A commonly held view of Indonesia's recent, more protectionist policy decisions (i.e. mineral export bans, beef and horticulture import restrictions, mining divestment rules) is that they are motivated by populist politics leading to the 2014 election. Followers of this view say that once the election is over, Indonesian policymaking will somehow shift back to [...]
Indonesia heads into 2013 with continuing questions for foreign companies within an overall atmosphere of solid 6% -6.5% economic growth. The blemishes --if handled well--will not take away from the rosy complexion. Those looking for stimulative reforms that would smooth the path for foreign companies may have to wait until the next Administration or look [...]
Is Mining Divestment Such a Benefit to Indonesia?Indonesia is following a worldwide trend of pushing out foreign ownership of mining assets. A March 8 Reuters story began "Indonesia will take more of the profits from its vast mineral resources by limiting foreign ownership of mines". But, is that what necessarily happens when more of the [...]
Indonesia fell smack in the middle of the Obama Administration's much ballyhooed "Asia Pivot", a wonderful image for the ramp up of engagement with Asia that it has demonstrated. The Administration is to be commended for both the symbolic and real commitments it has made to the region in general and Indonesia, specifically. One could [...]