We have no idea when the pandemic will be over, so the government’s decision to proceed with physical construction of major infrastructure projects should be appreciated. Most of the projects pointed to significant progress during the pandemic. They will eventually help the country, including its tourism industry, to recover once the pandemic is over.

Coordinating minister for maritime and investment affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan sets an ambitious target of US$30 billion export value from iron and steel in 2024, doubled from the 2021 target (between US$13 billion and US$15 billion). “Exclusive of (export revenues from) lithium battery,” he said on Tuesday (Sep 15).

K.R.S Corporation, Japan’s leading cold chain operator, is expanding its business in Indonesia through acquisition of local cold chain company, which owns three cold storages and over 500 fleets, generators, and trucking.

The state airport management company Angkasa Pura I has officially invited strategic partners to develop Lombok-Praya International Airport (LOP) in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province, where the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is being developed. Despite corrections in 2019 and this year (due to the Covid-19 outbreak), the airport is set grow faster in the medium-long term.

Kimberly-Clark is not a new player in Indonesian diaper market. It is in the market with popular brands like Kotex and Huggies. Competition, however, is tough with other global players including Procter and Gamble (Pampers), Uni-Charm, Kao Corp (Laurier), and various brands from PT Softex Indonesia (Softex, Sweety, Confidence, etc). 

PT Pertamina (Persero) is attempting to secure a US$ 3 billion loan to support its acquisition of several assets. Global Capital reported that Pertamina is targeting a loan from six banks: BNP Paribas, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Group, MUFG Bank, CITI, Credit Agricole, and Societe Generale.

PT Unggul Indah Cahaya Tbk (UNIC), the only domestic manufacturer of linear alkyl benzene (LAB), key raw material in the production of soap and detergents, is one of few petrochemical companies benefited from the strict implementation of health protocols to contain Covid-19 outbreak. 

PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk have commenced operation of its new methyl ter-butyl ether (MTBE) and butene-1 (B1) plants, first of their kind in Indonesia. Construction of both plants were completed amidst the ongoing pandemic to significantly reduce reliance on import. The MTBE has design capacity of 128,000 tons per annum, while B1 has 43,000 tons per annum. 

The Rokan Block is undergoing a management transition from Chevron Pacific Indonesia (PT CPI) to PT Pertamina. It is being thoroughly evaluated. Included in the process is an environmental audit. The Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) has confirmed that the Rokan Block environmental audit was completed in August 2020.