Development of toll roads in Central Java and East Java will likely reduce economic imbalances with western part of Java. It is not a coincidence that cement consumption in Central and East Java grew 10.7% and 8% respectively in the first half of 2016, while West Java inched up 0.5% only.

The House of Representatives (DPR) has approved Rp16 trillion funding from the revised 2016 State Budget for land acquisition through the so-called State Asset Management Agency (LMAN). The agency will start to disburse the funding, including repayment of bridging finance provided by toll road developers in Sumatra and Java.

Indonesia’s export revenues grew 12.18% month-on-month last month, but down 4.42% year-on-year. Pretty much as predicted, improvement in crude oil and gas prices plus other export commodities contributed to the positive result.

State-owned oil and gas company is set to become holding company for state-owned oil and gas companies, which includes transmission and distribution company PT Perusahaan Gas Negarra (PGAS) Tbk. Draft of government regulation for the assignment of Pertamina as holding company is now in the hands of President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo.

Crude prices edged down to US$44.92 per barrel in early Asian trade on Monday to hold near two-month lows on seasonally weak consumption, despite comments from the Saudi Arabian oil minister that the oil market was becoming more balanced, Reuters reported.

Indonesia’s healthcare industry continues to attract foreign investments. The most recent is Malaysia-based Navis Capital Partners, which has recently signed an agreement to enter PT Tawada Healthcare, one of the largest medical device distributors in Indonesia, dealstreetasia.com reported.

Siba Group is one of the largest land transportation companies in Indonesia. Established 65 years ago, the group is now preparing an initial public offering (IPO) at Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). Actually Siba Group planned an IPO 20 years ago, but delayed following Asian financial crisis in 1997-1998.