An uncertain global economy has put pressure on Indonesia’s economy, as the yearly inflation rate grew in August for the first time since January over surging gold prices, while export growth slowed due to sliding global demand.
Last month, investors worldwide sold risky assets and shifted to safe havens amid mounting worries of a global economic slowdown, pushing up gold prices by 12.3 percent during August to break the historic US$1,900 per troy ounce price level.
Central Statistics Agency (BPS) chairman Rusman Heriawan said on Monday that massive spending on gold had driven up gold’s contribution to August’s headline inflation rate by 20 percent.
Headline inflation reached 0.93 percent during the month, and the year-on-year consumer prices index (CPI) picked up 4.79 percent during Ramadhan, the time of year when consumption is typically at its peak as over 200 million people observe the fasting month.
Core inflation — the primary measurement of the country’s inflation rate, which includes gold but excludes volatile food and government-controlled prices — accelerated faster than headline inflation to 5.15 percent, well above Bank Indonesia’s 5 percent threshold.
“Core inflation will stay at above 5 percent in September because gold prices are trending up,” Rusman told reporters after a news conference at his office.
The increases in headline and core inflation should be a seasonal concern and are not developments that need to be responded to with monetary policy tightening, according to economists.
“The increase in core inflation is not across the board. The impact of the gold prices increase is small, as gold is not a primary or secondary need for the people,” Eric Sugandi, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank Indonesia, told The Jakarta Post over the phone.
The central bank’s six-member board of governors will meet on Thursday to determine a move on Bank Indonesia’s (BI) 6.75 percent benchmark rate.
Bank Mandiri chief economist Destry Damayanti said BI should let the rupiah strengthen to provide cheaper imported products and calm inflationary pressures.
“In August, there was no help from lower import prices to offset the surge in gold prices,” Destry told the Post in a telephone interview. The rupiah depreciated 1.1 percent in August after appreciating 5.8 percent in the previous seven months of this year.
A stronger rupiah, which closed at Rp 8,539 against the greenback on Monday, has helped lower prices of imported products, resulting in an import boom that may hurt Indonesia’s net exports, a contributor to the country’s economic growth.
Rusman announced that the surplus in the nation’s trade balance fell to $1.36 billion in July, its lowest level so far this year, halving June’s surplus of more than $3 billion. “The trade surplus narrows as exports slide and imports surge,” he added
Exports slowed 5.23 percent in July as compared to June, reaching $17.43 billion, while imports grew 6.57 percent to $16.06 billion.
Rusman attributed the decrease in exports to a $1.1 billion decline in crude palm oil (CPO) exports and slowing demand from Indonesia’s second- and third-largest export destinations: the US and Japan.
Cumulatively, year-on-year exports’ 36.51 growth was still faster than the 31.87 percent in import growth during the January-July period.
Export value reached $116.04 billion in the first seven months of this year, on track to meet the Trade Ministry’s $200 billion target, while imports topped $99.64 billion.
BI governor Darmin Nasution said increasing fuel imports and a slight slowdown in global demand may continue to pressure the nation’s current account — which includes trade balance — to book deficits starting in the fourth quarter of this year. “The fluctuation in the current account will be greater.”
“If the current account books a deficit, we will need capital inflows” to maintain a surplus in the nation’s balance of payment to build up the central bank’s foreign exchange reserves, he added.
Esther Samboh, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Toshiba to Design LCD TVs in Indonesia
TOKYO, KOMPAS.com -Toshiba Corp. will begin designing LCD televisions for local markets in India, Indonesia and Vietnam in October as it attempts to mount a challenge against Samsung Electronics Co. and other South Korean rivals, The Nikkei reported early Tuesday.
The electronics giant launched an LCD TV brand for emerging countries in 2010 under the name Power TV. The brand's lineup currently includes products with built-in storage batteries for areas plagued by frequent blackouts and models with signal-boosting and noise-reducing functions.
Power TV models are now sold in Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East and Africa. In some Southeast Asian countries, its market share has roughly doubled to around 20%.
Its current offerings share common specifications across different markets, but Toshiba will start changing designs, functions and features for individual markets to better meet local needs. The firm will also consider adding functions, such as connectivity with mobile phones and other digital devices.
LCD TV design divisions are already up and running in India, Indonesia and Vietnam with around 10 staff members each. In India, the workforce will be raised to around 30 by the end of fiscal 2012 to enable the development of new products and software. In addition to TVs, the design divisions will handle notebook computers. At the same time, the company might design TVs at its personal computer development division in the Chinese province of Hangzhou.
Toshiba has been developing LCD TVs for both the domestic and overseas markets at its Fukaya factory near Tokyo, except for some models destined for the U.S. and Europe.
The firm has set its sights on boosting its worldwide LCD TV sales to 25 million units by fiscal 2013, up 80% from fiscal 2010. It aims to have emerging countries account for 50% of its global TV sales in volume terms in fiscal 2013, compared with around 20% at present.
The electronics giant launched an LCD TV brand for emerging countries in 2010 under the name Power TV. The brand's lineup currently includes products with built-in storage batteries for areas plagued by frequent blackouts and models with signal-boosting and noise-reducing functions.
Power TV models are now sold in Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East and Africa. In some Southeast Asian countries, its market share has roughly doubled to around 20%.
Its current offerings share common specifications across different markets, but Toshiba will start changing designs, functions and features for individual markets to better meet local needs. The firm will also consider adding functions, such as connectivity with mobile phones and other digital devices.
LCD TV design divisions are already up and running in India, Indonesia and Vietnam with around 10 staff members each. In India, the workforce will be raised to around 30 by the end of fiscal 2012 to enable the development of new products and software. In addition to TVs, the design divisions will handle notebook computers. At the same time, the company might design TVs at its personal computer development division in the Chinese province of Hangzhou.
Toshiba has been developing LCD TVs for both the domestic and overseas markets at its Fukaya factory near Tokyo, except for some models destined for the U.S. and Europe.
The firm has set its sights on boosting its worldwide LCD TV sales to 25 million units by fiscal 2013, up 80% from fiscal 2010. It aims to have emerging countries account for 50% of its global TV sales in volume terms in fiscal 2013, compared with around 20% at present.
Indosat Posts Net Profit of Rp681.9 Billion
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - PT Indosat posted a net profit of Rp681.9 billion in the first half of 2011, up 137.5 percent from Rp287.1 billion in 2010, its president director said.
"The increase of in the net profit was generated by the increase of in the number of the company's cellular customers from 37.8 million in the first half of 2010 to 47.3 million in the first half of 2011," Indosat President Director Harry Sasongko, said here on Monday.
That Harry said up to June 2011, the company booked an income of Rp10.05 trillion, up 4 percent compared with the figure in the corresponding period a year Earlier the which was Rp9.661 trillion. He said That by taking into account the voluntary separation scheme (VSS) burden in the first half, the income before tax interest depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached Rp4.499 trillion, down 2.1 percent from the previous Rp4.59 trillion.
Thus, the firm posted an EBITDA margin amounting to 44.8 percent, down from 2.8 points from the previous 47.6 percent. The burden of corporate business in the June 2011 period jumped up from Rp8.061 trillion to Rp8.713 trillion, so was the case of the which the business profit was down 16.5 percent from Rp1.6 trillion to Rp1.337 trillion.
Harry said That of the total corporate income of Rp10.45 trillion, about Rp8.227 trillion CAME from the cellular business and Rp1.8 trillion from non-cellular phone services.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
U.S. stocks end it Stronger
NEW YORK, KOMPAS.com - U.S. stocks closed higher on Wednesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average ending an eight-day decline in a row.
The Dow index of 30 blue-chip stocks rose 29.82 points (0.25 percent) to close at 11896.44. The S & P 500 added 6.29 points (0.50 percent) to 1260.34, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index rose 23.83 points (0.89 percent) to 2693.07 position. All three indexes have fallen more than two percent on Tuesday amid concerns about economic weakness in the United States and Europe. MasterCard shares jumped 13.4 percent Wednesday after the credit card giant reported second quarter earnings that beat estimates comfortable Wall Street. Technology shares also helped lift the market, with chip maker Intel rose 1.4 percent and Internet search giant Google was up 1.5 percent. Meanwhile, energy stocks fell as oil prices plunged to its lowest one-month of weak economic data pushed. ExxonMobil, Chevron lost 0.2 percent and declined 0.7 percent. Wednesday profit came despite a pair of reports showed that the U.S. economy slows.
ADP reported that 114,000 net jobs created by private non-farm businesses in the United States in July, less than in June, but better than analysts expected. And the Institute for Supply Management said its index of non-manufacturing activity fell to 52.7 last month, showed that the giant U.S. services sector grew by a snail's pace in July. A level of 50 indicates no growth.
"Economic numbers are bad for most of the week and a half ago and today there is no difference," said Michael James, senior equity trader Wedbush Morgan Securities.
The Dow index of 30 blue-chip stocks rose 29.82 points (0.25 percent) to close at 11896.44. The S & P 500 added 6.29 points (0.50 percent) to 1260.34, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index rose 23.83 points (0.89 percent) to 2693.07 position. All three indexes have fallen more than two percent on Tuesday amid concerns about economic weakness in the United States and Europe. MasterCard shares jumped 13.4 percent Wednesday after the credit card giant reported second quarter earnings that beat estimates comfortable Wall Street. Technology shares also helped lift the market, with chip maker Intel rose 1.4 percent and Internet search giant Google was up 1.5 percent. Meanwhile, energy stocks fell as oil prices plunged to its lowest one-month of weak economic data pushed. ExxonMobil, Chevron lost 0.2 percent and declined 0.7 percent. Wednesday profit came despite a pair of reports showed that the U.S. economy slows.
ADP reported that 114,000 net jobs created by private non-farm businesses in the United States in July, less than in June, but better than analysts expected. And the Institute for Supply Management said its index of non-manufacturing activity fell to 52.7 last month, showed that the giant U.S. services sector grew by a snail's pace in July. A level of 50 indicates no growth.
"Economic numbers are bad for most of the week and a half ago and today there is no difference," said Michael James, senior equity trader Wedbush Morgan Securities.
After Unrest, Economic Activities in Jayapura Back to Normal
JAYAPURA, KOMPAS.com - All business and public office activities in Jayapura have resumed normal operations after unidentified gunmen early on Monday stabbed and shot dead three civilians and a serviceman near Nafri village, Papua.
The situation in Abepura, Jayapura and environs are (now) very conducive following the shooting and stabbing incident on Monday and street rally participated in by thousands of Peace Papua National Committee members on Tuesday. The urban mass transportations have also conducted their normal activities, said Maximus, driver of urban mass transportation.
A food stall owner in Abepura said the businessmen here have been accustomed to the situation of shooting and stabbing incident. According to the reliable sources, besides the four fatalities, seven others were wounded in the shooting and stabbing incident which occurred at 3.15 am East Indonesia Standard Time (WIT).
Of the seven injured victims, five were being treated intensively at Abepura Hospital and Bhayangkara Hospital. Hospital sources said the fatalities were identified as First Private Don Keraf (TNI official), Sardi, Wisman and Titin.
Meanwhile, Siti Aminah, one of the victims, said the shooting and stabbing were very unexpected and sudden when they were traveling on a car. After combing the crime scene Mobile Brigade and TNI officials, Jayapura resort police spokesman Adjunct Senior Commissioner Imam Setiawan said the shooting and stabbing were allegedly perpetrated by the outlawed TPN/OPM liberation army.
"I think the massacre committed by members of outlawed Free Papua Operation (OPM) movement because not far from the crime scene we found a Bintang Kejora flag," Setiawan said.
Shooting incidents had often occurred any time and any place in Papua. In April this year security guards of mining company PT Freeport Indonesia in Timika were killed as their car dumped to a ravine following a rampage.
The incident followed the same one the previous day when gunmen fired on a car, but the driver and a passenger survived. The victims, Dani Masawan and Hari Siregar, were killed after their car had an accident and were burned on street. Spokesman of PT Freeport Indonesia Ramdani Sirait confirmed the incident.
The situation in Abepura, Jayapura and environs are (now) very conducive following the shooting and stabbing incident on Monday and street rally participated in by thousands of Peace Papua National Committee members on Tuesday. The urban mass transportations have also conducted their normal activities, said Maximus, driver of urban mass transportation.
A food stall owner in Abepura said the businessmen here have been accustomed to the situation of shooting and stabbing incident. According to the reliable sources, besides the four fatalities, seven others were wounded in the shooting and stabbing incident which occurred at 3.15 am East Indonesia Standard Time (WIT).
Of the seven injured victims, five were being treated intensively at Abepura Hospital and Bhayangkara Hospital. Hospital sources said the fatalities were identified as First Private Don Keraf (TNI official), Sardi, Wisman and Titin.
Meanwhile, Siti Aminah, one of the victims, said the shooting and stabbing were very unexpected and sudden when they were traveling on a car. After combing the crime scene Mobile Brigade and TNI officials, Jayapura resort police spokesman Adjunct Senior Commissioner Imam Setiawan said the shooting and stabbing were allegedly perpetrated by the outlawed TPN/OPM liberation army.
"I think the massacre committed by members of outlawed Free Papua Operation (OPM) movement because not far from the crime scene we found a Bintang Kejora flag," Setiawan said.
Shooting incidents had often occurred any time and any place in Papua. In April this year security guards of mining company PT Freeport Indonesia in Timika were killed as their car dumped to a ravine following a rampage.
The incident followed the same one the previous day when gunmen fired on a car, but the driver and a passenger survived. The victims, Dani Masawan and Hari Siregar, were killed after their car had an accident and were burned on street. Spokesman of PT Freeport Indonesia Ramdani Sirait confirmed the incident.
Friday, July 29, 2011
XL Income Up 8 Percent
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - telecommunications operator PT XL Axiata, Tbk, reported on the performance of the first half of 2011 with revenues increased by 8 percent (year-on-year) to Rp 9.1 trillion. The increase in operating revenue sustained by the data service revenue growth of 47 percent, and norms zation and net profit of Rp 1.6 trillion.
While EBITDA reached Rp 4.8 trillion (up 7 percent), and EBITDA margin was steady at 52 percent at the end of June 2011. In addition the number of subscribers increased by 10 percent from 35.2 million in June 2010 to 38, 9 million in June 2011.
Increasing our revenue primarily from the data service revenues, which increased by 47 percent and contributed 21 percent to total revenue of our customers use, said the President Director of XL, Hasnul Suhaimi, Friday (29/07/2011) in Jakarta.
Hasnul said, there is great potential in business services related to changes in customer behavior data from the use of traditional services (conversational and SMS services) to the data service, so in the future, we will focus more on developing data services business by strengthening our overall department.
Over the past 12 months, t elah Excelcomindo also add as many as 4084 BTS BTS (2G/3G) in Indonesia, where 1220 is a 3G BTS (3G base stations increased by 53% from 2301 to 3521 BTS BTS Jun10 Jun11). Total BTS (2G/3G) we Jun11 totaled 24,971 at the end of the BTS.
We have decided to accelerate the addition of network infrastructure for data services with consideration of the growing 3G mobile phone users in the 3G market and also the traffic generated. Our cash capital expenditures will reach about Rp 6 trillion, of which more than half will be allocated for data services, said Hasnul.
While EBITDA reached Rp 4.8 trillion (up 7 percent), and EBITDA margin was steady at 52 percent at the end of June 2011. In addition the number of subscribers increased by 10 percent from 35.2 million in June 2010 to 38, 9 million in June 2011.
Increasing our revenue primarily from the data service revenues, which increased by 47 percent and contributed 21 percent to total revenue of our customers use, said the President Director of XL, Hasnul Suhaimi, Friday (29/07/2011) in Jakarta.
Hasnul said, there is great potential in business services related to changes in customer behavior data from the use of traditional services (conversational and SMS services) to the data service, so in the future, we will focus more on developing data services business by strengthening our overall department.
Over the past 12 months, t elah Excelcomindo also add as many as 4084 BTS BTS (2G/3G) in Indonesia, where 1220 is a 3G BTS (3G base stations increased by 53% from 2301 to 3521 BTS BTS Jun10 Jun11). Total BTS (2G/3G) we Jun11 totaled 24,971 at the end of the BTS.
We have decided to accelerate the addition of network infrastructure for data services with consideration of the growing 3G mobile phone users in the 3G market and also the traffic generated. Our cash capital expenditures will reach about Rp 6 trillion, of which more than half will be allocated for data services, said Hasnul.
Bill Gates Shares Microsoft's Release
Jakarta - Microsoft founder Bill Gates is reported to have sold as many as 5 million shares of Microsoft are holding. But whether by this step, Gates no longer be the owner of the giant software maker?
The answer is of course not! Although it has been removed 5 million pieces of its shares, Gates still remains the dominant owner and shareholder of Microsoft.
Because according to the Securities & Exchange Commission quoted from AFP on Saturday (30/07/2011), the millionaire who now cultivate philanthropy world is still holding at least 551 million shares of Microsoft.
Sales of 5 million shares Gates at Microsoft itself is reportedly already registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
The selling price of the shares are estimated to be between USD 27.20 to 27.98 per sheet. That is, the total funds raised could reach $ 138 million from this transaction.
Gates himself is still listed as the Microsoft Chairman. But since June 2008, he spelled out no longer active in the company based in Redmond, U.S..
Together with his wife - Melinda - she is more concentrated to conduct humanitarian activities under the banner of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Ardhi Suryadhi - detikinet
The answer is of course not! Although it has been removed 5 million pieces of its shares, Gates still remains the dominant owner and shareholder of Microsoft.
Because according to the Securities & Exchange Commission quoted from AFP on Saturday (30/07/2011), the millionaire who now cultivate philanthropy world is still holding at least 551 million shares of Microsoft.
Sales of 5 million shares Gates at Microsoft itself is reportedly already registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
The selling price of the shares are estimated to be between USD 27.20 to 27.98 per sheet. That is, the total funds raised could reach $ 138 million from this transaction.
Gates himself is still listed as the Microsoft Chairman. But since June 2008, he spelled out no longer active in the company based in Redmond, U.S..
Together with his wife - Melinda - she is more concentrated to conduct humanitarian activities under the banner of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Ardhi Suryadhi - detikinet
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