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Although Indonesia’s export receipts hit a five-year high in 2018, imports surged as the country moved to deliver a massive infrastructure development programme, bringing the trade deficit to an all-time high after three years of surplus. The country remains dependent on raw commodities for much of its export revenues; global commodity price volatility has weighed on the trade balance in recent years, while lower demand for Indonesian exports has further dampened the outlook. Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows also slumped in 2018 after recording five years of consecutive growth, with global emerging market jitters and Indonesia’s upcoming presidential elections affecting investor sentiment. Recent reforms to prevent capital outflow from China have further weighed on FDI growth, highlighting the importance of fostering stronger trade and investment ties with smaller partners, as well as leveraging economic strength in major multilateral free-trade agreement negotiations. This chapter also contains interviews with Enggartiasto Lukita, Minister of Trade, and Thomas Lembong, Chairman, Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board.

While the Republic of Indonesia is just over seven decades old in its current form, the South-east Asian nation of more than 17,000 islands has a much longer history. The name Indonesia was first used in 1850 by British anthropologist James Richardson Logan in reference to the extensive group of islands that was known at the time as the Indian or Malay Archipelago. Archaeological analysis indicates that the ancestors of modern humans lived on the archipelago as far back as 1.9m years ago, while evidence of modern humans goes back 40,000 years. By 2000 BCE the islands were inhabited by a diverse group known as the Austronesians. These people exhibited impressive maritime skills and took full advantage of the archipelago’s location, engaging in extensive inter-island trading. This chapter contains an interview with President Joko Widodo, and a viewpoint from Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India.

Even as Saudi Arabia lays the groundwork for diversification, the energy sector is expected to continue to play a leading role in the economy. It is estimated that oil and gas will account for at least half of the country’s exports to 2040. As the world’s leading oil exporter, the Kingdom plays a key role in meeting global demand and forming international energy policies, as evidenced by the implementation of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) supply cuts to stabilise oil prices. In 2019 Saudi Arabia’s energy sector aims to strike a balance between diversifying and strengthening downstream offerings such as petrochemicals, and incorporating renewables into the energy mix. This chapter contains interviews with Abdulkarim Alnujaidi, CEO, National Gas and Industrialisation Company; and Kamal Pharran, CEO, Saudi Tabreed.

As Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city, Jeddah serves as an important commercial centre and is also the setting for a series of important developments currently under way, which will secure its place on the map as a regional economic centre. While Jeddah already boasts the biggest seaport on the Red Sea and is the gateway to the holy cities of Makkah and Medina, it is also set to become home to new tourist destinations and the world’s tallest building, the Jeddah Tower. As such, the city will play a central role in achieving the Kingdom’s aim of reducing its dependence on oil and diversifying its economy, as laid out in the long-term development blueprint Saudi Vision 2030. This chapter contains an interview with Mazen Batterjee, Vice-Chairman, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The guide contains listings of some of the leading hotels and resorts in Saudi Arabia as well as contacts for important government offices and services. It also contains useful tips and information for business and leisure visitors alike.