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.
As we are in the middle of the fourth quarter of 2017, we detect rising pressures on the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate amid broad US dollar strength. However, the decision of Indonesia's central bank to leave its interest rate regime unchanged at the November meeting managed to give some support to the rupiah (as well as Indonesia's improving balance of payments, current account deficit, and capital and financial account).
State-owned construction company Nindya Karya plans to conduct an initial public offering (IPO) on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2018 as the firm's corporate earnings have improved after its restructuring and revitalization programs. Nindya Karya business involves (1) general contracting, (2) engineering, procurement, Construction (EPC) and (3) realty.
Competitiveness in Indonesia's steel manufacturing industry can be strengthened if Indonesian steelmakers, especially the smaller ones, decide to engage in mergers and acquisitions (M&As). Mas Wigrantoro Roes Setiyadi, General Chairman of the Indonesian Iron and Steel Industry Association (IISIA), advises Indonesia's smaller steel producers to embrace M&A to make their business more economically and efficiently.
Coal imports into China are expected to recover in the last two months of the year and therefore various analysts say the coal price is able to touch beyond USD $97 per ton before the year-end. In October coal imports into China - the world's largest coal importer - had fallen by a whopping 24 percent (m/m) to 21.3 million tons due to the availability of plenty domestic coal supplies.
