Plans to enable foreigners to purchase property in Indonesia

Congratulations to Joko Widodo who was yesterday announced as the new president. During his campaign in the lead up to the Indonesia presidential election 2014, Joko Widodo, widely known as Jokowi, announced intentions to allow foreigners to purchase apartments. This is in an attempt to increase tax revenues; and investor demand may begin to rush towards low prices in the luxury market.

If plans are to go forward, foreign investors will be able to purchase apartments worth at least 2.5billion rupiah in the Jakarta capital, as well as other major cities and within Bali island. Foreigners are currently barred from direct purchases of Indonesian property, which has led to illegal transactions via proxies, therefore enabling them would allow a luxury tax to be imposed on sales.

Australian property group opens in emerging Indonesia

Indonesia has been targeted as a potential source of foreign investment for the Australian housing market.

Towards the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics inquiry into foreign investment within residential property, Nyko Property explained such investment was beneficial for the Australian economy. This is with the current policy framework essentially correct to ensure no abuses of the system.

The public sector and small and medium sized enterprises are the largest and most robust markets

US based ICT company, Hewlett-Packard (HP) is targeting customers from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), together with the public sector in Indonesia, as these market segments are said to be the nation’s most robust.

Jim Merritt, the senior vice president of HP and general manager of Enterprise Group for Asia-Pacific and Japan explained the company regards developing markets such as Indonesia as an engine of growth.

It was claimed Indonesian SMEs were the largest private sector market for HP products, following commercial retail accounts and global companies. By size alone, the SMEs are rapidly growing.

According to Indonesia’s Cooperatives and SMEs Ministry data, the SMEs compose almost 90% of all Indonesian businesses. 97.2% of domestic employment is also provided, generating 57.9% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Indonesia stocks gain following election day

Asian stock markets were mainly higher today, as China's exports showed a slight pickup. This is as Indonesian stocks rocketed, despite contested presidential election results.

South Korea's Kospi rose 0.2% to 2,003.63, despite the central bank lowering this year's growth outlook. Hong Kong's Hang Seng increased by 0.2% to 23,227.91 and China's Shanghai Composite increased 0.1% higher to 2,040.92. Australian, Singaporean and Thai stocks also gained ground.

In Indonesia, the benchmark stock index exceeded by 2% following the first count of the country's presidential election revealing a narrow victory for Joko Widodo. Despite Prabowo Subianto’s refusal to concede, investors seem to believe the result was distinguished.

STR Global Hotel Reports - Asia Pacific

STR Global have reported hotels within the Asia Pacific region experienced positive results during May this year. The region's occupancy during the month grew by 3.2% to 67.6%; its daily average rate ended the month virtually flat with a 0.1% increase to US$115.10; with its revenue per available room increased by 3.3% to US$77.80.

The Philippines excelled by occupancy growth, increasing from 13.7% to 70.6%, owing to an increased demand of 17.6%. Indonesia also experienced positive growth rate during May, increasing by 10.7%. This is one of the highest increases of the Asia Pacific, principally motivated by Jakarta, increasing rates by 12.1%.

Highlights from significant market performers during May in local currency (year-over-year comparisons):

The big 6 Asian markets of 2014

Yesterday, BlackRock released its investment outlook for Asian equities and credit, where it was reported Indonesia, China, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan are the significant markets to watch during the latter half of this year.

This is as it was claimed structural reforms remain to dominate the agenda and outlook for stock markets across the region.

China

The head of Asian equities at BlackRock claimed that the Chinese leadership continues to motivate the domestic reforms process, as there has been added value and risk as the year has progressed. This is particularly in the energy and industrial sectors.

India

The election win of the BJP may access India’s potential by rebooting its investment cycle. The decisive election result may improve government decision making and execution, which in turn would boost investment in energy and infrastructure, opening more employment opportunities.

Korea and Taiwan

According to a representative from BlackRock, Korea and Taiwan should be beneficiaries of global and improved export growth.

Japan

Japan remains to add liquidity even as the economy absorbs the increase in consumption taxes. Investors should expect more reform progress.

Indonesia

The market has delivered exceptional returns so far during 2014. However, Indonesia is currently under elections, with market positioning, valuations, plus the risk of negative surprise subsequent of the upcoming July elections adding some caution. Although, any sell-off following the election would be a buying opportunity.