September 20, 2016 edition
When the economy is in a prolonged slump, only the central bank can move the market. So once again, markets will keep their eyes glued on the US and Japanese central banks. On September 20-21, both the Bank of Japan (BoJ) and the US Federal Reserve (Fed), will convene and, no doubt, this will raise the pace of investors' pulse.
The outcome of these two meetings, on opposing sides of the globe, will determine the fate of world markets. The announcement from Japan, due to its earlier time zone, will be the first to move markets. Half a day later, all eyes and ears will be on Janet Yellen, head of the US Fed. There are also two central issues. In Japan, investors will see whether the quantitative easing (QE), wherein the central bank prints money to buy government and corporate bonds, will continue. While in the US, once again, the speculations of a Fed rate hike will be the main focus.
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September 13, 2016 edition
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August 30, 2016 edition
At his home in Kampung Rawa, Jakarta, Hairiah has a business that supplements his income as an optician: He sells basic commodities at Elektronik Warung Gotong Royong (e-Warong), a 'store' complete with ATMs to serve the disbursement of social assistance funds.
As a result, Johar Baru residents are able to obtain welfare assistance for rice, sugar, cooking oil and wheat flour with just a swipe of the Family Welfare Card (KKS). With an electronic data capture (EDC) equipment from Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), Hairiah can also serve KKS holders who want to pay electricity, telephone, or water billseven loan installments. "They come in, swipe their cards and bring home the goods," Hairiah said last Tuesday.
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August 23, 2016 edition
August 9, 2016 edition