• Number of Foreign Tourists in Indonesia Maintains Growth Momentum

    The number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia increased 9.56 percent to 4.55 million in the first half of 2014 from 4.15 million foreign visitor arrivals in the same period last year. This result is considerably better than the government’s target of achieving an 8 percentage point growth in the first half of 2014. The Ministry for Tourism and Creative Economy is optimistic that this year’s target of welcoming 9.5 million foreign visitors in Indonesia will be realized. Last year, Indonesia was visited by 8.8 million foreign tourists.

    Lanjut baca ›

  • Foreign Banks in Indonesia Post Large Profit on Rupiah Depreciation

    According to data from the Financial Services Authority (OJK), foreign banks operating in Indonesia have posted great profit growth in the January to May 2014 period. Combined, these foreign banks have recorded a 94.36 percentage point growth (year-on-year) in profit to IDR 3.79 trillion (USD $323.9 million) in the first five months of this year. The reason behind this jump in profit is the sharply depreciated rupiah exchange rate. Over the course of 2013, the rupiah fell over 25 percent against the US dollar.

    Lanjut baca ›

  • Indonesia Trade Balance June 2014: Recording a USD $300 Million Deficit

    The trade balance of Indonesia swung back into a deficit in June 2014. According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), published on Monday (04/08), the country’s trade deficit amounted to USD $300 million in June. Indonesian exports grew 4.45 percent (year on year) to USD $15.42 billion, while Indonesian imports increased 1.83 percent (year on year) to USD $15.72 billion. This year so far (the January to June period), Southeast Asia’s largest economy has to cope with a USD $1.15 billion trade deficit.

    Lanjut baca ›

  • Relatively Mild Peak in Inflation in Indonesia: 0.93% in July 2014

    On Monday (04/08), Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced that the July 2014 inflation figure was 0.93 percent (month-on-month), considerably higher than the 0.43 percent of inflation in the previous month but significantly lower than the 3.29 percent inflation recorded in July last year (when inflation accelerated sharply due to higher subsidized fuel prices implemented by the government in June 2013). Head of BPS Suryamin stated that food prices contributed most to the July inflation pace, followed by instant food, drinks, cigarettes and tobacco.

    Lanjut baca ›