• Infrastructure Indonesia: Jakarta-Surabaya Railway & Patimban Seaport

    After Japan was disappointed by not being awarded the contract to build a high-speed railway between Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta and Bandung (West Java), the Indonesian government now plans to offer the revitalization of the northern Java railway to Japan. Another project that is expected to be offered to Japan is the Patimban seaport project in Subang (West Java). Indonesian President Joko Widodo is currently in Japan for a two-day visit to attend the Group of Seven summit on invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

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  • Child Sex Offenders in Indonesia to Face Death Penalty & Castration

    Indonesian President Joko Widodo has signed a controversial decree that introduces tougher penalties for child sex offenders in Indonesia. By replacing a 2002 law, Indonesia now introduces various new consequences for those who have been found guilty of sex offenses against children. The new penalties comprise the death penalty, chemical castration, life-long prison sentences, electronic monitoring (after release from prison), and the publicly announcement of the identity of the child molester.

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  • Fitch Ratings Affirms Indonesia's Sovereign Credit Rating at BBB-/Stable

    Global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings maintained Indonesia's sovereign credit rating at BBB-/stable outlook in May 2016. BBB- is the lowest notch within the investment grade category. In a statement released on Tuesday (24/05) Fitch Ratings expressed that Indonesia's low public debt (at 26.8 percent of gross domestic product), limited risks in the banking sector, and the economic growth outlook at 5.1 percent (y/y) in 2016 amid global challenges were all factors that supported the decision of the credit rating agency to keep Indonesia on investment grade status.

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  • Indonesia Targets 50% Increase in Motorcycle Exports in 2016

    The Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association (AISI) says Indonesia's motorcycle exports should rise by 50 percent (y/y) to around 342,000 units in 2016. Gunadi Sindhuwinata, General Chairman of the AISI, stated that Indonesia's motorcycle exports have been impressive so far this year, rising 76 percent (y/y) to 97,778 units in the January-April 2016 period. This impressive export performance is supported by the choice of several global motorcycle manufacturers to make Indonesia their production hub for specific motorcycles.

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