President Obama’s Visit to Indonesia: Putting the Country on the Map

From Brookings.edu

President Obama’s visit to Indonesia is not only personal but political. He will have the opportunity to visit the home where he lived as a young boy and the primary school he attended and learned the local language. None of the other 43 American presidents have had this kind of exposure to a non-Western country.

One of the president’s political objectives for this trip is to raise Indonesia’s global profile.

Many Americans underestimate the significance of Indonesia—often described as the most important country in the world that people know the least about. With 230 million inhabitants, it is the fourth most populous nation after China, India, and the United States. Eleven years ago, it began an impressive transition from 30 years of authoritarian rule by former President Soeharto to become arguably the most democratic country in all of East and Southeast Asia. What makes the transition all the more remarkable is that about 85 percent of Indonesia’s citizens are Muslim, showing how democratic values and Islamic beliefs can combine to build a “just and prosperous society,” the main societal goal specified in the Indonesian constitution.

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Indonesia’s GDP beats forecasts

From FT.com

Indonesia on Wednesday announced better than expected figures for 2009 growth in gross domestic product, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the G20 group of nations.

Indonesia posted 4.5 per cent annual GDP growth for 2009, down from 6.1 per cent in 2008. Fourth-quarter growth was 5.4 per cent year-on-year, the fastest level since the third quarter of 2008. The economy has held convincingly on to positive ground throughout the financial crisis and seen growth accelerate in the fourth quarter.

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Climate Conference a Winner for Indonesia: Official

From the Jakarta Globe.com

While last week’s Copenhagen climate talks may have been considered as a lost opportunity to reach a binding agreement to slow down global warming, Indonesia stands to gain more than it bargained for, Rachmat Witoelar, executive chair of the National Council on Climate Change, said on Wednesday.

“[The conference] was not a failure and Indonesia was satisfied with the accord because it reflected our five major demands, as delivered officially by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,” Rachmat said. He was referring to the president’s speech at the convention in which he demanded a strong commitment to reduce emissions, significant funding from developed countries and the continuation of the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) scheme.

Rachmat said there was still time for the accord to be transformed into a legally binding agreement at next year’s climate talks, which are expected to be held in Mexico.

“The agreement, however, is morally binding and Indonesia still has the chance to play a more significant role with our middle-ground solutions,” he said.

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Four foreign countries interested to take part in Indonesia's power development: official

From Xhinhuanet.com

Prominent power firm and lenders from Russia, Japan, Kuwait and Germany have pledged their interests to take part in Indonesia's huge power plant projects expected to commence next year, a local media report said Saturday.

Fahmi Mohtar, Director of Indonesian state-run power firm, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), conveyed that he had received representatives of those power firms who conveyed their interests, according to the Detik.com.

The Russian power firm, United Energy System of Russia (RAO UES), wanted to take part in the construction of Indonesia's hydropower plants, coal-fired power plants and geothermal power plants, Fahmi was quoted as saying.

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Indonesia To Provide Tax Refund For Foreign Visitors

From Bernama.com

The Indonesian government will provide tax refund for foreign visitors to purchase goods from April next year, an official said here Tuesday, reports China's Xinhua news agency.

The visitors can have the refund when leaving from Soekarno Hatta Airport in Jakarta and Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, said Djoko Slamet Surjoputro, director of Public Relations with the tax office.

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