Asia Economy

Developing well in recent years, the number of listed companies on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) increased by 50% in the decade to 2014, while market capitalisation was up five-fold in that period. In terms of performance, the composite index has risen far more than those of its regional peers and the international benchmarks. It is up 400% over the past decade, while...

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...

Though not as significant as in the Philippines, remittances to Indonesia from overseas foreign workers (OFWs) are crucial for thousands of families in the country. Remittances have shown strong growth in recent years, providing valuable opportunities for Indonesia’s sizeable excess labour force. Strong recent growth and new banking regulations have been a boon to the industry...

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...