Coal, a combustible sedimentary rock that is primarily composed of carbon (along with varying amounts of other elements like hydrogen, sulfur and oxygen), is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of ancient plants that were compressed (and heated) over millions of years, typically in swampy or wetland environments ..read more

Coffee, one of the world’s most popular beverages, has remained in the spotlights of international media as global prices (of both the higher quality arabica bean and the lower quality robusta bean) continue to hover near record-high territory in recent months. And as a consequence consumers (especially in coffee importing countries) now have to pay a significantly higher price for their cup of coffee ..read more

Indonesia ranks among the world’s biggest natural rubber producing countries. For many years now, Indonesia –Southeast Asia’s largest economy– is positioned second in terms of biggest natural rubber producers. At the same time, and obviously highly related to its position as a top producer, Indonesia also ranks as the world’s second-biggest exporter of natural rubber ..read more

Based on the latest data from Indonesia’s Statistical Agency (BPS), Indonesia’s trade balance showed a surplus of USD $4.42 billion in November 2024. It was the second-biggest trade surplus so far in 2024 (after March), with one more month to go ..read more

As usual, we devote one article to the latest available (key) macroeconomic data in an effort to assess the state of the Indonesian economy. In the previous article in this month’s report, we discussed the 4.95 percent year-on-year (y/y) GDP growth rate of Indonesia in Q3-2024. In the article you are reading right now, we’re going to take a closer look whether the country’s economic growth can accelerate (or decelerate) in the last quarter of the year ..read more

Before we zoom in on Indonesia, it is worth taking a closer look at the latest reports released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In its World Economic Outlook (released in October 2024), the IMF stated that global economic growth is expected to remain stable, yet underwhelming, at 3.2 percent year-on-year (y/y) in 2024 ..read more

A couple of months ago, we presented a detailed overview of Indonesia’s (upstream) coffee sector. This time our attention goes to tea, which -too- ranks among one of the world's most consumed beverages ..read more

Timing is critical for investments, as the right investment can alter the fate of the financial position. The largest workforce today known as the Millennials has access to simple ways of accumulating wealth using simple ideas. The question is how to start and sustain a plan that will result in long term success ..read more

Palm oil ranks among the most important agricultural commodities of Indonesia as this country is the world’s biggest producer of palm oil. This implies that Indonesia generates important foreign exchange earnings from palm oil exports and is a source of income for millions of workers on the plantations ..read more

Many Asian countries have a reputation for being tech-savvy and developing new and interesting technologies as well as supplying the whole world with components and products. A few sectors are standing out as growth champions, and each Asian country has its own focus when it comes to industry and business. These industries are riding waves of technological change and making a huge impact in the East (and beyond ..read more