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.
Indonesian shares and the rupiah strengthened considerably on the last trading day of the week. On Friday (29/09) Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index surged 1.02 percent to 5,900.85 points, outperforming all other national benchmark indices in the Asia-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the Indonesian rupiah appreciated 0.32 percent to IDR 13,472 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index).
After seeing the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018, Indonesian construction companies gained optimism that the improved ranking of Indonesia in terms of infrastructure competitiveness will translate to more private sector involvement in the country's infrastructure sector.
Luhut Pandjaitan, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, said the Indonesian government will soon end the moratorium on the giant land reclamation project in the bay north off the coast of Jakarta. In April 2016 this project - involving the construction of 17 artificial islands for property and commercial development projects - was halted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
The US dollar is advancing on Thursday (28/09) amid strong US dollar demand on the back of US President Donald Trump's tax reform program announcement and looming further monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve before the year-end. Rising US treasury yields naturally cause US dollar strength, hence leading to weakening emerging market currencies, with especially the Indonesian rupiah being affected significantly today.
