Telecommunications technology companies from Canada, Blackberry, has announced in the BlackBerry Live 2013 event that their services, BBM , will be crossed-platform. This means that BBM can be used on iOS and Android.

BlackBerry CEO, Thorsten Heins, gave the information about the certainty that BBM will be available as third party applications, where the application will be available for iOS and Android in July or August this year. In addition, Heins, added that by the presence of the BlackBerry 10 platform, BBM will be getting stronger so it can spread to other systems.

Steps taken by the BlackBerry has long become the talk throughout 2012. But still, many people will be surprised with this news. For users of Android apps this BBM service can only be used under iOS 6 or above and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced its decision to participate in the FIA Formula One (F1) World Championship from the 2015 season under a joint project with McLaren, the UK-based F1 corporation.

Honda will be in charge of the development, manufacture and supply of the power unit, including the engine and energy recovery system, while McLaren will be in charge of the development and manufacture of the chassis, as well as the management of the new team, McLaren Honda.

From 2014, new F1 regulations require the introduction of a 1.6 liter direct injection turbocharged V6 engine with energy recovery systems. The opportunity to further develop these powertrain technologies through the challenge of racing is central to Honda’s decision to participate in F1. Throughout its history, Honda has passionately pursued improvements in the efficiency of the internal combustion engine and in more recent years, the development of pioneering energy management technologies such as hybrid systems. Participation in F1 under these new regulations will encourage even further technological progress in both these areas. Furthermore, a new generation of Honda engineers can learn the challenges and the thrills of operating at the pinnacle of motorsport.

U.S. Ambassador Scot Marciel visited West Sulawesi May 13-14 to highlight the province’s record of religious harmony, continued rapid economic growth, and the new Millennium Challenge Account-Indonesia program. U.S. Consul General Joaquin Monserrate accompanied the Ambassador during the visit. While in West Sulawesi, the Ambassador delivered a lecture on the theme “U.S. and Indonesian Shared Values” to over 300 students at Tomakaka University in Mamuju. He also attended a meeting of the Forum for Interfaith Dialogue where he participated in a discussion on religious harmony and minority rights. The Ambassador had the opportunity to meet Governor Saleh and discuss the Green Prosperity Project, which will be funded as part of the Millennium Challenge program, and educational opportunities for Indonesian students in the United States. Before returning to Jakarta, the Ambassador also toured a local cocoa plantation and spoke with local farmers.

INDO Intertex 2013 was held on 18-21 April 2013 at the Jakarta International Expo. 

Indo Intertex is a textile and garment machinery exhibition organized on an international scale. It was organized by Expo Exhibit in coordination with the Ministry of Industry, the Government of West Java Province, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), the Indonesian Textile Association (API), and the Indonesian Exhibition Companies Association (ASPERASI).

Indo Intertex includes over 550 exhibitors of textile machinery and accessories like fiber making machines, spinning machines, yarning machines and textile chemicals, finishing equipment and systems, laboratory equipment, laundry machines, ironing and steaming equipment, laser cut machines, garment machinery and accessories like embroidery machines, sewing machines, laser cut and bar coding machines, textile and garment accessories, cooling systems, boilers and waste water treatment plants.

Prominent companies like ACE Heald, Adelco Asia Ltd, Amann Indonesia and Arioli SPA participate in this event every year.

Secretary Night (SN) was held in President Executive Club (PEC) Cikarang Jababeka city on Tuesday (30/4). This is the second time PEC held events intended to be the gathering of all secretaries in the Jababeka Industrial area. Approximately 100 secretaries attended the event. SN was also enlivened by the appearance of artists such as Glen Fredly, Anang, President University Dancers, and others.

Graha Buana Club (GBC) held a ceremony to reward its members who have managed to collect points in selling units of Jababeka residences. This event took place at the Hollywood Plaza, Cikarang Jababeka City, on Sunday (14/4) and was attended by the directors of Jababeka Residence and hundred members of GBC.

GBC gives reward to its members among others, shopping vouchers worth 500.000 rupiah to 15 members who has successfully make the sale of units worth 500 million rupiah. Other prizes are fax machines to six members, digital cameras, two folding bikes, dvd camcorders, and Ipads.

GBC gave a special prize, a Macbook, a folding bicycle, and cash money worth Rp 39,216,915 to Uus Suryana, who successfully reached total sales of Rp 10 billion in 2012.

The highest reward, namely vacation package to Bangkok and Pattaya, shopping vouchers 500.000 rupiah, and cash Rp 58.330.90, was given to Eman Sulaeman who successfully closed sales worth Rp 13 billion.

A total of 85 groups in Jabodetabek from different communities participated in the Jakarta Community Carnival which was held for the first time.

Indomie Goreng Cabe Ijo’s presence in the akarta Community Carnival is the commitment of Indofood to continue to build positive interaction with customers and to facilitate communities in Jabodetabek in expressing their creativity.

The carnival was attended by 3,000 participants from 85 different communities. They paraded by wearing costumes and attributes that show each community’s uniqueness.

The Jakarta Community Carnival also presented a 2.1 meter-high tumpeng Indomie Goreng Cabe Ijo that can be consumed by more than 1,000 people who attended the carnival.

President University (PresUniv) held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Friday (12/4) at PresUniv campus, Jababeka City, Cikarang.

FGD was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).

The event was moderated by Hendra Maurung from the Faculty of Business and International Relations (PresUniv), and participated by three speakers, namely Lasro Simbolon, Foreign Ministry director of African affairs, Mintarjo Halim, Chairman of Kadin’s Africa committee, and Prof. Anak Agung Banyu Perwita, the head of International Relations program PresUniv.

Lasro Simbolon brought the first presentation with the title “Optimization, Economic Diplomacy with African Countries”. He elaborated on the good relationship between Indonesia and African countries. He said that Africa is the right market for exports since Indonesian products are needed by Africans. In fact, some Indonesian companies have built factories in several African countries, such as Indofood, Sinar Mas Group, Wilmar Group, Kalbe Farma, Tjiwi Kimia Finance and others.

He also described future prospects in African countries because they have large reserves of minerals such as bauxite, aluminum, cobalt, gold and diamonds. Therefore, he invited more Indonesian businessmen to invest there.

Meanwhile, Anak Agung Banyu Perwita in his presentation entitled “Regarding the relationship between Indonesia and Africa” said that besides strengthening economic ties, Indonesia could also help to improve the quality of education in African countries by sending lecturers to teach in universities there. So, Indonesia must have a center of education in Africa, he suggests.

Mintarjo Halim with his presentation entitled “Identification of sectors of industry excellence Indonesian and African efforts to use market opportunities” said that standardization of goods’ quality in African countries is not as high as that in European and developed countries. Thus Indonesia has the opportunity to market products and compete with China, Mintarjo said.

By: Titus Leber

The opening of Indonesia’s largest open air cinema at Movieland Indonesia in Jababeka, on April 6th of 2013, an initiative of Dr Titus Leber, Cultural Director of Movieland, was an event as dramatic and suspenseful as a adventure movie in its own right. Will torrential rains, which began thundering down half an hour before the screening, prevent guests from arriving? Will the screening and the buffet have to be moved inside Hollywood Plaza, or would the whole event even have to be cancelled all together?

Fortunately, not long after the rain had let up, the original plan can proceed. Yes, finally the screening can be done in the open concept of this movie.

As opening film, Garin Nugroho´s multi-award winning film “Opera Jawa”, a film rarely seen in Indonesia, was selected. Not an easy film to follow but stunningly beautiful, which would test in a positive way the audience´s readiness for alternative film-programs with high artistic standards.

In his opening speech Dr. Leber pointed at the need to improve “visual literacy” in our country, where audiences are not particularly spoiled with sophisticated movies. What makes a grand film with a wide public appeal is neither its budget nor its country of origin or appeal to cheap instincts of violence or action; it is rather its capacity to appeal to the heart and to the mind of its audience beyond national and language borders. It has to be moving not only in terms of motion but also in terms of emotion.

In his remarks Dr. Leber also compared good films to good food, which can be appreciated only once it has been tasted.

With some delay the projection finally began, but it was worthwhile waiting: under stormy clouds, opening up to reveal a bright nightly sky, superb projection equipment, comparable in quality to the best cinemas in town. A powerful sound system turned the open air experience into a delight for the eyes and the ears and make us look forward for similar screenings which are to be held from now on at regular intervals at first monthly but later on a weekly basis at the Open Air Cinema in Movieland, Jababeka.

By Edward Teather

March CPI inflation and the return of the debate on fuel policy have helped remind investors that low inflation in Indonesia is a relatively recent phenomenon. While food price inflation should subside, trade policy may induce some stickiness and the food price impulse could be followed by a fuel price impulse if subsidies are adjusted.

The combination of these price pressures may make the authorities less willing to allow a weaker currency as a means to correct the current account deficit, preferring to to consider tightening still loose monetary policy. 10-year bond yields have already been edging higher. We continue to forecast CPI inflation to average 6% in 2013, BI to tighten interest rate policy through H2 2013 and for the currency to stabilise (albeit with more downside than upside risks).

CPI inflation rose to 5.9% in March against consensus expectations of 5.6%. The acceleration from 5.3% was a function of food prices – mostly ‘spices’ – due to supply issues. The 2011 experience suggests this effect will be temporary. This said, and perhaps less temporary, some of the acceleration in food price inflation was due to items that have been targeted by import restrictions and quotas.

Indonesia passed regulations establishing trade restricting import licensing requirements for horticultural products. Those regulations were revised in September 2012 to include even more onerous requirements for horticultural imports. The affected products include, but are not limited to, fruits, vegetables, flowers, dried fruits and vegetables and juices. Indonesia has long maintained similar import licensing and quota regimes for animals, beef and other animal product imports.

In December 2012, Indonesia announced drastic reductions in quotas for beef and other animal product imports, further restricting access to the Indonesian market. On these grounds and in support of its own exporters to Indonesia, the US actually appealed to the WTO in March.

Indonesian import data seem to confirm that these illiberal trade practises are biting. Indeed the government has recognised the impact on inflation. On 5 April officials stated a review and adjustment (but not full removal) of the restrictions was under way in order to reduce the price impact.

This matters more broadly because steps like these, to support Indonesian producers, were highlighted as part of the effort to combat the appearance of the current account deficit in 2012. Specifically in August 2012 the authorities indicated a series of such measures alongside an increase in BI’s FASBI rate.

Since then, in addition to further measures to curtail imports, the currency was allowed to slip during 2012 (Chart 3). However, no further explicit tightening of monetary policy was undertaken and the domestic credit expansion continued unabated.

Now, however, the policy response may be shifting. Although Indonesia’s import to GDP ratio is not high, some food and fuel imports are significant. A weaker currency adds to the import cost of both commodities. Higher food inflation, in part because of the restricted imports of some foodstuffs, alongside the budget allocation pressures to adjust fuel subsidies, may make the authorities less willing to allow a weaker currency. In its policy statement on 11 April BI projected a balance of payments deficit in Q2 (albeit smaller than in Q1). That suggests an intention to defend the currency. As such, the authorities may be moving towards a less inflationary response to the current account deficit – tighter monetary policy. Tighter monetary policy would act to slow domestic demand and help narrow the current account deficit.

Ahead of the 11 April BI policy meeting (when rates were left unchanged) Governor Darmin Nasution indicated the central bank was studying the possibility of a rate hike in the event of sustained inflation pressures. Post meeting commentary revealed an intention to step up liquidity absorption efforts using longer-term deposits and bills. Consistent with this we assume short-term interest rates rise in H2, with BI pushing the 3-month interbank rate up from 4.9% now to 5.5%. The timing of the fuel-subsidy adjustment assumed in our 6% average inflation forecast is important, with any policy-rate increases only following this move.

The writer is Executive Director and senior economist in UBS investment bank’s Asian Economics Team