Indonesian crude palm oil (CPO) producers have released good corporate earnings over the first nine months of 2014. Below, we have presented an overview of those CPO producers, listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, that have already released their financial results. Combined, these eleven companies recorded net profit growth of 155.3 percent year-on-year (y/y). The main reason for this improved performance was the 24 percent (average) increase in global CPO prices as the commodity gained popularity as an energy source.

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The European Union (EU) and Indonesia’s Trade Ministry have cooperated to develop an online portal (www.inatrims.kemendag.go.id/en) in an effort to assist Indonesian businesses that want to export their products to the European Union. This portal website is intended to guide exporting companies by providing various information on relevant market requirements and regulations. The portal - called Indonesia Technical Regulations Information Management System (INATRIMS) - was launched on Thursday (28/08).

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Indonesia's tighter coal export policy, originally scheduled to be implemented on 1 September 2014 has been delayed one month. Director General for Coal and Mineral Resources at the Ministry for Energy and Mineral Resources, R. Sukhyar, explained that this delay does not mean that the policy will be changed. Indonesian coal miners still need to obtain a ‘listed exporter’ status (Eksportir Terdaftar, ET) from the ministry to export coal. The new rule applies to miners that hold Coal Contracts of Work (PKP2B) and Mining Business Permits (IUP).

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Apart from the traditional earnings originating from the export of coal, crude palm oil (CPO) as well as income from the tourism sector, Indonesia aims to increase foreign exchange earnings through boosting exports of cars and automotive parts. The Indonesian Trade Ministry said that it expects the value of exported cars and components to rise to USD $4.8 billion in 2014, a 10 percentage point growth from the USD $4.4 billion worth of earnings recorded in 2013 as Indonesian car producers have been boosting sales abroad.

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The national automotive industry of Indonesia recorded export growth of 10.4 percent in the first quarter of 2014 (year-on-year). Statistics Indonesia said that exports in the automotive industry (which includes automobiles and motorcycles) were worth USD $1.27 billion in the first three months of the year, compared to USD $1.15 billion in the same period in 2013. However, the automotive industry of Indonesia only contributes 3.49 percent to the country's total non-oil & gas exports.

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Bayu Krisnamurthi, Indonesian Deputy Trade Minister, expects that domestic consumption will rise by approximately 40 percent during the holy Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, which starts on 28 June 2014, and subsequent Idul Fitri (Lebaran) celebrations. Traditionally, this period of festivities brings along inflationary pressures as consumers spend more money on food, transportation, clothes and souvenirs. Moreover, Krisnamurthi stated that the center of consumption will shift to the regions.

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On Monday (09/12), the government of Indonesia outlined the long-awaited extension of its economic policy package that was released in August 2013. This extension involves new fiscal policies, aimed at reducing imports and supporting exports, that will be implemented at the start of 2014. An improving global economy in combination with the government's August package and yesterday's extension package is expected to reduce Indonesia's wide current account deficit to a sustainable level of below 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

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In order to improve the country's trade balance (particularly to curb the large current account deficit), the government of Indonesia will raise income tax on imported products through the issuance of a new ministerial regulation (issued by the Finance Ministry). Currently, there are two income tax tariffs on imported goods (see below). According to Finance Minister Chatib Basri, goods that will fall under the new regulation are consumption goods (except for food products). The new income tax tariff is expected to be implemented next week.

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The government of Indonesia is concerned that the trade deficit in the oil and gas sector that was posted in the first six months of 2013, will continue in the second half of the year and will also disturb the trade balance in 2014. Indonesia's oil and gas sector posted a deficit in Semester I-2013 of USD $5.82 billion, while the non-oil and gas sector posted an USD $2.51 billion surplus. Minister of Trade Gita Wirjawan believes that Indonesia's trade deficit may reach beyond USD $5 to $6 billion this year.

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