Indonesian province ramps up infrastructure construction
Indonesia’s South Sumatra province is planning a number of infrastructure projects to improve its competitiveness and prepare for the ASEAN Economic Community, which will take shape at 2015's end.
Photo document of grand design of Tanjung Api-Api railway and roads (Photo: navperencanaan.com)
Jakarta (VNA)🍌 – Indonesia’s South Sumatra province is planning a number of infrastructure projects to improve its competitiveness and prepare for the ASEAN Economic Community, which will take shape at the end of 2015.
Antara news agency reported that South Sumatra is offering a project to build a double-track railway from Muara Enim to the special economic zone of Tanjung Api-Api and its seaport.
The track would be used mainly for coal trains, and the transport of other commodities such as palm oil and rubber.
Ruslan Bahri, a senior official at the provincial administration, said seven countries have indicated interest in the project so far: China, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and France.
According to the Capital Investment Coordinating Board, the double-track railway project will cost around 2.97 billion USD. The monorail project at the special economic zone in Tanjung Api-Api will be worth 550 million USD.
Antara quoted South Sumatra’s Deputy Governor Ishak Mekki as saying that the construction of infrastructure would be brisk in South Sumatra. Many infrastructure projects would be underway from 2015 to 2018 – the year Indonesia hosts the 18th Asian Games.
Some major infrastructure projects to be built in 2016 include double-track railways, a special economic zone covering over 12,000 hectares and several bridges, he added.
Foreign investment in South Sumatra grew quickly, reaching 10.24 trillion Rupiah (739.6 million USD) in the third quarter of 2015 – an increase of 118.43 percent year on year, according to Secretary of the province’s capital and investment service Sofyan Alipanca.-VNA
Indonesia is increasing its national competitive edge in anticipation for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which will take shape at the end of the year.
Indonesia and Switzerland discussed measures to boost economic and trade cooperation during the political dialogue and the meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee in Bern, Switzerland.
The Norwegian government has pledged support for Indonesia’s green economic development through comprehensive, sustainable and environmentally-friendly programmes.
Indonesia was re-elected as member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for 2016-2017 during the 29 th session of the IMO Assembly held in London from November 23 – December 2.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
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.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
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.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
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.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Photo document of grand design of Tanjung Api-Api railway and roads (Photo: navperencanaan.com)
