MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) plans to issue its inaugural Clean Energy Bond to support its clean energy projects in Asia and the Pacific.

The Clean Energy Bond is expected to have four tranches, one each denominated in Australian dollars and Turkish lira and two tranches in Brazilian real. It will carry tenors of between 4 and 7 years and will be issued in September. ADB will provide assistance to clean energy projects in an amount at least equal to the amount raised by the Clean Energy Bond.

Read the full news release.

Source : www.adb.org

In Working Meeting (Meeting) between Commission VII of the Parliament and Government with the agenda sub Determination of Macro Assumptions RUAPBN Oil and Gas Sector in 2011, set the Indonesia Crude Oil (ICP) for USD 80. ICP mass is the result of government projections by using a formula that refers to the publication of Indonesian crude oil price in international market.

“The price of Indonesian crude oil consists of 49 species, where only some of which are traded overseas. Therefore, ICP is used in determining the formula that refers to the publication of Indonesian crude oil price in international trade, among others, RIM and Platts “, said Director General of Oil and Gas, Evita H. Legowo in Meeting with Commission VII of the House of Representatives Thursday (2 / 9) then.

Moreover, continued Evita Indonesia in projecting oil prices are also used reference projections from several international references, among others, Short Term Energy Outlook International Energy Administration (US-DOE), and Reuters survey forecast the Centre for Global Energy Studies 23 Agsutus publishing.

Short Term Energy Outlook International Energy Administration (US-DOE) projected WTI prices in 2011 amounted to USD 83.50/bbl. Reuter Survey for 24 market participants and banks that conduct transactions projected oil prices for WTI crude in 2011 ranged from U.S. $ 60/bbl to 102.6/bbl and to Brent at around USD 60/bbl to $ 100/bbl. Furthermore, based Centre for Global Energy Studies estimates that the publication of August 23 2011 Brent oil price of USD 64.3-96/bbl.

Meanwhile, Indonesian crude oil prices in the past year was USD 2/bbl. Below average WTI, continued Evita.

By considering the references are then estimated average price of Indonesian crude miynak in 2011 ranged from USD 75 to 90/bbl. (SF)

After experiencing Turn Around (TA) or routine maintenance for a month, Pertamina Refinery Unit IV / Cilacap refinery is now fully operational to be ready to supply the increasing demand of passengers and fuel during Lebaran backflow.

Cilacap refinery with a processing capacity of 248 000 barrels per day oil refinery is the largest producer of petroleum in the ground water. The resulting fuel supply to the area of Bandung, Tasik, along the south line of Java, Yogyakarta and Boyolali all of which flowed through the pipes. This refinery also supplies fuel demand in the area of Tegal, Purwokerto, and some areas in north central Java path. It is known that most passengers on Premium needs a sharp increase from 63 500 kilo liters (KL) per day to 96 000 KL per day.

At the Cilacap refinery maintenance was performed on a number of units at the refinery complex, ie units Utilities, Fuel Oil Complex (FOC) II and Paraxylene. While the FOC I’ve had maintenance in 2008, so the TA conducted on schedule last month, FOC I remain operational and can still supply the fuel.

On schedule, the TA is scheduled for approximately 30 days beginning on July 1, 2010 and was completed on July 31, 2010. Currently, all units are experiencing maintenance was back in operation.

Cilacap refinery is one of six units of Pertamina’s refinery in the ground water that is very strategic because it supplies the fuel needs of 34% or 60% of national fuel demand in this Jawa.Kilang Island is the only refinery in the country is currently producing bitumen and base oil for infrastructure development needs in the homeland.

Broadly speaking, Cilacap refinery was divided into three major units, namely oil refinery I (FOC I), Oil Refinery II (FOC II) and refinery Paraxylene. FOC First built in 1974 with initial capacity of 100,000 barrels / day and then increased through debottlenecking project to be 118 000 barrels / day.

FOC I is designed to process raw crude oil from the Middle East, with the purpose other than to get fuel at once to get the non fuel products such as lubricating oil base material (lube oil base) and asphalt. Processing oil from the Middle East aims to be able to produce lubricant base material and asphalt.

Along with the growing need, Pertamina FOC II was built in 1981 and began operations in 1983 with a capacity of 200 000 barrels / day. Then in 1998/1999, the capacity of FOC II again increased to 230 000 barrels / day. This refinery to process oil “cocktail” that is a mixture of oil, not only from within the country also imported from abroad. (SF)

Deputy Transportation Minister Bambang Susantono states, the path along the five kilometers in circumference Nagreg, which connects with the Garut district of  Bandung Regency is ready to use public transportation during Lebaran 2010 (1431 H) of this.

However, Bambang asked to Affair in West Java to complete with traffic signs at various points and corners. While the users are requested to remain cautious, especially on the ramp after a railroad, because the uphill road conditions with a fairly steep angle.

Vice Minister Bambang Susantono who accompanied the Ministry of Transportation Directorate General of Land Perhungan Suroyo Alimoeso and Head of Department of Transportation Dicky Saromi Porpinsi West Java, Saturday (04/09) conduct inspections to Nagreg ring road. The purpose and goal is to see directly the readiness of the line is well tested path.

”In principle, this path is ready for use as a point in the flow or reverse flow back and forth on this Lebaran 2010. However, there are currents in the fix and is equipped, especially the traffic signs whose numbers are still very minimal,”Bambang said after trying that route.

After trying to own the new lines, new paving Wamenhub said that although a single layer, but the road is flat and does not cause shock. ”I have asked the Transportation Department in west Java to immediately install traffic signs to others, especially in a number of fairly sharp corners,”said an immediate Wamenhub affordable Jabar Head of Department of Transportation.

Not rapihnya curb form cliffs and the red soil is also a concern Wamenhub. Possibility of landslides on the left and right walls should also be given special attention, considering expected during Lebaran transport of high rainfall will be enough. Which must in order to try is always a dry road. Because if the streets were inundated while still very low lighting conditions, it is very dangerous to road users.

Besides the lack of traffic signs that are available, Wamenhub also reminded to immediately add roadway lighting. Under the new monitoring currently available www.dephub.go.id two warning light that is placed about 200 meters from the bridge and around the bridge Citiis Ciherang.

While lighting is installed with a new solar cell technology in the five points are in areas considered vulnerable, and require adequate lighting. ”This amount is not sufficient for new areas in the open. I have also asked the Head of Department of Transportation to add back Jabar roadway lighting,”said Bambang.

Solar Cell Technology is perceived as the right technology for today, remember this point there is no electricity. Understandably this new path Nagreg circumference was once a hill by local people planted cassava, beans and corn. Because of the lack of electricity also, later on the left and right side will be mounted spotlight with using diesel power. Spotlight is very necessary because there are some parts of the left or right side of a ravine. When not given the spotlight is very dangerous to motorists who drove his vehicle in this lane at night.

Floodlights will also be prepared at the post near the ramp, to illuminate the road around the hill. Aside from being a torch as well as markers that are no posts in the area officer who is ready to assist road users.

One of the things that need to get the attention of road users on the path to it is the slope angle is still fairly steep slope that is 14%. This slope was still lower than those in jalaur Nagreg ie with a slope of 18%. But considering this line are new, particularly motorists who are old cars or car transport truck with a weight should beware.

Narrowness of this point to make motorists should not drive their vehicles quickly. Yes safest around 40-60 kilometers per hour.

In the trial yesterday there was one vehicle, the Mitsubishi Colt T 120 SS with a police number 8373 TD D carrying rice from the direction of Garut could not climb and stopped. Similarly, one forced Jimny cars were underpinned by the officers to get past the steep incline.

Director General of Land Transportation Suroyo Alimoeso say, this area is quite prone to older vehicles or vehicles with heavy loads. For that he reminds motorists to use a tooth gears. ”If late pass from the bottom, I fear these vehicles can not climb past it,”said Suroyo saying will melengapi with billboards warning “Use your teeth first”

This 14-degree incline by Suroyo will be back in trim after the feedback ended. After Lebaran, this track will be back in tuup and ascent is still 14 degrees this position will be broken down again and changed to 8 degrees.

Anticipate the occurrence of congestion as a result of the stalled car on the ramp, Wamenhub ask that in these locations prepare a car in tow and service the car, in anticipation of a vehicle when there is a problem. In addition, should also be placed officers who can move fast or Timm response is always standby in those locations. (BRD / Team)

Source : www.dephub.go.id

Head of Policy Institute for Procurement Government (LKPP) Agus Rahardjo said absorption LKPP budget to 4 September 2010 has reached 40% of the cap in 2010 amounted to Rp110 billion.

“As of today, the absorption LKKP budget has reached about 40%,” said Agus in the socialization of regulation 54 Year 2010 concerning Procurement Government in Cikarang, Bekasi West Java, Saturday (4 / 9).

He explained LKPP budget ceiling for the fiscal year amounted to Rp110 billion 2010adalah. Budget amounting to 40% absorption is the absorption in the form of finance. While the absorption in physical form has reached 44% of the 2010 budget ceiling. Absorption of low budget given the current has entered the second half of Fiscal Year 2010. But keep in mind, such as low absorption of new LKPP DIPA was approved in April 2010, “he explained.

He appealed to all government agencies can more quickly realize the absorption of its budget, because it has no legal umbrella in the acceleration of absorption of the budget. According to him, Presidential 54 Year 2010 published with the intention that each agency can better start doing procurement and conduct an auction for goods / services the government before the next budget year. Thus, the auction process procurement earlier government could avoid the slow absorption of the budget.

“During this budget very slow absorption and absorption is common in the third quarter. The issuance of Presidential Regulation 54/2010 will be a legal umbrella in the acceleration of absorption of the budget, “he said. (T.Ia / Dry)

Source : www.depkominfo.go.id

Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo said the number of Idul Fitri travelers this year amounted to 2.2 million people predicted.

This was conveyed during review activities scheduled to Pulo Gadung forth in station, Saturday (4 / 9). According to him, transport conditions are relatively better year than previous years. However, for convenience of travelers could be reached, do not need to overcrowding, he said.

From the observation in the field, the situation in Pulo Gadung already crowded with travelers, so that the road leading to the terminal macet.Banyak transport in the city, including the Trans Jakarta bus terminal could not enter or quit a mile outside the terminal. Halini make a lot of disappointed passengers, because at the time they run fast, is forced to walk the distance yangcukup far.

Responding to various shortcomings in the ministry, the governor said it was still trying to make improvements in station-terminal. Among others in Terminal Pulo Gadung, Kampung Rambutan, Lebak Bulus, termasuki railway station. Repair it by increasing the number of buses, where the service is best tickets, terminals and clean toilets, a special place baikpenyandang disabled, nursing mothers and elderly people, said FauziBowo.

Besides, he added, to the terminal and the main station, provided Posko Health, Red Cross and mobile patrols.

Governor added their biggest travelers who use air transportation modes, ie, reaching 900,000. For air transport is relatively more smoothly. Party belummelakukan menambahan flight operators, because they still can served with regular flights.

At Soekarno Hatta Airport, based on information Lebaran post Last post in the Ministry of Transportation, passenger 5% higher than in the same day in the year 2009. Crowded passenger, in addition to the approach of Idul Fitri, also coincides the school holidays. Meanwhile, the monitoring via CCTV Fitri post, in the port of Merak Ferry still looks empty. (Mf / Dry)

Source : www.depkominfo.go.id

Source: Jakarta Globe

Desi Anwar | September 03, 2010

I attended Dino Patti Djalal’s farewell gathering this past week. He and his lovely wife, Rosa, are soon off to Washington, DC, where Dino will serve as Indonesia’s ambassador to the United States, and I can’t contain my sense of pride that we have him to represent us in the world’s most powerful nation.

It is not only because he is probably the youngest Indonesian ambassador ever to fill such an important position or because he speaks so eloquently — though these are useful tools in the world of diplomacy — but mainly because I think he and Rosa are the ideal faces to represent our country on the international stage.

Modern, intelligent, open-minded and optimistic, they embody the best of Indonesia, and I hope their presence in Washington will reinforce America’s view of this country as a modern, dynamic and moderate nation that can play a significant role in global politics that are increasingly marked by religious extremism and a growing divisiveness.

Indeed, Indonesia’s image can only benefit from the couple’s energy, confidence, affability and the ease with which they move in international settings. I don’t doubt for a minute they will work hard to raise the country’s profile and improve America’s understanding of Indonesia as more than a place where natural disasters occur and terrorists breed.

My concern, however, is what happens when they actually succeed in promoting Indonesia as a young, vibrant and modern country with endless potential and enormous resources that is ready to take on the world, when in fact we are anything but. The image that we project — in the reassuring posture of our president as he struts the world stage, in the smart and indomitable spirit of former Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and soon in the genial and energetic figure of our young ambassador — has little correlation with the reality behind the brand that is Indonesia.

Dino’s farewell speech reflected this concern. Even as he is optimistic about the path ahead and where the country is going, the fact is that Indonesia is at a crossroads, pulled between the desire to progress and embrace modernity and the inclination to retreat into conservatism and orthodoxy. Between a nationalism that is open-minded and inclusive and one that is narrow-minded and inward looking. Between forces that are impatient to implement democratic values and those nostalgic for firm authoritarianism. Between those who wish for pluralism and those who are happier if the majority calls the shots.

It is a battle of ideas and aspirations constantly played out in discourses at all levels, fanned by a noisy and lively media and hyperactive social networks. My worry is when these battles of ideas are seized upon by the forces in power as an opportunity to turn reactionary tendencies into political tools of repression; an opportunity to transform dynamism into static orthodoxy and an insidious means to inject into the nation’s system a particular value at the expense of our collective interests.

It’s one thing when groups clash over their differences. A democracy creates room to allow for these differences, but also sets up the means for their peaceful resolution, including proper sanctions for those who impose their beliefs through destructive means. But when the government starts taking sides, whether for populist, political or religious reasons, then we are treading on dangerous ground.

When the minister of religion bans the belief of a minority group in favor of the majority, then he is in effect sanctioning intolerance and undermining the country’s pluralist principles and fundamental ideals. When the minister of information goes out of his way to limit freedom of expression and poke his nose into people’s private affairs, then he is draining the life out of the democratic system that gave him the opportunity to be where he is now.

The struggle of ideas and beliefs becomes one-sided when leaders start picking and choosing which battles they wish to champion and which they prefer to push aside. Democracy will become short-lived when legislators draw up laws based on their fear and ignorance of the very meaning of the word, preferring the comfort of a constricting world they understand to the burden of the responsibility and open-mindedness that come with freedom.

I just hope someone like Dino can convince the world we are winning our struggle to keep the country on the path of progress and democracy, that we are not regressing into backwardness and insularity. Because if other countries believe we are on the right path, then we might just believe it ourselves. Good luck.

Desi Anwar is a senior anchor and writer. She can be contacted at www.desianwar.com and www.dailyavocado.net.

Wednesday’s much-hyped Apple event has come and gone. We got a revamped iPod lineup, a smaller and cheaper Apple TV with Netflix streaming and 99-cent TV show rentals, and Ping, a social network within iTunes 10. Before Steve Jobs took the stage, however, all we had were rumors and predictions. Which ones came true and which ones were pipe dreams? Let’s take a look.

RUMORS

Report: Revamped Apple TV Will Include Netflix Streaming
Reality: Correct. Late Tuesday night, Bloomberg cited “three people with knowledge of the plans” and reported that Jobs would announce a revamped Apple TV capable of streaming content from Netflix’s Watch Instantly library. A week after Netflix added streaming support to the iPhone and iPod touch, Jobs announced that that capability will also extend to the new Apple TV when it launches later this month.

Report: Apple Working on 99-Cent TV Show Rental Service
Reality: Correct. A week before the press event, Bloomberg also reported that Apple would introduce a 99-cent TV show rental service. Jobs announced Wednesday that users will indeed be allowed to rent TV shows on the new, streaming-only Apple TV for 99 cents. Bloomberg said Apple was in talks with News Corp.’s Fox, CBS, and Walt Disney to add the companies’ content. On Wednesday, Jobs said Apple was only able to secure deals with Fox and ABC, but hoped to add more networks soon.

Report: Apple iTV, Running iOS, Coming in September for $99
Reality: Partially Correct. In late August, Digg founder Kevin Rose said in a blog post that he’d heard rumors about a revamped Apple TV, renamed iTV, which would be sold for $99 in September and run iOS. While Apple did indeed introduce a new Apple TV that will be available later this month, it was not renamed iTV. As for iOS, Apple did not specify which OS Apple TV will run. Engadget first reported the revamped Apple TV rumors (sans the iTV moniker) in May, and was correct when it said the new Apple TV would emphasize streaming over local storage.

Report: Revamped Apple ‘iTV’ Won’t Have True HD
Reality: Correct. That Engadget piece also reported that the new Apple TV would be capable of full 1080p HD. In August, however, the blog reported that Apple TV would actually stick with the 720p format. According to the Apple TV tech specs, that is correct. Apple TV includes “H.264 video up to 720p,” they said.

Report: Apple Will Extend iTunes Song Preview Length
Reality: Incorrect. On Tuesday, CNet reported that Jobs might announce an extended music preview length in iTunes. Instead of hearing a 30-second snippet, Apple would provide a 90-second preview of a given song. Jobs, however, made no mention of such a feature in his presentation. [Update: CNet on Thursday reported that the National Music Publishers Association told Apple that it needed to negotiate with music publishers, not just record labels, if it wanted to implement such a feature.]

Report: Apple Presentation Will Not Include Cloud-Based iTunes
Reality: Correct. In the same story, CNet reported that Apple would probably not introduce a cloud-based music service because it has not yet obtained the licenses required for such an undertaking. While Apple TV switched from a download model to a streaming-only model, Jobs did not take iTunes to the cloud in his Wednesday presentation. Apple purchased and subsequently killed cloud-based music service Lala last year, prompting some to speculate about Apple’s plans for the cloud, but no such service has been announced.

Report: Apple Will Unveil a 7-Inch ‘Mini’ iPad
Reality: Not a chance. In August, DigiTimes’s in-house analyst team predicted that Apple will release an iPad with a 7-inch screen, down from the current 9.7-inch display. This prompted speculation that the announcement would happen during Apple’s fall event, but Apple September events have traditionally been music-centric, so it’s not a huge surprise that Wednesday’s event did not include any hardware upgrades for the iPad.

PREDICTIONS AND WISH LISTS

PCMag audio analyst Tim Gideon made a few predictions in advance of Wednesday’s press conference, while Wendy Sheehan Donnell, managing editor for consumer electronics, put together an “iTV” wish list. Did they get everything they predicted or wanted?

Prediction: Touch Screen on the iPod nano
Reality: Correct. Tim said leaked photos of new iPod cases appeared to leave space for a nano touch screen. The new iPod nano does in fact include a 1.54-inch multi-touch display.

Prediction: Entire iPod Line Has Morphed from Screen-and-Click Wheel to Touch Screen
Reality: Partially Correct. The iPod nano did, in fact, get a touch-based interface, but clickable buttons remain on the shuffle, and the iPod classic.

Prediction: Apple Will Keep the iPod classic Alive to Appease Devoted Base with Huge Music Libraries
Reality: Correct. Jobs did not mention the iPod classic in his presentation, but it remains on the Apple Web site. As Tim pointed out, a 64GB iPod touch – the largest iPod touch available – can’t come close to the 160GB of storage available on an iPod classic, available for $249.

Prediction: Apple Will Kill Off the iPod Line, Make Everything an iPad
Reality: Incorrect. The iPod line lives on.

Prediction: New iPod touch Will Include FaceTime
Reality: Correct. In a rundown of Apple rumors, Tim said FaceTime on the iPod touch was very likely. He was correct. Apple added a front-facing camera to the device and the FaceTime video chat application currently available on the iPhone 4.

Wish List: iPod touch Gets a Video Camera
Reality: Granted. In addition to a front-facing camera with FaceTime, Apple also added a rear-facing camera with HD video recording to the iPod touch.

Wish List: Everything Works Together
Reality: Wait for it. Tim asked for an Apple TV that could play the games, movies, apps, and TV shows you downloaded on your iPhone or iPad. While that was not part of Wednesday’s announcements, Jobs did show off a demo of AirPlay, which will be available in November with iOS 4.2. It will allow users to stream content from any iOS device to an Apple TV. Start watching something on Apple TV in the living room, walk into another room, and pick it up on the iPad.

Wish List: A 128GB iPod touch
Reality: Sorry, check back next year. The iPod touch still maxes out at 64GB.

Wish List: A Better Apple TV Remote
Reality: Sort of. Wendy wanted an Apple TV that could be controlled via iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad, as well as a more full-featured remote. While Apple revamped the design and introduced a silver remote to replace the old white one, the upgrade was primarily cosmetic and did not include any major feature enhancements.

Wish List: Apple TV Subscription Pricing
Reality: Nope. Wendy wanted a flat monthly fee that would let you stream as much content as you please. While Apple added Netflix streaming and 99-cent TV show rentals, it did not introduce an unlimited plan a la Hulu Plus.

Wish List: Cable TV Tie-In and DVR Capabilities on Apple TV
Reality: Ha. This was an admittedly 99.9 percent unlikely announcement, but we had to try. “A do-it-all device that eliminates the need for a cable box or a DVR sure would be nice,” Wendy wrote, but alas, no announcement from Jobs.

Source : PCmag.com

Samsung yesterday introduced its Galaxy Tab, and from the looks of this 7-inch Android-powered tablet, it seems like it might be the first true Apple iPad contender. Since April, there have been a raft of reports of upcoming tablets from HP, Best Buy, LG, RIM, and others. The iPad has dominated this overhyped tablet space, not just because it’s a well-executed device; but very few tablets have actually made it to market. And those that are (or were) available, haven’t really made an impact. JooJoo anyone? We didn’t think so.

This is not to say that the Galaxy Tab is available. According to Samsung, the Tab will come to Europe this month and to the U.S. “in coming months.” But at least the company showed an actual working device at the IFA trade show in Berlin. In anticipation of the Galaxy Tab’s availability, we put it side by side with the Apple iPad to see how they stack up specwise.

Source : PCmag.com

WASHINGTON, September 2, 2010 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following projects:

IBRD Loan: US$90 million

Terms: Maturity = 25 years; Grace = 10 years

Project ID: P118540

Project Description: The objective of the Santa Catarina Rural Competitiveness Project for Brazil is to increase the capacity of family producer organizations to compete and open markets, contributing to increase incomes and wellbeing in the rural area.

Contacts:

Gabriela Aguilar Martinez

(202) 473-6768 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (202) 473-6768      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit:

http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&theSitePK=523679&entityID=000112742_20100812135837&searchMenuPK=64187283&theSitePK=523679

Source : web.worldbank.org