With the start of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2016, Indonesia has to face tougher competition for its fruits exports. The AEC entails a high degree of free trade among its member nations and therefore competition for tropical fruit exports increases, not only in export markets in other parts of the ASEAN region but also on Indonesia's domestic market. Kafi Kurnia, Head of the Indonesian Export-Import of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association (Assibisindo), stated that, despite the great potential, Indonesia's fruit export volume remains small. The government is to blame as it fails to turn fruit into a key export commodity.

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For its raw materials the pharmaceutical industry of Indonesia is highly dependent on imports. Around 90 percent of medicines' raw materials, roughly IDR 7 trillion (approx. USD $526 million), may be imported this year. Meanwhile, given the Indonesian government is eager to develop its universal health care program (launched in 2014), demand for pharmaceutical products in Indonesia is expected to rise further. Total clients under the national health insurance program is expected to rise from 162 million in 2015 to 186 million in 2016. By the year 2019 the government wants to provide universal health care to all Indonesians.

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The government of Indonesia unveiled its eleventh economic stimulus package. The country's Chief Economics Minister Darmin Nasution presented the package at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (29/03). Indonesia's latest stimulus package includes a lower tax rate on property purchased by local real estate investment trusts, the harmonization of customs checks across the nation's ports (curtailing dwell time), government subsidies for loans taken up Indonesia's export-oriented small and medium enterprises, and the drawing of a roadmap for the nation's pharmaceutical industry.

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Ten Indonesians have reportedly been taken hostage by Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants after their Indonesian vessel, en route from Banjarmasin (South Kalimantan) to the Philippines, was hijacked in Philippine waters. According to local media the Indonesian vessel (a tug boat) was found abandoned in the Philippines' Tawi-Tawi province and a USD $1 million ransom has been demanded in exchange for the crew's release. The incident apparently already happened on Saturday (26/03). Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Ministry and State Intelligence Agency (BIN) have confirmed the case.

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