• Bank Indonesia Expects Trade Deficit in April and Low Inflation in May

    The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) expects to see a trade deficit in the month of April 2014 due to a significant increase of imports (around 11 percent month-to-month), while prices of a number of important export commodities have been under pressure (including coal and crude palm oil). Governor of Bank Indonesia Agus Martowardojo said that weak demand from China impacts negatively on the trade balance. Bank Indonesia's statement contradicts the institution's earlier statement which hinted at a surplus of USD $600 million in April.

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  • Exports of Indonesia's Automotive Sector Grow 10.4% in First Quarter 2014

    The national automotive industry of Indonesia recorded export growth of 10.4 percent in the first quarter of 2014 (year-on-year). Statistics Indonesia said that exports in the automotive industry (which includes automobiles and motorcycles) were worth USD $1.27 billion in the first three months of the year, compared to USD $1.15 billion in the same period in 2013. However, the automotive industry of Indonesia only contributes 3.49 percent to the country's total non-oil & gas exports.

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  • Low Per Capita Ceramic Consumption in Indonesia Provides Opportunities

    The Indonesian ceramic industry is expected to continue its steady growth in 2014. Chairman of the Indonesian Ceramic Industry Association (ASAKI) Elisa Sinaga said that ceramic sales may reach IDR 36 trillion (USD $3.1 billion) in 2014. Most of these sales - approximately 87 percent - are sold on the domestic market, while the remainder is exported. The sales volume of sanitary ceramics (used on walls and floors) is targeted at 410 million m2 this year (worth roughly IDR 27 trillion), up from 360 million m2 in 2013 (IDR 24 trillion).

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  • Source of Inspiration: Warren Buffett's Top 15 Holdings as of 31 March 2014

    American business tycoon - and perhaps the most famous and successful investor - Warren Buffett has become one of the richest people in the world through his investments skills. Buffett is chairman of Nebraska-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc which has a market cap over USD $200 billion. When studying under Benjamin Graham at Columbia University, Buffett learned that discipline, patience as well as value consistently outperform the market. Below, we provide Warren Buffet's top 15 holdings as of 31 March 2014.

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