Indonesia

Indonesia's IT industry could be in line for an increase in state support, with the government looking to boost funding for infrastructure while backing calls for greater assistance to the domestic software sector.

Indonesia’s economy is gaining momentum but the country’s industrialists remain cautious, wary of the impact of a new trade agreement they fear could see the Indonesian manufacturing sector swamped by cheap Chinese imports.

Indonesia wants to leverage the strong performance of the country's capital markets by boosting direct contributions to the real economy, raise the involvement of listed companies in state projects and increase bond issuances to fund major public developments.

Indonesia's IT industry could be in line for an increase in state support, with the government looking to boost funding for infrastructure while backing calls for greater assistance to the domestic software sector.

While Indonesia's economy has avoided slipping into recession, posting solid growth throughout the global crisis, there are still some underlying concerns that Jakarta needs to address.

The air in Indonesia hangs heavy with smoke from the distinctive clove-scented kretek cigarettes that account for the bulk of production in one of the world's most distinctive and largest tobacco industries. The sector is large in terms of production, employment and number of firms, and is responsible for generating major revenues for the government through taxes, while also forming a distinct part of Indonesia's culture.