More than four-fifths of Indonesian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have started to operate normal full hours, according to a survey carried out by Jakarta-based Mandiri Insitute in March and April.
More than four-fifths of Indonesian SMEs have started to operate normal full hours. (Photo: AFP)
Jakarta (VNA) – More than four-fifths of Indonesian small andmedium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have started to operate normal full hours,according to a survey carried out by Jakarta-based Mandiri Insitute in Marchand April.
The survey highlights the increasing confidence among consumers and businessesin the grassroots that Southeast Asia’s largest economy has managed to curbCOVID-19 infections, and stepped up its vaccination programme.
The survey on 505 respondents across Indonesia wasconducted by the affiliate of Indonesia's second-largest lender Bank Mandiri.
It revealed that 84.8 percent of the businesses have started operating normally.This compares with 35.2 percent which operated on normal hours in the middle oflast year - where another 34.5 percent of them then operated on limited hoursand 30.4 percent were forced to close temporarily.
As many as 49 percent of the respondents run their business in Java, the mostpopulous island, while 22 percent were in Sumatera, 16 percent in Kalimantan,and the remaining in other places across the world's largest archipelagicnation.
According to the Mandiri Institute survey, small businesses in Indonesia haveretrenched between two to four people since the pandemic started, whilemedium-sized businesses cut headcount by an average of 18./.
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Indonesia’s oil and gas group Pertamina is considering the adjustment of its strategy to carry out several projects to ease reliance on imported liquefied petroleum gas by 2027.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
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Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
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Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
More than four-fifths of Indonesian SMEs have started to operate normal full hours. (Photo: AFP) 
