• Tropical Fruits of Indonesia: Durian, the "King of Fruits"

    The climate of Indonesia is well-suited for growing various sorts of (tropical) fruit. According to information from Indonesia's Agriculture Ministry, there are 60 types of fruit that have the potential to grow in Indonesia. One of these fruits is the durian. The durian fruit, native to Southeast Asia, is regarded the "king of fruits" due to its distinctive (large) shape and rich flavor (although some dislike the taste). Durian is also known as being the smelliest fruit in the world due to its distinctive (read: awful) smell.

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  • Indonesian Financial Institutions in Focus: Bank Central Asia (BCA)

    Bank Central Asia (BCA), the largest lender by market value and assets in Indonesia, is expected to benefit from Indonesia's tax amnesty program and improving economic growth of Southeast Asia's largest economy. CIMB Securities projects a 10 percent year-on-year (y/y) increase in loan growth in full-year 2016. However, this growth projection is slightly below BCA's loan growth realization one year earlier when it reached 12 percent (y/y). This slowing growth is attributed to lower demand for working capital credit and investment credit.

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  • Indonesian Industrial Estate Companies in Focus: Puradelta Lestari

    One of Indonesia's leading industrial estate developers, Puradelta Lestari, could see its sales rise on the back of Indonesia's tax amnesty program and the improving domestic economy. According to CIMB Securities, the company has three strengths that will enable it to see higher sales and profit in the years ahead: (1) the strategic location of its industrial estate Kota Deltamas, (2) having the biggest land banks at its disposal, and (3) strong internal cash reserves.

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  • Indonesian Plantation Companies in Focus: Astra Agro Lestari

    Expectation of rising fresh fruit bunches (FFB) and crude palm oil (CPO) volumes in the second half of the year should boost the corporate earnings of Astra Agro Lestari, one of Indonesia's leading agribusiness companies. Meanwhile, sentiments related to the La Nina weather phenomenon and rising CPO demand on the back of the Indonesian government's biodiesel program should support CPO prices. Astra Agro Lestari is the plantation unit of diversified conglomerate Astra International.

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The views expressed in these business columns are the views of the authors or the interviewed persons only and therefore do not necessarily reflect the views of Indonesia Investments. The authors are free to ventilate their opinions about the Indonesian business climate. Facts presented in these columns are the result of the author's own research or indicated sources, read disclaimer
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