What do we present in this report? First of all, as usual, we offer an update on the COVID-19 situation in Indonesia. This includes the continuously declining number of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths (allowing room for the relaxation of social and business restrictions) as well as progress booked with the national COVID-19 vaccination program.

We also zoom in on Indonesia's economic growth in the third quarter of 2021. Unfortunately, Indonesia's official Q3-2021 GDP data were released when this report was already completed (Indonesia's economy officially having expanded 3.51 percent y/y in Q3-2021). In this report we discuss a number of key macro-economic indicators that indeed point at mediocre economic growth in Q3-2021.

Another topic is infrastructure development in Indonesia, with particularly the high-speed Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail link being in the spotlight. As usual, this project encountered trouble (and not only due to the COVID-19 crisis). And so, there is a serious delay (around two years) but also is the project much more expensive than initially calculated (even to the point that the central government's State Budget needs to carry a bit of the burden).



Also cryptocurrencies are discussed, with particular attention to how Indonesia's financial regulators deal with crypto assets. For now, payments in cryptocurrencies are not allowed. However, trade and investment is being facilitated.

And, considering coal prices have been soaring over the past year or so (on the back of rising demand even from countries in the West), we also devote an article to this dirty fossil fuel. Despite the world aiming to become dependent on renewable energy sources, it is highly likely that coal will remain a crucial energy source in the decades ahead (particularly in Asian developing countries such as Indonesia).

In the 'update section' we offer various updates on macroeconomic indicators such as the consumer price index (inflation), manufacturing activity, and Indonesia's trade performance. Also do we add a story on the Formula E race that is scheduled to be organized by Jakarta on 4 June 2022.

Take a glance inside the report here!

The October 2021 report can be ordered by sending an email to [email protected] or a message to +62.882.9875.1125 (including WhatsApp).

Price of this (electronic) report:

Rp 150,000
USD $10,-
EUR €10,-

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