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☆ Gulf bourses end mixed on China growth concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

China on Tuesday cut two benchmark lending rates by 10 basis points each. Dubai's benchmark index (.DFMGI) extended losses to a second straight session, ending 0.3% lower. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) inched up 0.1%, with Dr Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Services (4013.SE) rising 0.7% and Company for Cooperative Insurance (8010.SE) climbing 2.3%. "Oil prices remained volatile as Chinese economic recovery continues to fuel concerns among traders, affecting oil demand expectations," said Daniel Takieddine, CEO MENA at BDSwiss. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) fell 0.4%, extending previous session losses with financial and materials sectors trading in the red.

Persons: Dr Sulaiman Al, Daniel Takieddine, Brent, Md Manzer Hussain, Eileen Soreng Organizations: Emaar, Emirates Central Cooling Systems, Emirates, Qatar National Bank, Ezdan, Habib Medical Services, Company, Cooperative Insurance, Jamjoom Pharmaceuticals, Alpha, Commercial International Bank, Ezz, Thomson Locations: Dubai, Qatar, Saudi, Abu Dhabi, China, Beijing, Alpha Dhabi, Burjeel

☆ OceanGate Expeditions: What we know about the Titanic-exploring submersible missing off Newfoundland coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The submersible was part of an eight-day journey conducted by OceanGate Expeditions. It’s still not clear what happened to the submersible, why it lost contact, and how close to the Titanic it was when it went missing. According to OceanGate, Titan is a 23,000-pound submersible made of carbon fiber and titanium. On Pogue’s trip, communications broke down during a dive and the submersible was lost for over two hours, he said. The US Coast Guard is coordinating the search with the US Navy, the Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian military.

Persons: It’s, ”, John Mauger, Hamish Harding, Hamish, Harding, ” Hamish Harding, Facebook Harding, Paul, Henri, P.H, Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood, Sulaiman Dawood, Dawood, Roger Chapman, Roger Mallinson, OceanGate, …, David Pogue, CNN Thomas Shugart, didn’t bode, haven’t, they’d Organizations: CNN, Titan, OceanGate Expeditions, United Arab Emirates, Action Aviation, SETI Institute, Dawood Hercules Corporation, Dawood, Authorities, Coast Guard, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, CBS, Titanic, US, Center, New, New American Security, US Coast Guard, US Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, Canadian, US Air, Wing, Navy Locations: United States, St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, Cape Cod , Massachusetts, British, Pakistani, California, New American

Only Cambodia has so far officially confirmed it intended to attend the talks. Myanmar's junta spokesman could not be reached for comment on Sunday. Thailand's foreign ministry was tight-lipped about exactly who was attending the two-day gathering in the resort town of Pattaya, for which outgoing Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai sent invitation letters just four days before its start. Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn was to attend the meeting, his government said in a statement on Friday. Vietnam's government said its foreign minister would not attend "due to a prior engagement".

Persons: Nobel, Aung, Myanmar's, Swe, Don Pramudwinai, Don, Prak Sokhonn, Vivian Balakrishnan, Nantiwat Samart, Suu Kyi's, Panu, Phuong Nguyen, Ananda Teresia, Stefanno Sulaiman, Poppy McPherson, Devjyot, Kay Johnson, William Mallard Organizations: Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Reuters, Cambodian, Nation TV, National Unity Government, Thai, Ananda, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Cambodia, Suu, Thailand, Pattaya, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Thai, ASEAN, Malaysia, Philippines, Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Shoon

☆ Qatar stock market ends lower, Egypt rises
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Qatari Stock index (.QSI) dropped 0.1%, extending its losses to a second session with Gulf's biggest lender Qatar National Bank (QNBK.QA) falling 0.2% and Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB.QA) shedding 1.1%. Among the losers, Lesha Bank (QFBQ.QA) and Dukhan Bank (DUBK.QA) lost 1.1% and 1.3% respectively. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) added marginally as losses in energy and financial sectors countered gains in most of the sectors. Dr Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Services (4013.SE) climbed 2.5% and Mouwasat Medical Services (4002.SE) surged 6.1%. However, Riyad Bank (1010.SE) and the world's largest Islamic bank by assets Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE) lost 2.1% and 0.7% respectively.

Persons: Christopher Waller, Dr Sulaiman Al, Md Manzer Hussain, David Evans Organizations: . Federal, United Arab, Qatar National Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, Lesha Bank, Dukhan Bank, Habib Medical Services, Mouwasat Medical Services, Riyad Bank, Al Rajhi Bank, Co, International Finance Corporation, IFC, Thomson Locations: United States, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi, El

The "Dana Desa" village fund introduced by President Joko Widodo in 2015 and valued at $4.7 billion this year has long been criticised as prone to corruption. "So it's reasonable if the use of the village fund is somewhat loose and anyone can do what they want with it." ILLEGAL ARMSIt is unclear how much of the $337 million in village funds allocated for the Papua region in 2023 is being diverted into arms. "I have never seen a project funded by the village fund, not at all," said Bernadus Kobogau, a tourism official in Intan Jaya. In Papua's highlands, village funds are treated like a "revolutionary tax", he said, commandeered either via intimidation and coercion, or given willingly by supporters of independence.

Persons: Dana, Joko Widodo, Phillip Mehrtens, Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, Dana Desa, Faizal Ramadhani, Sebby Sambom, Bernadus Kobogau, Deka Anwar, Anwar, Latifah Anum Siregar, makan tuan, Stefanno Sulaiman, Lincoln Organizations: Reuters, Indonesia Corruption Watch, West Papua National Liberation Army, Free Papua Movement, Institute for, Democracy Alliance for Papua, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesian, Papua, New Zealand, Jakarta, Indonesia, Nduga, Intan Jaya, Nabire

☆ Japan's Isuzu says it is not planning to relocate factory from Thailand to Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, June 8 (Reuters) - Japanese truck maker Isuzu Motors (7202.T) on Thursday said it was not planning to move a factory from Thailand to Indonesia, a day after the Indonesian industry minister said the company would do so. "While our company continues to focus on Indonesia as a major market, there are no plans to relocate a Thai factory to Indonesia," an Isuzu spokesperson said. Indonesian Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita had said on Wednesday that Isuzu planned to move the factory and could start production as early as next year. A ministry spokesperson on Thursday did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the denial from Isuzu, which already has a factory in Karawang, Indonesia. Shares of some Thai auto parts companies sold off on Thursday after reports of the comment from the Indonesian industry minister.

Persons: Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Daniel Leussink, Stefanno Sulaiman, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Isuzu Motors, Isuzu, Indonesian Industry, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Thailand, Indonesia, Thai, Karawang, Tokyo, Jakarta

☆ Indonesia's delayed China-funded rail project beset by fresh problems
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Stefanno Sulaiman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] An electric Multiple Unit high-speed train is seen during Hot Sliding Test in Tegalluar, Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia, May 19, 2023, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. China-backed consortium PT KCIC, Mott MacDonald, Umbra, CDB and China's embassy in Jakarta did not respond immediately to requests for comment. PT KCIC was awarded the project in 2015 after lodging a cheaper proposal than a Japanese rival, with completion expected in 2019. The planned 45-minute train ride between Jakarta and Bandung compares with a car journey of two to three hours or the current three-hour rail trip. Locating the stations in central Jakarta and Bandung would have been too costly, ministry official Seto said.

Persons: Antara, Al Farisi, Joko Widodo, Teuku Rezasyah, Mott MacDonald, Mahendra Vijaya, Hario, PwC, Sutanto Soehodho, Seto, Stefanno Sulaiman, Devjyot Ghoshal, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Initiative, Padjadjaran University, Reuters, PT, China Development Bank, CDB, PT KCIC, KCIC, University of Indonesia, Thomson Locations: Tegalluar, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, REUTERS JAKARTA, China, Jakarta, Indonesian, Southeast Asia's, Independence, PwC, CDB, China's

☆ Most Gulf markets end lower, Egypt ekes out gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Most Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Saudi, have their currencies pegged to the dollar and generally follow the Fed's policy moves, exposing the region relatively directly to any monetary tightening there. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) lost 0.4%, with Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE) declining 1% and Dr Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Services (4013.SE) finishing 1.4% lower. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) gained 0.5%, led by an 11.3% jump in Edita Food Industries (EFID.CA). On the other hand, Egypt has deferred payments for its large wheat purchases, in some cases by months, according to a government official and traders, as the country grapples with a shortage of hard currency. Egypt is one of the world's biggest wheat importers and uses the purchases to make heavily subsidised bread available to tens of millions of people.

JAKARTA, May 10 (Reuters) - Sales of electric cars in Indonesia jumped last month after the government launched tax incentives, auto executives said, in an early sign that electric vehicle (EV) adoption is gaining traction in Southeast Asia's largest economy. Effective from April, Indonesia cut the value-added tax (VAT) on electric cars from 11% to just 1%, provided they are manufactured with at least 40% local content. Hyundai aims to sell 10,000 units of IONIQ 5 in Indonesia this year, helped by the tax cut and as a shortage in semiconductor chips eases, he said. The two models are the most popular electric cars in Indonesia. Hyundai's Yoon said the South Korean company plans to introduce more battery-EV models in Indonesia to capture the growing market.

JAKARTA, May 3 (Reuters) - Indonesia has cut tax incentives to limit investment in lower quality nickel products as it aims to extract as much value as possible from its rich nickel reserves and push for further downstream investment, a cabinet minister said on Wednesday. Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the government will no longer provide tax holidays for investment into NPI. "Downstreaming must at least reach 60% to 70% nickel content in Indonesia and not only for intermediate products," Bahlil said in an interview with Reuters. The International Nickel Study Group (INSG) is forecasting a surplus of 239,000 tonnes, the largest in at least a decade. Merdeka currently has capacity of 38,000 tonnes of NPI and a third smelter with 50,000 tonnes capacity is expected to start operations in the second half of the year.

[1/2] Indonesia's Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia gestures during an interview at his office in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 3, 2023. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar UlfianaJAKARTA, May 3 (Reuters) - Indonesia's investment minister said on Wednesday that copper miner Freeport Indonesia must agree to sell an additional 10% stake to the government, as negotiations get underway for the U.S. company to extend its permit to operate in the country. "We ask for Freeport's 10% divestment through a state company for as cheap as possible. The $3.85 billion that Indonesia invested in the miner in 2018 via a state company has proven beneficial for the country, and the government expects to break even on that deal next year, he said. Freeport Indonesia said it produced 3 million tonnes of copper concentrate in 2022, an annual record.

JAKARTA, May 3 (Reuters) - Indonesia has cut tax incentives to limit investment in lower quality nickel products as it aims to extract as much value as possible from its rich nickel reserves and push for further downstream investment, a cabinet minister said on Wednesday. Since banning nickel ore exports in 2020, Indonesia has seen a surge in investment into smelters but most output is ferronickel or nickel pig iron (NPI), used in stainless steel, that typically only contains 30% to 40% of nickel. Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the government will no longer provide tax holidays for investment into NPI. "NPI investment can reach break even in four to five years, why would we give 10-year tax holidays? Merdeka currently has capacity of 38,000 tonnes of NPI and a third smelter with 50,000 tonnes capacity is expected to start operations in the second half of the year.

☆ Indonesia's GoTo reports narrower Q1 loss, expects core profit in Q4
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Like many other tech companies, GoTo has been reducing its spending and laying off staff this year to ride out the global economic uncertainty. Group CEO Andre Soelistyo said in a statement the company was halfway towards becoming adjusted EBITDA positive in the fourth quarter. "A lower cost base will provide us with additional flexibility to allocate capital for the acceleration of growth in the future," GoTo Group CFO Jacky Lo said. GoTo posted a net loss of 3.9 trillion rupiah in the first three months of 2023, versus a loss of 6.6 trillion rupiah a year earlier. GoTo shares closed up 4.21% at 99 rupiah per share on Thursday before the earnings announcement.

[1/5] Muslims perform a mass prayer at a mosque during Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 22, 2023. REUTERS/Hasnoor HussainJAKARTA, April 22 (Reuters) - Muslims in Indonesia and Malaysia gathered in large groups to usher in the Eid al-Fitr festival on Saturday, relieved to be able to celebrate freely after the lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions. "I'm very happy that we're free (of COVID curbs) now," said Laila, 35, who goes by one name like many Indonesians. In neighbouring Muslim-majority Malaysia, devotees also celebrated with families. Authorities in both countries have, however, urged the public to remain cautious amid reports of rising COVID cases.

☆ Southeast Asian finance leaders discuss containing global risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, March 31 (Reuters) - Talks between Southeast Asian central bank governors and finance ministers entered their final day on Friday, with the leaders focused on strengthening the region's resilience against global risks. The gathering of finance leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comes amid a backdrop of recent global banking turmoil after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the bailout and takeover of Credit Suisse. Indonesia's central bank governor Perry Warjiyo called on the forum to boost the use of local currencies for settlements to reduce volatility and exposure to major currencies. They also discussed cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies, he added. Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman; additional reporting by Ananda Teresia in Jakarta Editing by Ed Davies, Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Southeast Asian finance leaders in talks on containing global risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, March 31 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian central bank governors and finance ministers are set to wrap up talks on Friday, after meeting in Bali this week for discussions often focused on how the region can remain resilient in the face of a spike in global risks. The gathering of finance leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comes amid a backdrop of recent global banking turmoil after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the bailout and takeover of Credit Suisse. Dody also said finance deputies discussed connecting payment systems in the region, even though the infrastructure of some ASEAN countries was not fully developed yet. They also discussed cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies, he said. They knew the memory of the Asian financial crisis," Philippine central bank governor Felipe Medalla told the seminar on economy resiliency.

☆ Fears for orangutans, dolphins as Indonesia presses on with new capital
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Stefanno Sulaiman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

She is one of 127 orangutans that the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) is caring for in the Samboja district, East Kalimantan. The Nusantara Capital City Authority said mangroves would be replanted in other areas and guidelines have been made for workers encountering an animal. "It's a very high concern of how we'll try to have harmony between people, nature and culture...because that's the soul of the city," Nusantara chief Bambang Susantono said. "We hope that with the capital city being here, we can pave the way for animals to live side by side (with humans)," said BOSF manager Aldrianto Priadjati. "At least provide an area for orangutans so they can live a better life."

☆ Indonesia's parliament passes controversial jobs decree into law
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA, March 21 (Reuters) - Indonesia's parliament on Tuesday voted to pass President Joko Widodo's emergency decree to cement rules on investment and jobs in Southeast Asia's biggest economy, replacing a similar 2020 law that had been ruled partially unconstitutional. Tuesday's passage of the decree meant most of the changes brought about by the law would stay, with some small changes on labour rules. Experts have also questioned the use of the decree, officially known as a government regulation in lieu of law, especially after parliament delayed its vote by more than a month. Under Indonesia's constitution, a president is only supposed to use such a decree to address an emergency and parliament is supposed to vote on it in the first sitting after its issuance. The Labour Party, which currently has no seat in parliament but plans to contest the 2024 elections, intends to hold a rally to protest the passage of the decree later on Tuesday.

☆ Most Gulf markets gain as fears about rapid Fed hikes, bank crisis ease
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Federal Reserve is seen raising its benchmark rate a quarter of a percentage point next week and again in May. Most Gulf currencies are pegged to the dollar, and Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates usually mirror any monetary policy change in the United States. But the index's gains were limited by a 1.5% fall in oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) as the stock went ex-dividend. The Qatari benchmark (.QSI), however, traded 0.2% lower, dragged down by a 5.8% slide in utility firm Qatar Electricity and Water Co (QEWC.QA) as the stock went ex-dividend. Reporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi MajumdarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Some cash in on land boom near Indonesia's new capital, others despondent
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Stefanno Sulaiman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/3] Trucks are seen near a palm oil plantation at a village located near Indonesia's projected new capital, known as Nusantara National Capital, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 8 2023. Headman Rizki Maulana Perwira Atmadja, 38, said land prices around his village - 10 km (6 miles) from where a presidential palace is being built - had jumped four-fold. Land prices in places near a water reservoir had risen over 16-fold, said Junaidin, the village chief of Tengin Baru, a settlement of around 4,000 people within Nusantara's development zone. He said large property companies had not sought to acquire land banks in Nusantara due to the moratorium on permits. However, the Nusantara authority said land speculation should not affect development plans as compensation for land would be measured fairly by an independent party.

☆ Indonesia parliament won't allow power vacuum over election ruling - deputy speaker
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA, March 14 (Reuters) - Indonesia's parliament will ensure there is no vacuum of power in the country despite a controversial court ruling to delay the 2024 presidential and general elections, its deputy speaker said on Tuesday. Deputy house speaker Lodewijk F. Paulus on Tuesday told parliament the constitution makes clear that elections must be held every five years. The election commission appealed the ruling last week and has said it would proceed with poll preparations as normal, despite the court ordering those be stopped for more than two years. Jokowi, as the president is known, backs the appeal against the ruling and has said he is against the idea of extending his tenure. Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman; Writing by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Indonesia tech firm GoTo to cut 600 more jobs - statement
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 10 (Reuters) - Indonesia's biggest tech firm PT Goto Gojek Tokopedia (GOTO.JK) announced on Friday another round of layoffs aimed at streamlining the organisation and boosting the company's profitability. About 600 roles will be affected, the company said in a statement, following 1,300 jobs that were cut late last year. The company has previously said the laysoffs are aimed at making the company more "agile" and maintaining growth amid challenging global economic conditions. GoTo said last month that adjusted EBITDA is expected to turn positive in the last quarter of 2023 due to its cost management measures. Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman, Writing by Bernadette Christina Munthe; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Most Gulf markets open lower on weak oil prices, rate-hike bets
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 27 (Reuters) - Most major Gulf markets opened lower on Monday, tracking Asian peers and weaker oil prices, as fears of further rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve dampened investors' risk appetite. Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index (.TASI) fell 0.2%, extending losses to a seventh consecutive session. The Qatari Stock index (.QSI) eased 0.1%, dragged down by losses in financial stocks. Bucking the trend, Dubai's benchmark index (.DFMGI) rose 0.4%, lifted by gains in property and banking shares. ($1 = 3.7519 riyals)Reporting by Shamsuddin Mohd in Bengaluru; editing by Eileen SorengOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Indonesia tech firm GoTo expects positive adjusted EBITDA in Q4, 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JAKARTA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Indonesia's biggest tech firm PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia (GOTO.JK) said on Thursday that adjusted EBITDA is expected to turn positive in the last quarter of 2023 due to its cost management measures. GoTo also said its group contribution margin will turn positive this quarter, four quarters earlier than previous guidance. GoTo said gross transaction value (GTV) in the last quarter of 2022 stood at 162 trillion rupiah ($10.69 billion), up by 18% annually. GTV for the full 2022 year was 613 trillion rupiah, up by a third from the previous year on a proforma basis. GoTo said, without giving further details, that gross revenue in both the fourth quarter and full year was at the upper end of guidance.

☆ Most Gulf markets drop as oil prices fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 13 (Reuters) - Most Gulf stock markets fell in early trade on Monday, in tandem with weaker oil prices and Asian peers as investors were cautious ahead release of crucial U.S. inflation data. Oil, which fuels the region's growth, declined around 1% with Brent crude was down $85.66 a barrel by 0743 GMT. In Abu Dhabi, the benchmark stock index (.FTFADGI) dropped 1.1%, dragged down by a 2.9% loss in Alpha Dhabi (ALPHADHABI.AD) and 1.9% fall in Al Dar Properties, while the largest lender by assets, First Abu Dhabi Bank slid 2.1%. The Qatari Stock index (.QSI) fell 0.2%, weighed down by losses in industry and energy sectors with Industries Qatar losing 2.9% and Qatar Fuel shedding 1.5%. Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index (.TASI) opened on positive note trading 0.6% higher.

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