Economy

Marking its first year in power, Indonesia’s new government has launched a major drive to boost the nation’s transport, power and water infrastructure. The administration in Jakarta is taking a leading role in helping to overcome the challenges facing the industry, and the private sector has been given a clearer, more efficient legal and administrative framework within which...

One key development in the new wave of Indonesian infrastructure programmes is a major change in the way they will be funded. The government is set to play a much bigger role in financing, directly through increased central and local government budgets, and indirectly through enhanced funding opportunities for state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The private sector stands to...

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...