeast Asia pushes for a more resilient industry to deal with future crises

17 March 2022
Marija Ralic, Asia lead at philanthropic arm Google.org, top center, said the $6m seed fund would "supercharge" nonprofit organizations working on air pollution, waste, biodiversity, renewables, or the circular economy.
Climate Change

Google launches $6m seed fund for Asian climate tech

Tech giant commits to fight "most pressing" challenges at ADB event

16 March 2022
People wear masks against COVID-19 in Jakarta on March 15. A new ADB report says Indonesia should speed up connections across the archipelago and push technology transfers in order to hasten recovery from the pandemic.
Economy

Digital, trade infrastructure key to Southeast Asia recovery: ADB

As pandemic-hit economy faces risks of inequality, bank urges strong protections

16 March 2022
Wildlife for sale last year at a market in Khammouane Province, Laos. (Courtesy of WWF-Greater Mekong)
16 March 2022
GoTo's Indonesian IPO comes as tech stocks in Southeast Asia have taken a beating. (Source photo by Goto)
IPO

Indonesia's GoTo braves rocky market with $29bn valuation IPO plan

Merged superapp company's move comes as rival Southeast Asian tech stocks slump

15 March 2022
FinAccel, a parent of Indonesian retail credit provider Kredivo, is ditching its merger with Victory Park's second SPAC. (Source image from FinAccel website)
DealStreetAsia

Indonesian fintech startup FinAccel scraps SPAC merger

Unstable market and SEC's tighter audit standards suspend listing plan

15 March 2022
Gojek and other companies are using Mitsubishi Motors’ light EVs to make deliveries as part of tests in Indonesia where the Japanese automaker hopes to make inroads.
Automobiles

Mitsubishi Motors tests commercial EVs in Indonesia

Those vehicles will be used to deliver for Gojek, DHL and others

14 March 2022
Miners in Indonesia, the world's top exporter of thermal coal, are looking to cash in on surging prices for the commodity, but government restrictions are casting a shadow.
Market Spotlight

Indonesia coal miners soar over Russia supply concerns

Threat of another export ban stops producers cashing in right away

14 March 2022
Commuters in Mumbai: India is likely to see pay increases average 9.2% this year, according to one survey.
Economy

From India to Indonesia, wages to rise faster alongside inflation

Studies find Asian employers ready to pay more after COVID pain

13 March 2022
SoftBank Group is not investing in Indonesia's project to build a new capital in Borneo. (Source photo by Reuters and Jun Suzuki)
SoftBank

SoftBank pulls out of Indonesia's new capital project

Vision Fund remains committed to backing Indonesian startups, tech group says

11 March 2022
A Singapore Airlines plane at the Singapore Airshow in February: The city-state this week announced a package worth 500 million Singapore dollars to support its aviation sector.
Coronavirus

Singapore weighs air hub reopening as Malaysia charges ahead

City-state plows millions into restoring aviation but remains cautious about border

11 March 2022
Bambang Susantono is inaugurated as the head of the National Capital Authority on March 10. (Screenshot from Sekretariat Presiden's YouTube page.)
Politics

Indonesia appoints ADB expert as head of Nusantara authority

Leader of new capital has power to issue licenses and promote development

10 March 2022
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo granted an exclusive face-to-face interview with Nikkei Asia near Patimban Port in Subang, West Java, on March 8. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
Interview

Indonesia's Jokowi calls for cease-fire in Russia-Ukraine war

Sanctions are 'not the answer,' G-20 chair says in exclusive Nikkei interview

9 March 2022
Netflix's apocalyptic South Korean series "Hellbound" became the world's most-watched television show on Netflix in a mere 24 hours upon its release in 2021. (Courtesy of Netflix)
Tea Leaves

Asian horror films challenge Western dominance

Global smash hits have raised the bar on quality of future productions

9 March 2022
Stream article image
Economy

Indonesia's newest province chases $132bn industrial dream

Jokowi pins green hopes on Borneo amid delays at China-backed hydro plant

7 March 2022
J&T Express delivers 2.5 million packages a day in Indonesia. (Photo courtesy of J&T Express).
36Kr/KrASIA

Boom or bust? The story of J&T Express in China

Indonesian company now sees world's No. 2 economy as its main target

7 March 2022
Oil prices are higher than they have been since 2008, causing governments to balance budgetary concerns against the need to keep people -- and economies -- moving. (Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images) 
Market Spotlight

In Asia, oil price surge stokes government fear of angry voters

Unaffordable or unavoidable? Helping drivers buy fuel is becoming both

7 March 2022
Walking tour operators in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta have found ways to keep them going during the pandemic. (Source photos courtesy of Wisata Kreatif Jakarta and Jakarta Good Guide)
Travel & Leisure

Pandemic keeps Jakarta walking tour operators on their toes

Overseas tourist base dries up, but curious young locals extend welcome lifeline

28 February 2022
The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs' new guidelines on the use of loudspeakers at mosques include a volume limit of 100 decibels.
Society

Indonesia's new guidelines for quieter mosques spark controversy

Jakarta tightens use of loudspeakers at dawn, limits volume to 100 decibels

27 February 2022
Oil refineries near Singapore port terminals in 2013: The city-state's plan to significantly raise its carbon tax is making waves.
Climate Change

Singapore carbon tax gallops ahead of Japan and Indonesia levies

Heavy polluters face high costs as city-state sets 'bold' new tone for Asia

26 February 2022