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A series of large-scale government bond issues in Indonesia is the latest sign of the benefit of an improved credit rating in accessing international capital. The government is lining up a $1.75bn global bond issue for October, including a $1bn sukuk (sharia-compliant bond) and $750m worth of Japanese yen-denominated conventional bonds.

Following the significant increase in non-oil merchandise trade in 2011, market participants in the local transport and logistics sector appear to be preparing for a continued rise in activity in 2012, with one Abu Dhabi-based shipping firm recently investing $44m in a new vessel.

Officials remain confident of solid economic growth this year, although there are concerns that domestic and regional unrest will leave the kingdom falling short of its objectives for 2012.

Faced with a subdued economic prognosis, in September the government introduced a law that will relax regulations for foreign direct investment (FDI) and ease the business environment for foreign entrants to the retail sector. The politically sensitive ruling, issued on September 20 by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, allows for 51% FDI in multi-brand retailing and comes swiftly on the heels of a September 14 cabinet ruling that relaxes the sourcing norms for foreign retailers investing beyond 51%.

La creciente tendencia hacia la alimentación saludable en los mercados de exportación más importantes, como el de los EE.UU., ha impulsado el reciente aumento de las exportaciones agrícolas, del cual se espera continúe a pesar de una serie de desafíos geográficos y logísticos para aumentar la producción.

The government’s approval of a bond release over the next two years to help fund major infrastructure projects should provide a much needed boost to the construction housing and transport sectors, with affordable housing and road connectivity cited as top policy concerns.