https://www.scmp.com/rss/315252/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com For the first time in decades, Indonesia’s original national flag was paraded to the presidential palace on Wednesday, to mark the country’s independence day holiday. The flag, which is popularly known as “bendera pusaka”, or “sacred flag”, was paraded from Merdeka (Freedom) Square, the location of the National Monument, which symbolises the fight for independence, to the Merdeka Presidential Palace, where the annual independence day ceremony, led by President Joko Widodo, was taking... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2005095/indonesias-original-national-flag-paraded-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2005095/indonesias-original-national-flag-paraded-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Aug 2016 06:14:13 +0000 Hong Kong and Indonesia have long enjoyed healthy trade and economic ties, and their relationship was strengthened earlier this year with the signing of an agreement to increase co-operation. In April, Nus Nuzulia Ishak, director general of Indonesia's National Export Development, and Benjamin Chau, deputy director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), signed a joint statement in conjunction with the Hong Kong International Gifts and Premium Fair. "The signing of this joint... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576088/building-stronger-trade-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576088/building-stronger-trade-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 08:49:30 +0000 The Indonesian National Accreditation Agency for Higher Education, known as BAN-PT, has certified Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) with an "A" or excellent accreditation for its strong institutional management. One of BAN-PT's significant considerations is the university's internationalisation activities showcasing UMM as a "local university with an international touch". UMM's internationalisation goals are divided into four phases: awareness creation adopted from 2004 to 2008,... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576082/sublime-roots-make-umm-premier-study-destination?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576082/sublime-roots-make-umm-premier-study-destination?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 08:45:12 +0000 Leading financial services provider Federal International Finance (FIF) Group celebrated its 25th anniversary last May on the back of Indonesia's strong position as Southeast Asia's largest economy with improved credit ratings, rising foreign direct investment and growing consumer spending. The introduction of low-cost green cars in the country and an expanding middle class have propelled the company towards car financing, a service that augments its reputation as one of Indonesia's largest... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576080/fif-group-builds-better-future-through-financing-services?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576080/fif-group-builds-better-future-through-financing-services?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 08:43:12 +0000 With the world's fourth-largest population at 250 million, and only half the average global motorisation density rate at 77 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants, Indonesia is a goldmine for vehicle manufacturers. To take advantage of this opportunity, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have nearly doubled their production capacities from 2010 to last year alone. This aggressive expansion would not have been possible without the support of local vehicle component manufacturers such as Astra... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576075/astra-otoparts-drives-quality-vehicle-industry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576075/astra-otoparts-drives-quality-vehicle-industry?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 08:37:05 +0000 Indonesia is a crucial market for insurance companies. Given the low insurance penetration rate in the country - 1.2 per cent as of 2012 - there is a great deal of untapped potential in the insurance sector. As Indonesia's growing middle class gains more disposable income, the sector is forecast to flourish alongside government and private initiatives to promote the benefits of insurance for long-term security. Avrist Assurance takes an active role in educating the market through multiple... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576072/education-key-capturing-insurance-market-share?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576072/education-key-capturing-insurance-market-share?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 08:34:46 +0000 A clear-cut vision to become a total solutions provider made ACSET INDONUSA what it is today: a reliable firm ready to tackle the most challenging construction projects. Since its establishment in 1995, ACSET has built competence across all areas of construction, functioning as a specialist and general contractor. With its extensive experience, ACSET continues to take construction to greater heights, showcasing strengths in foundation specialist work, general building work and civil... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576071/acset-lays-strong-foundation-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576071/acset-lays-strong-foundation-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 08:25:45 +0000 Caputra Group has pursued big dreams since it started its steel fabrication business in 1971. Backed by good corporate governance, the Indonesian conglomerate has since diversified into bridge construction, shipyards, shipbuilding and marine tourism. "We see Indonesia as a maritime nation that needs a lot of infrastructure, which is why we strive to build something meaningful for our country," says Heru Pramono, founder of Caputra Group, and president and director of Caputra Group's steel... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576068/caputra-group-diversifies-maritime-businesses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576068/caputra-group-diversifies-maritime-businesses?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 08:22:43 +0000 Indonesia's unprecedented domestic growth and the high influx of foreign direct investments have put a trade spotlight on the country. Sharing in the limelight of this exciting development is the logistics sector, which is one of the barometers of the archipelago's industry activity. "Indonesia's progress is clearly visible in the expansion of its manufacturing output and export orders in recent years," says Asok Kumar, CEO of Schenker Petrolog Utama. The logistics company represents the... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576067/db-schenker-connects-archipelago-more-17000-islands?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576067/db-schenker-connects-archipelago-more-17000-islands?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 08:20:29 +0000 Mitsubishi, Hino and Isuzu, among Japan's biggest car and heavy-duty vehicle brands, have embodied the highest levels of quality in the industry for decades. Interestingly, these brands rely on an Indonesian company for springs that meet their discriminating standards of quality, cost and delivery (QCD). With unflinching adherence to stringent QCD guidelines, Indospring has earned the trust of companies whose main selling point is quality. "We have proven to be a reliable partner and we prepare... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576065/quality-lifts-oem-partner-indospring-greater-heights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576065/quality-lifts-oem-partner-indospring-greater-heights?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 08:18:02 +0000 In a span of four years, Billy Dahlan, president and CEO of family-owned Dafam Group, has taken giant strides and grown the company into a diversified hospitality management and property development group. "In 2010, we saw enormous market prospects for economic and mid-scale hotels in Indonesia," Dahlan says. "We initially focused on second-tier cities, like Semarang and Pekalongan, where there is potential left untapped by major hotel operators." Dafam started with two properties in 2010 -... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576026/dafam-takes-giant-strides-hospitality-property-development?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576026/dafam-takes-giant-strides-hospitality-property-development?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 06:53:06 +0000 The life sciences pose vast opportunities for Indonesia to derive economic value from its position as a biodiversity hot spot. This is the premise for setting up Indonesia International Institute for Life Sciences or i3L, the country's first research institute in the life sciences, as part of bilateral ties with Sweden. "Biodiversity has been identified as one of Indonesia's assets but it has never been monetised, so we're starting a process of systematically building up innovation capacity and... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576025/opportunities-life-sciences-grow-i3l?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576025/opportunities-life-sciences-grow-i3l?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 06:46:53 +0000 Indonesia's rise as an economic destination in Southeast Asia calls for similar progress in local management skills to engage the global market. "The international flavour of higher education is needed nowadays because our graduates must be ready for global exposure," says Yennah Winata, CEO of IPMI International Business School. IPMI stepped up to the plate in 1984 as the Indonesian government began wide-ranging deregulation. Applying the business case learning approach, it pioneered business... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576022/ipmi-hub-asian-business-education?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576022/ipmi-hub-asian-business-education?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 06:45:04 +0000 Indonesia's construction industry is forecast to post an average annual growth of more than 6 per cent over the decade, according to the Global Construction 2025 report. Fuelling the industry's growth are the influx of foreign and local investments and the government's programme to transform Indonesia into a developed nation by 2025. With its expertise in steel bars, Bhirawa Steel is in a prime position to partner with local and international companies looking to participate in the burgeoning... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576021/bhirawa-steel-combines-innovation-and-action?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576021/bhirawa-steel-combines-innovation-and-action?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 06:43:01 +0000 Indonesia's policy on fertiliser subsidy lays the groundwork for self-sufficiency in rice production and major staple crops. Promoting the country's food security programme, state fertiliser producer Pupuk Kujang (PK) supports the agricultural and petrochemical industries in West Java, Indonesia's national granary. "We seek to improve the quality and quantity of West Java's crops production by ensuring an adequate supply of fertilisers," says president Bambang Tjahjono. A subsidiary of... https://www.scmp.com/article/1576011/pupuk-kuj-ang-upholds-commitment-promote-food-security?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1576011/pupuk-kuj-ang-upholds-commitment-promote-food-security?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 06:24:04 +0000 As the largest economy in Asean, Indonesia plays a crucial role in developing the logistics sector to maintain Asean's competitiveness in the global market. Supporting the country's move to ease and professionalise the flow of goods, particularly bulk shipments to and from Indonesia, Krakatau Bandar Samudera (KBS) manages the Port of Cigading and provides specialised port-centric services to Asia's buoyant logistics market. Having the deepest port in Indonesia that is connected to toll and rail... https://www.scmp.com/article/1575966/port-centric-logistics-company-bolsters-trade-asean?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1575966/port-centric-logistics-company-bolsters-trade-asean?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 04:22:16 +0000 What construction, factories and almost all industries have in common is that none can exist without the iron and steel industry. Joint-venture steelmaker KRAKATAU POSCO has thereby made it a goal to provide Indonesia's technology-based sectors with premium-quality, clean steel slabs and plates. KRAKATAU POSCO is 70 per cent owned by South Korean firm POSCO, one of the world's largest steelmakers, and 30 per cent by Indonesia's state-owned steelmaker, Krakatau Steel. POSCO's arrival in Indonesia... https://www.scmp.com/article/1575958/krakatau-posco-puts-premium-steelmaking-excellence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1575958/krakatau-posco-puts-premium-steelmaking-excellence?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 03:59:20 +0000 Since the aftermath of the global financial crisis, banks and financial institutions have begun recognising the key role played by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in sustaining local economies. Home-grown Buana Finance attests to the resilience of SMEs amid downturns, and their part in the recovery. The financial services company benefits from the solid reputation built by its parent, Sari Dasa Karsa (SDK), the founding shareholders of Bank Buana Indonesia. The bank served Indonesia's SMEs... https://www.scmp.com/article/1575951/buana-finance-boosts-smes-amid-global-downturns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1575951/buana-finance-boosts-smes-amid-global-downturns?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 03:52:04 +0000 Ethical, transparent and fair, Islamic banking is one of the fastest-growing segments of global finance. It is also one of the biggest drivers of the banking industry in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation - and a rising sharia finance hub, following Iran, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. "Sharia-compliant banking in Indonesia is growing at an annual rate of nearly 40 per cent - a huge wave that may reshape the way Indonesians and foreign investors do banking," says Norfadelizan Abdul Rahman,... https://www.scmp.com/article/1575944/islamic-banking-crosses-borders-through-maybank-syariah?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1575944/islamic-banking-crosses-borders-through-maybank-syariah?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 03:22:04 +0000 A sturdy reputation, built on reliability and an eagerness to embrace emerging technologies and opportunities, has propelled Setia Guna Sejati from being a small machine shop in West Java to becoming a leader in the metal fabrication industry in Indonesia. Founded in 1984, the company is a leading solutions provider for the motorcycle market that has set its sights on branching out into Indonesia's automotive industry. "Our main customer now is Yamaha Motorcycles, but we're also getting into the... https://www.scmp.com/article/1575942/setia-guna-sejati-fabricates-future-auto-manufacturing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1575942/setia-guna-sejati-fabricates-future-auto-manufacturing?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 03:15:55 +0000 As Southeast Asia's biggest economy, Indonesia is a major food importer. The country, however, is seriously working toward food self-sufficiency. Ultrajaya Milk Industry & Trading contributes to this national effort as Indonesia's leading producer of premium-quality milk and beverage products. "We started as pioneers in Indonesia, and we've succeeded by being very focused on our business for more than 40 years," says Sabana Prawirawidjaja, president and director. "We have passion, we work hard,... https://www.scmp.com/article/1575935/ultraj-aya-helps-push-national-food-self-sufficiency?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1575935/ultraj-aya-helps-push-national-food-self-sufficiency?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 03:05:28 +0000 After growing a successful seed production enterprise for the past 30 years, Selektani Horticulture is branching out into genetic materials research and crop nutrition. Sowing the seeds of this business plan, the agribusiness company that took root in North Sumatra is expanding its research and technology partnerships globally, with a special interest in Taiwan. Hendro Basuki, Selektani's president, values the role played by Western companies in shaping commerce in Indonesia, particularly in... https://www.scmp.com/article/1575926/selektani-sows-research-partnerships-branches-agriscience?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1575926/selektani-sows-research-partnerships-branches-agriscience?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 02:56:16 +0000 From Aceh in the west to Papua in the east, Indonesia is the largest archipelagic state in the world. Its roughly 18,000 islands along the Indian Ocean present an intricate challenge for any logistics company. With a foothold across the whole value chain, home-grown Gama Group offers one of the most integrated and cost-effective transport solutions for companies moving their goods in and out of Indonesia. "Through an expansive network of complementary companies, we're able to deliver safe,... https://www.scmp.com/article/1575920/gama-group-offers-integrated-logistics-solutions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1575920/gama-group-offers-integrated-logistics-solutions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 02:52:16 +0000 As Asia moves towards economic integration by next year, Indonesia's textile sector gears up for an increase in textile exports in the region. To keep ahead of the competition, Argo Manunggal Textile (AMT) develops innovative textile techniques and technologies. AMT is a subsidiary of Argo Manunggal Group, a diversified business organisation holding 20 companies under its textile division. "AMT is a well-established, vertically integrated company producing only the finest-quality textiles," says... https://www.scmp.com/article/1575919/amt-weaves-partnerships-meet-overseas-textile-demands?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1575919/amt-weaves-partnerships-meet-overseas-textile-demands?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2014 02:49:16 +0000