The world's Internet giants that provide services in Indonesia (such as social media platforms) are encouraged to establish a permanent presence in Indonesia in the form of a representative office or foreign investment company (PT PMA) hence becoming taxable entities. If not, their services can be blocked by Indonesian authorities. Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro informed reporters about this plan on Monday (29/02). Although he declined to mention any names, it is assumed Brodjonegoro refers to social media platforms and those that sell products/services to the massive online audience of Indonesia.

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Growing Internet penetration does not only give rise to a thriving online dating business but also to an expanding online gaming industry in Indonesia. Netherlands-based Newzoo, a global market research and predictive analytics firm (with a main focus on the gaming industry), said revenue in Indonesia's online gaming industry rose 77 percent year-on-year (y/y) to USD $321 million in 2015 from USD $181 million in the preceding year. This year the online gaming industry of Indonesia is expected to grow 12 percent (y/y).

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As Indonesia is expanding its high-speed 4G mobile broadband network across the archipelago - meaning that more and more Indonesians will be connected to the Internet - the online mobile games industry has ample room for growth in Southeast Asia's largest economy. According to Netherlands-based Newzoo, a global market research and predictive analytics firm (with a main focus on games), revenue in the mobile games industry of Indonesia is expected to grow over 45 percent annually during the next couple of years.

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Before allowed to operate, online businesses in Indonesia will be required to register and secure permits in an effort to enhance supervision on online trading according to a new government draft regulation. The draft, which is currently being discussed by the Indonesian Trade Ministry, the Communication and Information Ministry, and the Law and Human Rights Ministry, is expected to be issued before February 2016. Foreign businesses engaged in online trading activities in Indonesia will also be required to register and obtain necessary permits.

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The new cabinet of Joko Widodo is advised to further develop Indonesia’s Internet industry as enhanced Internet connectivity across the vast archipelago will result in higher economic growth. Internet has become such a vital communication channel in governance, business and private lives that a direct link to economic growth is detectable. Recently, an official at Indonesia’s Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) said that with every ten percent growth in number of Internet users, the economy expands by an additional 1.2-1.4 percent.

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While Indonesia is currently in the middle of expanding its 4G network, the nation remains placed among the countries that have the poorest Internet penetration rate in the world. A recent World Bank report, titled 'World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends', zooms in on the economic and social impact that occurs when a relative large part of the population cannot be connected to the Internet or when the government fails to keep pace with the growth of technology.

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