Asia Economy

This chapter includes useful information for business and leisure visitors, including accommodation options and unique activities that may be of interest to visitors, such as ecotourism. It also contains information vital to visitors, including transport, visa requirements, currency, and tips for maintaining good health and respecting local customs while experiencing Indonesia.

The province of East Java is governed from Surabya, a major industrial and port city, and is subdivided into nine cities and 29 regencies. It has a population of 37.5m and contributes around 15% of national GDP. With much infrastructure and economic muscle already in place, the potential for growth in East Java is great, as are the investment opportunities. The province is well positioned to take...

As a nation of 245m people, spread over three time zones and about 17,500 islands, Indonesia has always been a country of great diversity – economically, politically, culturally and ethnically. Since the return to democracy, this diversity has been increasingly recognised, with a policy of decentralisation handing more power to the regions. Redressing old imbalances between the centre and the...

With its low debt-to-GDP ratio and abundant resources, growing consumer demand, healthy political discourse and rising investment, Indonesia is set to lead the region and could become the world’s sixth-largest economy by 2030. The country has 11 commercial ports, more than 200 airports, an estimated 17,508 islands and around 245m people. The government is working to address the current lack of...

Indonesia’s place as the largest economy in ASEAN presents a strong value proposition for investors. Already achieving one of the world’s most consistent economic growth rates of above 6% since 2007, with only a minor dip to 4.6% in 2009, Indonesia has continued to impress global investors as more export-oriented economies have wavered. The BKPM has forecast that Indonesia will attract $40bn in...

While the modern state of Indonesia only came into being after the Second World War, the islands’ history dates back much earlier: evidence of humanoid activity from 1.5m-1.6m years ago has been found on Java. Following the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, the islands experienced European colonial rule until the Second World War. The country was occupied by the Japanese during the...