The Today's Headlines section of Indonesia Investments is a regularly updated section which contains the latest information with regard to topics that are currently causing headlines in Indonesia's media. Most of our headlines cover political, economic and social matters. As a consequence of their recent nature, these topics may not have crystallized fully yet and can, therefore, lack a profound analysis. For publications with a more in-depth understanding of subjects, we refer you to our News, Financial or Business columns.
After having fallen over the past two months, Indonesia's benchmark thermal coal price (in Indonesian: Harga Batubara Acuan, or HBA) managed to rebound in June 2018. The HBA, a monthly price that is determined by Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (and which is based on several global and domestic indexes), was set at USD $96.61 per ton in June 2018, up from USD $89.53 in the preceding month.
The launch of the online single submission (OSS) system at Indonesia's Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) is again delayed as the BKPM still lacks the availability of enough human resources to operate the new system. Originally, the OSS system was to be implemented in April 2018. After a month's delay, 20 May 2018 was set as the new date for the launch. However, another delay awaited.
On 4 June 2018 Indonesia Investments released the latest edition of its newsletter. This free newsletter, which is sent to our subscribers once per week, contains the most important news stories from Indonesia that have been reported on our website over the past seven days. Most of the topics involve economy and market-related topics such as monetary policy, the consumer price index, manufacturing activity, and more.
Indonesian inflation was slightly below estimates at 0.21 percent month-on-month (m/m) in May 2018 because food price increases were modest amid the Islamic fasting month (Ramadan), a period when consumption (hence demand for food) tends to rise. Although the Muslim community fasts during daytime, in the morning and evening many food parties are organized and therefore, overall, consumption rises during Ramadan and the subsequent Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
