Nestle opens new US$15.5 mln ice cream factory in Philippines

Antara News, Tuesday, April 6, 2010 16:12 WIB

Manila (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Nestle Philippines Inc. recently inaugurated its new ice cream and chilled dairy factory in Pulilan, Bulacan in a major initiative to beef up its production capabilities to serve local market demand with world-class quality products appealing to Filipino taste preferences.

The new facility entailed investments of P700 million (US$15.5 million), including allocations for state-of-the art production equipment and processes.

The factory is situated in a 4.5 hectare land area in Pulilan\'s Barangay Tibag. It was completed in a record 14 months.

Source:
Business in Asia Today - Apr. 6, 2010
published by Asia Pulse

Indonesia seaweed supply to RP assured

BusinessMirror, Agri-Commodities, Written by Jennifer A. Ng / Reporter, WEDNESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2010 19:48

INDONESIA has assured seaweed processors from the Philippines that it will be able to supply its requirements for raw seaweed in the coming years.

Dr. Victor Nikijuluw, a director of Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, disclosed that Jakarta is not planning to impose a total ban on seaweed exports.

“[We are not planning to impose] a total ban; what we plan to do is manage exports,” Nikijuluw told reporters in a press briefing in Makati City late Monday night.

The Indonesian official said he is looking at three approaches to “manage exports.”

One approach, he said, is to give the license to import raw seaweed to companies that operate processing plants in Indonesia.

“[The second approach] is to give the export license to small and medium enterprises and cooperatives. This will ensure that SMEs and cooperatives benefit from the export of raw seaweed,” said Nikijuluw.

The Indonesian official said the third approach would be to implement a quota system for traders. He noted that Jakarta may implement all these strategies by 2012.

Last year Nikijuluw disclosed that Indonesia produced a total of 300,000 metric tons of raw seaweed. Of this volume, around 85 percent was exported to other markets. China cornered a significant chunk of this volume. The Philippines accounts for about 25 percent of what Indonesia exports to the world.

By 2014, Indonesia is targeting to increase raw-seaweed production to 1 million metric tons. Nikijuluw assured that the Philippines would still be able to get supply from Indonesia.

Benson Dakay, president of the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP), hopes that Indonesia will not resort to a total ban on raw-seaweed exports.

“[Jakarta] wants [all raw seaweeds] to be processed before it ships out seaweed products. If Indonesia will impose a total ban, [their] farmers would surely suffer, because they will lose markets for their produce,” said Dakay, who also owns the seaweed-processing firm Shemberg Corp.

Meanwhile, Dakay disclosed that local seaweed processors are operating below capacity due to the lack of local seaweed supply.

“Our cottonii processing is only 30 percent, because there is no raw seaweed. We [currently] rely on Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia for supply,” he said.

The SIAP chief said the lack of local seaweed supply can be traced to the inability of farmers to get financing for their farming venture.

“In the past, [seaweed-processing companies] extend loans to farmers and if they default, companies can write off their loans. Now, we can no longer do that,” said Dakay.

Benjamin Tabios Jr., assistant director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, said the agency’s hands are practically tied because there is no enabling law that gives them the authority to finance seaweed farmers.

“Nowhere can you find in the Fisheries Code a specific language on financing for the seaweed industry,” said Tabios.

Seaweed is one of the top 10 export winners of the Philippines. In 2008 the value of seaweeds and carageenan exports reached $122 million, according to Department of Agriculture figures.

Indonesia Moves to Cut Business Licensing Time

The Jakarta Globe, Camelia Pasandaran

Attendees participate in a long-distance IFC conference earlier this year in Jakarta. (Antara Photo/Andika Wahyu)

Four ministries and the Indonesia National Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) have signed a joint regulation to slash the time needed to get a business license from 60 to 17 days.

Representatives of the Home Affairs, Trade, Manpower, and Justice and Human Rights Ministries announced the move on Wednesday. The regulation sets time limits for issuing each of the permits required to obtain a business license.

Vice President Boediono said the move was aimed at raising Indonesia’s rank with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which issues regular surveys on the ease of doing business in various countries.

“Indonesia has been left far behind by other countries in the same region in terms of the time needed to issue a business license,” Boediono said. “We rank 161st with 60 days needed to issue it, while Thailand, with only 32 days, ranks 12th.”

It takes only three days to get a license in the Philippines and 11 days in Malaysia.

“The rank influences foreign investors,” said Boediono.

Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi also touted the government’s push to open so-called One Door Integrated Service offices across the nation, which are designed to give would-be businesspeople a single place to go to complete licensing processes involving multiple ministries.

“Last month there were only 299 offices, but we have raised the number to 314,” said Gamawan. He added that Batam would debut an electronic permitting service in January.

Gamawan said the government hoped to raise Indonesia’s rank to somewhere in the 50’s in the IFC’s international survey next year.

“By 2014, we are targeting Indonesia to be in the top 20,” he said.

Fifteen countries to join Tour of Singkarak cycling race

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 04/02/2009 4:06 PM

Fifteen countries have so far expressed commitment to participate in the Tour of Singkarak 2009 cycling race to be held in West Sumatra April 29 to May 3, 2009.

Culture and tourism ministry's director general Sapta Nirwandar said in Jakarta on Thursday that the countries include New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Iran, Australia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and Qatar.

"Around 85 percent of the construction works of new routes for the cycling race has been completed," he said as quoted by Antara state news agency.

Participants of the Tour of Singkarak will cover a total distance of 459 km and compete for a total prize of US$60,000.

The race route is to consist of four segments: Padang-Bukittinggi segment (92.3 km), Bukittinggi-Sawahlunto segment (85.1 km), Sawahlunto-Danau Singkarak segment (90.2 km), and Lake Singkarak- lake Kembar - Lake Singkarak segment (188 km).

The cycling race, which is aimed at promoting tourism in West Sumatra Province, will be accompanied by music concerts, a food festival, and a fun bike event.

West Sumatra Province was visited by a total of 1.4 million tourists, including about 100,000 foreigners, last year, he said.

The province has set a target of receiving at least 1.5 million tourists in 2009.

Indonesia - Libya to Expand Collaboration

Thursday, 26 March, 2009 | 09:16 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Yogyakarta:The governments of Indonesia and Libya recently agreed to expand their existing collaboration. An MoU between the two countries was recently signed by Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and Libyan Social Affairs Minister, Ibrahim A.M. Al Sharif, in Yogyakarta yesterday. “The value trade between Indonesia and Libya trades so far amounts to only US$400 million. This is far from the potential that can be achieved by both countries,” Hassan said.

Hassan said Indonesian companies have a US$ 1.2 billion stake in Libya’s infrastructure and construction projects. Libya is very interested in improving bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, culture, social programs, education and youth. “Libya will be wide open to Indonesian investors,” he said.

Hassan also said that Libya is interested in buying airplanes manufactured by PT Dirgantara Indonesia in Bandung. In order to follow up on the Yogyakarta meeting, the Indonesian Trade Minister will visit Libya on April 3 for further discussions.

Meanwhile, according to Ibrahim, Libya will also pave the way for Indonesia to develop cooperation with African countries that have had good relations with Libya, given Libya’s active support in the development of member countries of the African Union, currently led by Libyan President, Col. Mohammar Khadafi. “We will open wide these opportunities,” Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim also said that the meeting opened the way for both countries to improve collaboration in all sectors. Hassan concurred, saying Indonesia had been collaborating with Libya in global affairs, such as when it was a temporary member of the United Nations’ Security Council two years ago.

Moreover, as fellow members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Indonesia and Libya have been cooperating in seeking a peaceful solution to the decade-long conflict in South Philippines between the Philippines government and Moro rebels. “Libya is a very influential country in Africa and the Middle East, while Indonesian has the same standing in Asia, particularly Southeast Asia,” Hassan said.

The role of the two countries, according to Hassan, can also lead to wider cooperation between Asian and African countries.

MUH SYAIFULLAH

Semen Gresik may acquire a regional rival

Ika Krismantari, THE JAKARTA POST, JAKARTA | Wed, 03/18/2009 10:38 AM

PT Semen Gresik, the country’s largest cement maker, may acquire a 40 percent stake in a regional rival as domestic demand slows and the global economic recession makes assets cheaper.

“At the moment, prices are cheap. We don’t want to lose momentum,” president director Dwi Soetjipto said on Tuesday, adding the company has appointed Credit Suisse Group as acquisition plan adviser.

The targets for this expansion plans are cement companies located in the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia now producing cement at a cost of between US$80 to $90 per metric ton, Dwi added.

Highlighting a decline in global prices of assets, Bloomberg reported that the MSCI AC Asia Pacific Excluding Japan Materials Index, which tracks 65 makers of basic materials including cement and metals, has fallen 52 percent in the past year.

The acquisition plan, according to Dwi, has forced the company to again revise its capital expenditure plan budget to be spent between 2009 and 2012, which had been previously revised down to $1.3 billion, from $1.6 billion earlier.

“We are again reviewing our financial plan and the change can be upward as we try to accommodate the acquisition plan in the budget,” he said, without mentioning figures.

Semen Gresik vice president Heru Adiningrat said the company planned to hold a shareholder meeting in May to seek approval for the plan.

So far, Heru added, the company has selected six firms as possible acquisition targets.

Semen Gresik’s acquisition plan aims to help it retain its revenue growth amidst an expected decline in growth of local demand this year.

Cement producers expect domestic sales to increase by 3 percent this year, lower than about 12 percent growth last year, with some growth continuing thanks in part, according to Dwi, to the government’s Rp 71.3 trillion (around US$6.1 billion) economic stimulus plan.

Semen Gresik may produce 19 million tons of cement this year, around 4 percent higher than last year. It currently is the leader in the country’s cement market with a 44 percent market share.

Dwi said that the company targeted to export 1.5 million tons of cement this year, up from 1 million tons in 2008. Semen Gresik exports its products to South Asia, Africa and Middle Eastern countries.

“There’s room for an increase in domestic sales due to the stimulus package,” Dwi said.

“If domestic demand weakens, we’ll boost exports, but if that fails, we’ll reduce capacity.”

During the press conference, the company also announced a 42 percent increase in net profits last year from a year earlier, to Rp 2.52 trillion from Rp 1.78 trillion, as sales rose, facilitating growth in profits.

It sold 17.66 million tons in 2008, up from 16.9 million ton in 2007.

The publicly listed company is 51.09 percent owned by the government, 24.01 percent by Blue Valley Holdings — a subsidiary of business conglomerate Rajawali Group — and 24.9 percent by the investing public.

World’s Maritime Experts Gather in Manado

Thursday, 12 March, 2009 | 18:08 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The results of the 2009 World Ocean Conference (WOC) in Manado will be brought to the United Nations’ Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark, this December. “The conference in Manado will discuss the role of oceans in the global climate change,” said Indroyono Soesilo, National Committee secretary of the conference, which will take place in May 11 – 15, 2009.

At the 13th Climate Change Conference in Bali on December 2007, the discussion on oceans’ role was minimal. Indonesia then took the initiative to host the WOC. The maritime conference in Manado is the first to take place and is planned to be held annually. Meanwhile, the Climate Change Conference has been held 14 times, the last one being in Poznan, Poland, last December. The conference in Copenhagen is very important as it becomes the new basic reference when the Kyoto Protocol ends.

Until yesterday, 700 delegates from 146 countries confirmed their preparedness to come to Manado, North Sulawesi. Also to attend the event will be the presidents of member countries of the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI), including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. CTI partners, the United States and Australia also plan to attend. However, the US delegation will not be led by President Barack Husein Obama.

One of the WOC’s events will be a symposium on science and international maritime technology. “There will be 32 parallel sessions to discuss 610 papers,” said Aryo Hanggono, Maritime Technology Research Center chief at the Maritime and Fishery Department. Around 300 speakers will come from overseas.

The scientists will discuss various maritime issues, including marine life beings as sharks and stingrays, aqua culture, bio-technology, energy, coelacanth, CO2 sink, health and bio-medic, the Darwin and Wallace theories and the impact of climate change. The conference will also feature exhibitions on science and technology, the maritime industry, maritime festival, and maritime education for the youths in three research ships. According to Aryo, when the conference in Manado is finished, his department will organize maritime campaigns for youths in the country.

UNTUNG WIDYANTO

RI receives $250 million in grants for World Ocean Conference

The Jakarta Post | Fri, 02/27/2009 8:12 PM  

Indonesia has received US$250 million in grants from various countries for the implementation of the World Ocean Conference which will be held in Manado, North Sulawesi, on May 11-15, 2009. 

"Of the total, US$40 million is from the United States," Indroyono Soesilo, chairman of the WOC organizing committee, said in Jakarta on Thursday as quoted by state news agency Antara. 

Six heads of state from member countries of the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) would participate in the CTI Summit to be organized on May 15, in parallel with WOC, he said. 

CTI has six member countries, namely the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Solomon Island. Australia and the United States are observers of CTI. 

He also said that US President Barack Obama had appreciated Indonesia's Coral Triangle Initiative. 

North Sulawesi Governor Sandurajang said his province was ready to receive around 1,500 participants from 121 countries during the WOC 2009. 

The province had constructed new eight star-rated hotels to accommodate the WOC participants, he said. 

Marine experts would discuss efforts to save the marine ecology from the impacts of the global warming during the conference.

WOC Website


Related Article:

CTI initiated by Indonesia: president

San Miguel still keen on Indonesian mining venture

By Donnabelle L. Gatdula, The Philippine Star | 12/12/2008 12:49 PM 

Food and beverage conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is still keen on investing in energy-related businesses abroad, particularly a mining venture in Indonesia. 

In a Platts International Daily Coal Trader Report, it said SMC is still holding discussions with Indonesia-based mining firm Bakrie & Brothers (BNBR) over the sale of Bumi Resources. Platts is the energy publishing arm of the McGraw Hill Group of the US. It covers oil, coal, nuclear, petrochemicals, metals and publishes the Mean of Platts Singapore which is widely used as a benchmark for oil contracts in Asia. 

Bumi owns the Kaltim Prima and Arutmin mines in Kalimantan Island in Indonesia. 

The report said SMC is just waiting for the decision of BNBR. “SMC is in discussion with Bakrie. The ball is now in the hands of Bakrie & Brothers,” it said. 

According to the report, SMC’s admission that it is in talks with the Indonesian firm came after a disclosure by BNBR that it has reached an ageement with Northstar Pacific to form a strategic partnership, transforming the sales and purchase agreement entered on Oct. 31 into a buyout arrangement to take over BNBR’s collateralized assets from a firm called Oddickson Finance. 

However, Platts said the Nov. 28 Bakrie statement stated that no equity sale has yet taken place with regard to Bumi Resources. 

The report quoted the statement of BNBR which said that “By this route, Northstar indirectly retains control of the portfolio assets of BNBR and be in a position to conclude their strategic interest in Bumi Resources.” 

Bakrie, the report said, was also quoted as saying that “significant portion of BNBR’s loan facility provided by Oddickson is being taken over by Northstar which will form the basis to establish a joint venture company with BNBR. This company would,  in turn, own the BNBR collateralized assets presently in custody of Oddickson. BNBR confirms that there is full understanding reached with Northstar for this strategic partnering arrangement which would be in the best interest of the stakeholders of BNBR and Northstar.” 

SMC disclosed its planned venture with the Indonesian mining company early last month. 

Aside from BNBR, SMC has bought stocks of the country’s largest privately-owned power distribution company, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco). 

Southeast Asia’s largest food and drinks corporation is also taking a majority stake in Petron Corp., the Philippines’ largest oil refiner. 

Forming a new unit solely for its energy ventures (San Miguel Energy Corp.), SMC it also has plans to bid for the 10- percent stake of state-owned PNOC-Exploration Corp. in the Malampaya gas project. 

SMC also participated in the bidding of some assets of the National Power Corp. (Napocor), including the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) and in the sale of PNOC-Energy Development Corp.

Philippines` San Miguel seeks to buy Indonesian coal firm

Manila (ANTARA News) - San Miguel Corp. of the Philippines said Thursday it is in talks to buy a controlling stake in top Indonesian coal producer PT Bumi Resources. 

"We confirm that the company is interested in acquiring at least 51 percent of PT Bumi Resources. Discussions on the transaction are ongoing," listed San Miguel, Southeast Asia's largest food and beverage group, was quoted by AFP as telling the Philippine Stock Exchange in a disclosure statement. 

San Miguel has sold off several units, including National Foods of Australia, to amass a cash pile in a drive to enter into businesses with high growth potential. 

It earlier announced it would acquire the state pension fund Government Service Insurance System's 27 percent stake in top power distributor Manila Electric Co. 

It also wants to buy the Philippine government's 40 percent stake in top oil refiner Petron Corp. 

Bumi Resources operates the Kaltim Prima and Arutmin mines in Indonesia, the world's largest thermal coal exporter, as well as an oil exploration unit in Yemen called Gallo Oil.

Citra Marga to build $195m turnpike in the Philippines

Ika Krismantari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta 

Citra Marga Nusaphala Persada (CMNP), a publicly listed toll operator, plans to build a turnpike in the Philippines with a total investment of US$195 million. 

Director of operations Hudaya Arryanto said over the weekend the project would start early next year and was scheduled to be completed in 2010. 

The project, known as Metro Manila Skyway, is the company's second project in the Philippines. CMNP will build a toll road connecting Bicutan to Alabang with a total length of 6.8 kilometer. 

The first one involves the construction of a 13.5-kilometer toll road connecting Buendia and Bicutan regions. The company has a 21 percent stake in the two projects. 

"We are in talks with a number of local banks in the Philippines to provide loans for the project," Hudaya said, without naming the banks. 

Aside from the projects in the Philippines, the company also has projects in Malaysia. 

On the domestic front, the company's ongoing projects include Cawang-Tanjung Priok turnpike (North South Link) -- a section of Tanjung Priok Port-Jembatan Tiga (Harbor Road) and Surabaya Eastern Ring Road tollway. 

It plans to start the construction of a Depok-Antasari turnpike with a total length of 22.8 kilometers by the end of this year. 

With its domestic and overseas projects, the company expects a net profit of Rp 120 billion ($11.4 million) this year, having recorded Rp 92 billion in net profit in the first nine months of the year. 

Formerly controlled by the eldest daughter of former president Suharto, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, CMNP is now 58.3 percent owned by the public. 

State toll road operator and builder PT Jasa Marga also owns about 17.8 percent stake in the company.