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Tag: Indonesia

  • Axiata to lease capacity on IPSTAR-1 for Indonesia

    Axiata to lease capacity on IPSTAR-1 for Indonesia

    Malaysia’s Axiata Group has signed a four-year agreement to lease capacity over Thaicom’s IPSTAR-1 satellite for the provision of broadband services in Indonesia.

    Subsidiary Axiata Business Services will purchase the remaining capacity on the broadband satellite, located at 119.5° east.

    Thaicom’s IPSTAR unit will provide multi-transponder 1Gbps high throughput satellite (HTS) capacity under the contract.

    As well as direct home and enterprise broadband access, Axiata plans to use the capacity for mobile backhaul.

    “We are leveraging on Thaicom’s capabilities in Asia to grow our enterprise business quickly and flexibly while providing reliable broadband services to all potential customers regardless of location,” said Axiata group chief business operations officer Asri Hassan Sabri said.

    “Where terrestrial-based connectivity is limited or unavailable, HTS connectivity serves as an enabler to unlock the digital ecosystem for new market opportunities… Thaicom’s IPSTAR helps us to connect users in remote and underserved areas of Indonesia cost-effectively. We are confident that the partnership will enable us to continue to grow our business faster without infrastructure limitations.”

    IPSTAR-1, also known as THAICOM-4, was the first HTS satellite launched worldwide in 2005, with a capacity of 45Gbps. It includes 87 Ku-band transponders and 10 Ka-band transponders.

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  • AirAsia to launch Bali-Mumbai route

    AirAsia to launch Bali-Mumbai route

    AirAsia is launching a new route connecting Bali and Indian metropolis, Mumbai.

    The AirAsia X Indonesia service will kick off on May 19, operating seven times per week, using an Airbus A330-300 with 377 seats, 12 of which will be flatbed. Flights are already available for booking. 

    The route won’t be direct—there will be a stopover in KL, AirAsia’s hub, for 65 minutes.

    Dendy Kurniawan, AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Indonesia operations, says the Mumbai flight was added in response to an increasing demand amongst Indian tourists to holiday in Bali.

    The Indian and Chinese markets are two of the fastest growing, after all.

    The Mumbai service won’t be AirAsia’s only new route out of Indonesia. AirAsia Indonesia is also opening up a Jakarta to Macau flight starting August 7 later this year, beginning with three scheduled flights per week.

  • Japan’s Pokka Starts Making Soft Drinks in Indonesia

    Japan’s Pokka Starts Making Soft Drinks in Indonesia

    Pokka Sapporo Food & Beverage is ramping up Indonesian operations in soft drinks, switching to local production to strengthen its market foothold and save on costs.

    The Japanese beverage maker set up a production facility through a joint venture with local distributor Dima Indonesia and began shipments in late April. Pokka aims to sell 1.4 million cases in the first year.

    Since predecessor Pokka Corp. set up shop in Southeast Asia back in 1977, Pokka has become well-known in the region for its green tea, mainly in Singapore. The company has also shipped drinks produced in Singapore to Indonesia for sale.

    The first products coming out of the Indonesian plant include bottled jasmine green tea and lemon black tea. Pokka’s drinks are a little pricier than rival brands, costing the equivalent of 40 yen to 70 yen (36 cents to 63 cents) more per bottle. The company plans to use sales channels of Dima and expand sales through supermarkets and other volume retailers.

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  • Indonesia-Denmark launch wind power map

    Indonesia-Denmark launch wind power map

    The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and Denmark’s Development Cooperation Ministry launched on Tuesday a map pinpointing the wind power potential for electrification in Indonesia.

    Denmark Development Cooperation Minister Ulla Tørnæs said this was part of a six-month cooperative engagement between the two governments, during which they exchanged their experiences in developing renewable energy sources for electrification.

    “Today, we are launching a new wind map that shows the vast potential for utilizing wind in Indonesia,” Tørnæs said in her opening speech at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry in Central Jakarta on Tuesday.

    “A number of visits to Denmark by Indonesian officials over the past six months has deepened the discussion and insight into waste-to-energy solutions, the use of biomass and how to accommodate fluctuating markets.”

    The map displays the hot spots for wind power potential in Indonesia. It is expected to help the government and investors decide the best locations to develop wind turbines.

    The map was also launched alongside a book titled Integration of Wind Energy in Power Systems, which will serve as a guide for policymaking and the integration of electricity into state-owned electricity firm PLN’s existing system. The book was written based on Denmark’s experiences in wind power development.

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  • Axiata taps Thaicom satellite to connect remote areas of Indonesia

    Axiata taps Thaicom satellite to connect remote areas of Indonesia

    The deal allows Axiata Business Services to purchase the remaining capacity on the IPSTAR-1 broadband satellite so that its operating company, PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL), can deliver more than one gigabit per second of High Throughput Satellite (HTS) capacity for broadband services in Indonesia.

    Axiata Business Services will use up to seven Ku-band shaped and spot beams on IPSTAR-1 located at 119.5 degree east to provide services including broadband access directly to residential and enterprise premises.

    “We are leveraging Thaicom’s capabilities in Asia to grow our enterprise business quickly and flexibly while providing reliable broadband services to all potential customers, regardless of location,” said Axiata group chief business operations officer Asri Hassan Sabri.

    “Where terrestrial-based connectivity is limited or unavailable, HTS connectivity serves as an enabler to unlock the digital ecosystem for new market opportunities,” he said. “As the world’s first-ever HTS, launched in 2005, Thaicom’s IPSTAR helps us connect users in remote and underserved areas of Indonesia cost-effectively. We are confident that the partnership will enable us to continue to grow our business faster without infrastructure limitations.”

    XL chief executive Dian Siswarini noted that many areas and islands in Indonesia are still without Internet access.

    “We believe the availability of HTS will help us to cover these unserved areas with considerable economic potential. On top of that, it will enable us to support the local community’s economic growth and the Indonesian government’s vision to accelerate the national development of digital economy across Indonesia.”

    Thaicom chief commercial officer Patompob Suwansiri thanked Axiata for its “trust” in inking the deal.

    “We are committed to working with leading mobile-network operators throughout Asia-Pacific to facilitate the growth of wireless broadband and other digital services in remote and underserved areas.”

  • Indonesia records inflation of 0.09% in April

    Indonesia records inflation of 0.09% in April

    After seeing deflation a month earlier owing to the harvest season, the country recorded monthly inflation of 0.09 percent in April on account of increases in the prices of most commodities.

    Inflation in April brought annual inflation to 4.17 percent year-on-year (yoy), the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) announced on Tuesday.

    “I think inflation at 0.09 percent in April remained in line with what the government is trying to manage because there will be bigger challenges in May and June,” said BPS head Suhariyanto in a press conference.

    The agency warned prices of food commodities could increase in May due to rising demand during Ramadhan.

    In June, Suhariyanto said, prices would rise as an effect of the second hike of electricity rates for 900 volt-ampere (VA) capacity in May.

    “The electricity rate increase will occur in May, but the impact will only be seen in June because most customers of 900 VA are post-paid type rather than prepaid,” he said.

    The price increases in April occurred in administered prices, particularly electricity and fuel, as well as in a number of food commodities such as garlic, chicken, tomato and dogfruit.

    Meanwhile, price decreases in April were seen in major food commodities such as red and green chili, rice, sugar, beef and chicken eggs. (bbn)

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  • International Flight Services Launched in Terminal 3, Soekarno Hatta

    International Flight Services Launched in Terminal 3, Soekarno Hatta

    President & CEO Garuda Indonesia Pahala N Mansury and President & CEO of Angkasa Pura II Muhammad Awaluddin inaugurated Garuda Indonesia international flight operations service at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang on Monday (1/5) by releasing flight GA 820 route Jakarta – Kuala Lumpur and welcoming the arrival of flight GA 823 route Singapore – Jakarta.

    Flight GA 820 from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur destination, departed at 08.35 Local Time, while the arrival of flight GA 823 route Singapore – Jakarta landed at 08.15 Local Time. Both direct flights were greeted and released by the President & CEO from Garuda Indonesia and AP II.

    President Director & CEO Garuda Indonesia Pahala N Mansury said the official operation of Garuda Indonesia international flight service at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport marked the companies ongoing effort to enhance service excellence commitment and increase the convenience of all passengers in enjoying Garuda Indonesia flight service.

    “We would also like to extend our greatest appreciation and gratitude to Angkasa Pura II who successfully provided an international airport service with modern facilities which surely will further support the operational service services that we provide to all passengers.”

    “With the vision of Garuda Indonesia-based Indonesian hospitality service that is also aligned with Angkasa Pura II’s vision of making Soekarno-Hatta the best smart-connected airport in the region, Garuda is optimistic that the presence of this international Terminal 3 service will not only be a concrete step towards the development of competitive infrastructure and transportation services Global, but also a milestone for the development of national tourism aspects in the eyes of the world,” concluded Pahala.

    Meanwhile, President Director of Angkasa Pura II Muhammad Awaluddin expressed “We are grateful for the support of the public, Ministry of Transportation, especially the Directorate General for Air Transportation and other stakeholders at Soekarno-Hatta Airport so that on May 1, 2017, international route flights can be served through Terminal 3 Where this special first stage is operated by Garuda Indonesia,” he explained.

    “AP II is optimistic that the operation of international flights in Terminal 3 can further make Soekarno-Hatta Airport one of the supporters of tourism growth, in addition to the increase of Indonesia’s economy,” said Muhammad Awaluddin.

    On the other hand, Angkasa Pura II completes the operation of international flights in Terminal 3 with facilities supporting parking facilities that can accommodate about 1,200 private vehicles for regular parking. Then as a form of familiarization of the service users towards the building of International Terminal 3 parking, for seven days or starting from 1-7 May 2017 regular parking users will be free of vehicle parking fee.

    As for the parking of the vehicle, Angkasa Pura II also provides 2 parking garage area that is East Inap Parking and West Inap Parking located in the office area in the middle of the airport area where passengers who want to invite the vehicle can make reservations first through the smartphone application “Orangapark Parking” which can be downloaded through Google Play.

    In addition, on 1-7 May 2017 all tenants including food and beverages in the area of Terminal 3 International in cooperation with Angkasa Pura II will be granted an additional 10% discount to all airline passengers or airport visitors, excluding any existing discounts.

    In line with Garuda Indonesia’s international flight service to Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Garuda Indonesia is optimistic that it will further strengthen the 5-star service and increase the capacity of pre-light and post-flight services provided to all passengers.

    International flight services in Terminal 3, Garuda Indonesia will further expand the capacity of its pre-post flight service to all users of the service users. At Terminal 3 later, Garuda Indonesia will operate 26 check-in counters as well as a significant increase in executive lounge capacity with an area of 2,100 m2 comprising 350 seats for business class and 56 seats for first class.

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  • Hong Kong Investor Expresses Investment Commitment to Jokowi

    Hong Kong Investor Expresses Investment Commitment to Jokowi

    During a meeting with President Joko Widodo or Jokowi at Conrad Hotel in Hong Kong, CK Hutchison Holdings Limited owner Li Ka-Shing expressed investment commitment in Indonesia.

    “CK Hutchison Holdings Limited is one of the largest companies listed in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange,” Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in a press release on Monday, May 1, 2017.

    CK Hutchison Holdings Limited is one of the largest container terminal operators in the world with a total investment of US$10 billion. Retno explained that the company views Indonesia as a country with a huge potential. Therefore, Li Ka-Shing expressed his commitment to increasing the company’s investment in Indonesia.

    “A commitment to increasing investment in Indonesia has been made,” Retno added.

    During the meeting, President Jokowi also elaborated a number Indonesian government plans to improve the economic growth.

    “Indonesia’s economic reform was one of the topics raised by President Jokowi,” Retno said. “President Jokowi also explained Indonesia’s infrastructure development plans.”

    In addition to Retno, attending the meeting were Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Investment Coordinating Board head Thomas Lembong.

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  • Growing flight frequency of Mideast airlines to benefit Bali tourism

    Growing flight frequency of Mideast airlines to benefit Bali tourism

    The Bali branch of the Indonesian Association of Tour Operators (Asita) said increase in the flight frequency planned by major Mideast airlines – Qatar Airways and Emirates Airlines between Middle East and Bali would significantly contribute to the islands tourism growth.

    Qatar Airways said through its Instagram it would increase flights to three times between Doha to Bali starting May 7, 2017.

    “Now there will be more reasons to see the yet untouched beauty of Bali,” the airline wrote in its social media account that drew more than ten thousands of comments.

    Earlier this month, another major airline from that region, Emirate Airlines of the United Arab Emirates already announced plan to increase flight frequency to twice everyday from Dubai to Bali starting July 2 this year.

    The increase in the flight frequency by the two world class airlines would further draw foreign tourists to Bali, Chairman of the Bali branch of Asita Ketut Ardana said here on Monday.

    Ardana said the recent holidaying visit of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Bali has added to the attraction of Bali for tourists from Middle East.

    “Bali is already attractive but with the visit of the Saudi King and his large entourage made Bali more attractive for holiday makers from Middle East,” he said.

    The increase in the flight frequency by the two airlines would facilitate the transport of tourists from that region to Bali, he added.

  • 500 Startups funds Stockbit, a social network for stock trading

    500 Startups funds Stockbit, a social network for stock trading

    Indonesia’s Stockbit bills itself a “social network for stock traders.” Individual traders sign up for customizable stock market information and analytics. Basic features are free, while paying subscribers get more in-depth intelligence.

    The site’s been growing and adding features since 2012. The company just closed an investment from 500 Startups, it said in a release today. It’s a pre-series A round, and the sum is undisclosed.

    The new investment is supposed to fuel the launch of a new a feature that lets community members follow more experienced stock traders and copy their investment moves in an automated process.

    “Our proposition is simple. Just copy, let the best do the rest,” is how CEO Wellson Lo explains the feature. You can allocate a fixed amount, say US$5,000, and this amount will be invested by mirroring the person you are following. Trading “leaders,” as the people you can follow are called, also benefit. They get a share of the profits you make.

    It’s been in development since last year and will become available on Stockbit’s iOS and Android apps soon, though there’s no set launch date yet.

    Traders wanted

    Public participation in the stock market is extremely underrepresented in Indonesia, argues Wellson. Less than 0.3 percent of the adult population have a stock trading account. In Singapore, it’s 39 percent and more than 20 percent in China.

    Part of the reason is a knowledge gap, which Stockbit hopes to address by making it simple for novice traders to learn and reap benefits without risking too much.

    Back in 2015, after Stockbit last raised funds, including from local VC firm Ideosource, Wellson had told Retail News that the startup had 15,000 registered users, while paid subscribers were still only in the hundreds. The user base has about tripled since then, according to Stockbit.

    There’s an ongoing effort by the Indonesian Financial Services Authority to raise awareness about investment opportunities on Indonesia’s public markets, a development Stockbit hopes to be able to leverage for its growth.

    500 Startups partner Vishal Harnal says Stockbit is already the largest and most active community of stock traders in the country, which gives the startup an advantage over potential competition.

    Besides Stockbit, there are trading information sites like Idsaham or Infovesta, but those sites merely aggregate stock information and don’t yet offer analytics tools. Bareksa can be seen as a possible competitor, as it offers a variety of financial analytics tools and also aggregates information about the Indonesian Stock Exchange, among other functions.

    Algomerchant from Singapore has a similar solution, offering a mix of social networking and analytics. However, Algomerchant lets you subscribe to a set of trading algorithms, not individual people, explains Wellson. Stockbit’s social trading model is most comparable to Covestor in the US.

  • Bank Mandiri posts net profit of Rp4.1 trillion in Q1

    Bank Mandiri posts net profit of Rp4.1 trillion in Q1

    State lender Bank Mandiri posted a net profit of Rp4.1 trillion in the first quarter of 2017, up 6.9 percent from Rp3.8 trillion in the same period last year.

    One of the factors increasing the profit was the rise in the amount of financing as reflected by credit growth, which rose 14.2 percent to Rp656.2 trillion in the first quarter of 2017, with the gross non-performing loan (NPL) ratio reaching 3.98 percent, Bank Mandiri President Director Kartika Wirjoatmodjo said here on Tuesday.

    “Although the gross NPL ratio rose 80 points year-on-year, its value was relatively good compared to Dec 2016,” he stated.

    In addition, the net profit hike was also fueled by net interest income and net premiums, which rose by 3 percent to Rp13.4 trillion, and fee-based income, which went up by 25 percent to Rp13.4 trillion.

    He added that the bank also managed to cut operating costs by 3.8 percent to Rp7.9 trillion, while operating profit before tax and reserves increased 11.9 percent to Rp10.8 trillion compared to March 2016.

    The banks total assets reached Rp1,034.4 trillion as of the first quarter of 2017, up 14.1 percent compared to the same period last year.

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  • Indonesia, Singapore partner to develop startups

    Indonesia, Singapore partner to develop startups

    Local co-working space EV Hive is collaborating with Singapore’s working space BASH to provide places for startups from both countries to develop and thrive. These spaces with assist startups with business development and funding.

    “Regional companies based in Singapore can use EV Hive as a launch pad to the Indonesia market. Indonesia companies can use BASH as a stepping stone to access the regional stage,” said Willson Cuaca, managing partner of Singapore-based venture capital firm East Ventures, during the launch of the collaborative project on Tuesday. East Ventures manages EV Hive.

    Startups at the later stage (series B and above) of development can leverage support from EDBI, the global investment arm of the Singapore Economic Development Board.

    East Ventures, BASH management or SGInnovate, a development body wholly owned by the Singapore government, will work on more programs to expand talent, markets and knowledge-sharing for the customers of both co-working spaces.

    EV Hive currently manages two co-working spaces in South Jakarta and one in the Breeze mall in Banten. It plans to reach seven offices by the end of the year.

    EV Hive has facilitated the development of 36 startups, six of which are Singaporean.

    BASH, meanwhile, manages an integrated startup space in Singapore.

  • 7-Eleven sold as business declines

    7-Eleven sold as business declines

    Retail operator PT Modern Sevel Indonesia (MSI) plans to sell its 7-Eleven convenience stores for Rp 1 trillion (US$75.24 million) to PT Charoen Pokphand Restu Indonesia (CPRI), a business entity of PT Charoen Pokphand Indonesia (CPI).

    According to information from the Indonesian Stocks Exchange (IDX) published on April 21, the transaction agreement was made on April 19.

    Under the deal, CPRI agrees to take over the business activities of MSI – mini-restaurants (resto) and convenience stores – as well as assets that use the franchise system.

    The transaction, which is scheduled for June 30, is worth Rp 1 trillion, pending approval from various parties including the Trade Ministry and Financial Service Authority (OJK), shareholders, board of commissioners and 7-Eleven Inc., the owner of the brand, CPI president director Tjiu Thomas Effendy wrote in his letter to IDX’s registration director.

    “MSI and CPRI have settled various issues related to the planned transaction,” said Tjiu.

    The 7-Eleven chain of convenience stores and mini restaurants are popular among young people as most of the outlets remain open for 24 hours. However, sales have been on the decline as most customer come to enjoy the store’s free Internet and chat with their friends.

    Other local retailers like Alfa Mart and Indomart have also opened mini resto in their outlets in recent months.

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  • Indonesia`s exports of textile and textile products growing

    Indonesia`s exports of textile and textile products growing

    Indonesias exports of textile and textile products (TPT) were valued at US$2 billion in the first two months of this year or 3 percent higher than in the same period last year.

    “TPT industry is a labor industry providing jobs for around 3 million people that it could serve as a social safety net,” Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said in a statement received here on Monday.

    Airlangga said in 2016 investment in TPT industry was worth Rp7.54 trillion with exports valued at US$11.87 billion employing 17.03 percent of workers in the manufacturing sector.

    The minister said he was optimistic the countrys TPT industry could compete well globally especially as the industry has been integrated from upstream to downstream sectors.

    The minister, however, said the industry needs revitalization as the majority of factories now use old machines especially weaving and knitting factories. The machines need replacement as they are no longer efficient .

    “Revitalization, we have begun by using new machines and equipment has shown positive result , but the program has to be continued,” he said.

    In addition, economic policy packages already issued by the government should be utilized by TPT industrialists by increasing investment, otherwise, in five years, the countrys TPT industry would find it more difficult to face competition such as from India, China, Vietnam and Bangladesh, he said.

    He said currently the Industry Ministry is preparing a special regulation on fiscal incentive in the form of fiscal allowance for export oriented labor intensive industry. Industrialists will have income tax discount to be used for business expansion, he added.

    He said the Industry Ministry is seeking comprehensive cooperation agreement with Europe and the United States in the hope of benefit in the form of better tax facility.

    He said small industries would also be facilitated to boost exports.

    Director General of Chemical, Textile and Multifarious Industries Achmad Sigit Dwiwahjono said imports of cloth are also a challenge hampering investment in TPT industry. The Industry Ministry, therefore, is teaming up with the trade Ministry to curb textile imports to protect the country TPT industry.

    In addition, the Industry Ministry encourages investment in the upstream sector to back up the domestic textile industry, Sigit said.

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  • Google Play Indonesia Games Contest announces winners

    Google Play Indonesia Games Contest announces winners

    Google on April 26 announces the winners of the Google Play Indonesia Games Contest in Jakarta. Hundreds of entries from local Indonesian developers were submitted to this competition which celebrates the spirit and great potential of local game developers.

    The 15 finalists were invited to showcase their submissions at this offline gaming expo for industry experts, Google executives and gaming enthusiasts from across Indonesia, giving them a chance to get their games noticed by the right audience.

    Before announcing the winners, the audience heard from the panel of expert judges about just how important this type of event is when it comes to nurturing developers. The audience then participated in interactive live voting to choose the winners.

    The top three winners are Warung Chain: Go Food Express followed by Tahu Bulat and Vimala: Defense Warlords.

    All three winners were given an Android TV set with 4K resolution.

    Warung Chain: Go Food Express will also be featured in an Android Developer Story video produced by Google Play and promoted on Android Developer / Play Developer channels.

    The goal of the first Indonesia Games Contest was to help nurture the local gaming ecosystem. Google Play believes that with the right support, Indonesia’s talented game developers have the potential to build even more successful businesses and enter the top ranks of game developers globally.

    Google Play Indonesia head of Business Development David Yin says, “We believe that more Indonesian developers have the talent and the drive to break into the global market and make it to the top ranks.

    “I see first-hand how much promising talent there is in Indonesia and we are committed to helping developers of all sizes get discovered and reaching gaming enthusiasts locally and globally.”

    Google Play provides developers with access to more than one billion users worldwide. The Google Play Games Contest is an initiative by Google to help Indonesian developers develop, grow, and earn in the global market.

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