• Initial Public Offering (IPO) Indonesia’s Taxi Operator Blue Bird

    Blue Bird, Indonesia’s largest taxi operator, plans to conduct its initial public offering (IPO) on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) this month. The company offers 531.4 million shares, or 20 percent of its enlarged capital, to the public. However, the company is yet to determine the share price for the IPO. Based on a statement released on Friday (03/10), Blue Bird holds an offering from 24 to 28 October 2014. The company’s shares are set to be listed on the IDX on 3 November 2014. Blue Bird will also hold roadshows in the US and the UK.

    Read column ›

  • Battle Jokowi-Prabowo; Democratic Future of Indonesia in Jeopardy?

    More and more concerns have arisen recently regarding the democratic future of Indonesia. In fact, some media have reported that an impeachment of president-elect Joko Widodo, who will assume office on 20 October 2014, could become a reality as opposition in parliament - led by controversial and vindictive former army general Prabowo Subianto - is large. The Merah-Putih coalition, referring to the coalition of political parties that supported Subianto in the presidential election (which he narrowly lost to Widodo) will control 353 of the 560 seats in parliament.

    Read column ›

  • Indonesia’s House Approves 2015 State Budget; Budget Deficit 2.21% of GDP

    Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) approved the 2015 State Budget on Monday (29/09) that was proposed by the outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration. The budget deficit is now set at IDR 245.9 trillion (USD $20.5 billion), equivalent to 2.21 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), and lower than the 2.32 percent of GDP proposed by the government in both the Financial Memorandum and the Revised 2015 State Budget. However, the accepted budget deficit is still high compared to previous years.

    Read column ›

  • Consumer Confidence in Indonesia Hits Record High on Jokowi Optimism

    According to data from ANZ-Roy Morgan, Indonesian consumer confidence increased 3.7 points to hit a record high at 161.4 points in August. Compared to the same month last year, Indonesian consumer confidence has grown by 11.9 points. Improved confidence in August is primarily due to increased confidence in personal finances and consumers’ expectation to buy household appliances. Indonesians are also more optimistic about the condition of the domestic economy in the five years ahead due to the arrival of president-elect Joko Widodo.

    Read column ›