Indonesia

The country’s urban areas have grown rapidly in recent decades, with Jakarta’s population more than doubling since the 1970s, driven by an influx of rural migrants seeking better opportunities. This growth has not been without consequences, as municipal governments struggle to absorb new residents, and infrastructure and employment gaps pose significant challenges to smooth...

The rising attractiveness of Indonesia as a regional destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) has been highlighted by its growing trade relationship with China, with leaders from both nations announcing over $60bn in potential new investments and financing in early 2015. Indonesia’s planned wave of national infrastructure projects is expected to gain from competition...

Indonesia’s GDP growth rate has been slowing for a number of years, falling from 6.5% in 2011 to 5% in 2014 and 4.7% in first-quarter 2015 – the lowest rate since 2009. From third-quarter 2014 to fourth-quarter 2014 the economy contracted 2%, and then in January 2015 the country experienced deflation of 0.2%, according to Bank Indonesia (BI). Foreign direct investment (...

Indonesia is currently in the process of transforming from a resources- and consumption-based economy to a more manufacturing- and investment-oriented one, working to build an industrial base that will allow it to reduce its dependence on imports and keep more value within the economy. It is a vital transition, one that recognises the new realities of the global economy and at...