Indonesia

ASEAN is caught between Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Opinions within the block vary, but the conflict's effects will be felt by all. (Source photos by AP)
Ukraine war

ASEAN faces fallout from Russian invasion of Ukraine

Conflict to increase food prices, experts warn; responses from bloc members vary

25 February 2022
A J&T Express courier delivering packages during a lockdown last year in the Chinese city Shijiazhuang.
Business trends

Upstart logistics company J&T Express moves into Mexico

Indonesia-based parcel delivery company also expanding to Middle East

24 February 2022
Southeast Asia's biggest banks, all based in Singapore, are hoping the worst effects of the coronavirus pandemic are behind them.
Finance

From ASEAN to Taiwan, Singapore banks tap Asia growth post-COVID

Southeast Asia's largest lenders snapping up Citi's assets as profits surge

23 February 2022
Rising prices for cooking oil were a major contributor as Indonesia recorded its highest inflation rate in 20 months in January.
Food & Beverage

Conglomerate Salim caught up in Indonesia's cooking oil crisis

Govt cracks down on alleged hoarders as record prices hit top palm oil country

22 February 2022
Nickel being mined in Indonesia. The metal, which China severely lacks, is widely used to make lithium batteries -- the power source behind electric vehicles.
Caixin

Chinese companies face worries in quest for Indonesian nickel

Risks rise for reliance on mercurial exporter, which holds 24% of global reserves

21 February 2022
Indonesia's 142-km high-speed rail link between Jakarta and Bandung has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. (Source photos by Reuters and AFP/Jiji)
Politics

Nusantara poses threat to Indonesia's China-led high-speed rail

Capital's move out of Jakarta darkens profit outlook for rail operator

20 February 2022
Heads of delegation prepare for a meeting in Jakarta on Feb. 18, the final day of the gathering of G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors.
19 February 2022
Indonesia logged 57,049 new COVID cases on Feb. 15, hitting a new record.  
Coronavirus

Indonesia walks tightrope between growth and COVID restrictions

Vaccine disparity in country of 17,000 islands casts shadow on recovery

18 February 2022
Islands of Imagination is one of the Bali-based breweries adding some color to Indonesia's beer scene. (Photo courtesy of Islands of Imagination)
Food & Beverage

Indonesia's beer market gets a boost from Bali craft brewers

Demand for craft products rises during pandemic, but regulation a headwind

17 February 2022
Singapore-based digital lending startup Funding Societies operates in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as in Indonesia under the brand Modalku. (Source photos by Reuters and courtesy of Funding Societies) 
Startups

SoftBank leads $144m investment in Singapore lending startup

Funding Societies to expand operations to Philippines in 12 months

16 February 2022
The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted inefficiencies in Indonesia's trucking industry.
Transportation

Indonesia's trucking industry grapples with digital gap

COVID adds to pressure on drivers facing delivery challenges in island nation

15 February 2022
A passenger walks through the ticketing counter floor for international flights at Narita International Airport near Tokyo in December 2021.
Japan immigration

'Cruel Japan': Closed borders ignite furor from those shut out

International students, business leaders and diplomats urge Tokyo to open up

14 February 2022
Nusantara, Indonesia's new capital, has been conceived as a "green and smart global city" that will be developed in stages running until 2045. (Source photo by Shinya Sawai, Erwida Maulia, and Indonesian Presidential Office)
Politics

Nusantara, Indonesia's future capital on Borneo gets underway

Property prices already rising as work on basic infrastructure moves ahead

13 February 2022
Indonesia has signed a deal to buy these Rafale fighter jets from France.
Politics

Indonesia wins U.S. approval to buy F-15s after Rafale jet deal

French, Indonesian defense ministers also agree to cooperate on submarines

11 February 2022
MNC Group hopes to take advantage of rising coal prices to expand its business in the sector. (Source photos by Reuters and screenshot from MNC Group's website) 
Commodities

'Donald Trump of Indonesia' digs deeper into coal

Media conglomerate MNC seeks quick gains from surging prices of commodity

10 February 2022
Left: A group of women protest against the military government in Yangon, Myanmar, on July 14, 2021. Right: Members of the Taliban sit on a military vehicle during parade in Kabul on Nov. 14, 2021.  (Source photo by Reuters)
Politics

Afghanistan and Myanmar drag down Asia's democracy ranking

EIU report highlights challenge China poses to democracy

10 February 2022
The International Monetary Fund in January lowered its forecast for Indonesia's 2022 GDP growth rate to 5.6%.
Economy

Indonesia's economy bounced back in 2021 with 3.69% growth

GDP accelerated in Q4 to pre-pandemic level, but COVID fear remains for 2022

7 February 2022
The Thailand International Motor Expo Bangkok, held last December: The country's new car sales fell for the third year in a row, while Indonesia logged a sharp increase. (Photo by Yohei Muramatsu)
Automobiles

ASEAN new car sales rise for first time in 3 years

Indonesia spearheads market upturn with 67% gain fueled by tax breaks

7 February 2022
Indonesian lending platform Julo has secured up to $60 million from Japanese financial services firm Credit Saison.
DealStreetAsia

Indonesian fintech startup secures up to $60m from Credit Saison

Julo expands lending platform despite COVID headwinds

7 February 2022
(Source photo by Kyodo and Antra Foto/Retuers)
Commodities

Asia faces billions in stranded assets if gas becomes energy pariah

Indonesia shifts to renewables; S. Korea sees LNG as 'transition sector'

6 February 2022
Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives at the Nahdlatul Ulama ceremony in Balikpapan. (Photo courtesy of Indonesian Presidential Office)
Politics

Jokowi drums up support for Nusantara from Muslim group, sultans

Former opposition politician arrested in row over Indonesia's new capital

5 February 2022
Steam rises from a coal-fired power plant in Hangzhou in July 2021: demand for coal in Asia is proving difficult to budge.
Opinion

South Korea's carbon market a model for the rest of Asia

Without effective policies, global climate targets will slip further out of reach

4 February 2022
The "Island of the Gods" lags other Southeast Asian destinations that are making it easier for tourists to arrive without quarantining.
Coronavirus

Bali welcomes first international flight in nearly two years

Jetliner from Tokyo brings 12 travelers to island, clouding future plans

3 February 2022
Farm-to-table e-commerce startup Sayurbox is soon expected to close a funding round led by Northstar Group. (Screenshot from Sayurbox YouTube)
DealStreetAsia

Indonesian agritech startups in talks to raise capital for growth

Sayurbox, Eden Farm to expand farmer-to-customer platform

3 February 2022
Cooking oil prices tend to follow the cost of palm oil, which has soared in recent months due to supply shortages. (Photo by Shotaro Tani)
Economy

Indonesia fights to cool inflation as CPI hits 20-month high

Food and drink prices up 3.45% on-year amid supply disruptions

2 February 2022