Logistics Cost Reduction, Anticipate Flood of Paper and Medicine Imports, F&B Innovation

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The following is important information related to the development of the business universe that needs attention today based on the curation of the SUAR Team.

Rely on Rail and Maritime Transportation to Reduce Logistics Costs

Logistics costs in Indonesia still account for 14.29% of national GDP, resulting in our country being ranked 63rd out of 118 countries according to the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index. The use of rail transportation and maritime fleets can reduce logistics costs.
As an archipelago, 91.25% of Indonesia's logistics transportation mode is still land transportation, while maritime transportation is only 7.07%, rail 0.63%, and air 0.05%. In fact, if the capacity of the last three modes can be increased, it will greatly reduce the burden on roads and increase efficiency.

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Pharmaceutical Raw Materials Import is Still High, Need to Find the Right Solution

Indonesia still faces severe challenges in the pharmaceutical industry. Namely, dependence on imported raw materials. There is no independence of medicinal raw materials. Imports of raw materials are very high due to the undeveloped upstream pharmaceutical industry, limited local raw materials and not in accordance with standards.
One of the companies that has taken the initiative to develop the upstream pharmaceutical industry of drug raw materials is PT Kalbe Farma Tbk. Its subsidiary, PT Livzon Pharma Indonesia, is investing US$ 40 million (around Rp 650 billion) to build anactive pharmaceutical ingredients (API) factory in Greenland International Industrial Center (GIIC), Kota Deltamas, Cikarang, West Java.

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Chinese Paper Floods Domestic Market, Industry Prepares for Anticipation

Imports of paper products from China have surged this year, even though domestic production is considered sufficient to meet domestic needs. Based on data from the Ministry of Industry, pulp and paper imports in the first semester of 2025 reached USD 1.69 billion. This figure increased when compared to the same period last year of USD 1.53 billion. The types of imported products that enter Indonesia are ivory and duplex paper used for packaging.

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A Look at Innovation in the Food and Beverage Industry

The development of technology has led to the innovation of various food and beverage products. Various unique products are a way to attract consumers. From the processed food sector, Bandung-based brand Battenberg Tiga Indonesia featured healthy brownies made from local ingredients. Another brand, Havilla Tea, focused on premium teas from various regions in Indonesia, with three main categories: single origin, blended, and herbal. From Surabaya, Parrot was present as one of the national chocolate producers that has been established since 1995 under PT Multi Aneka Pangan Nusantara. The company produces various types of chocolate, ranging from compound, paste, mesis, to powder, with distribution covering the whole of Indonesia as well as overseas markets.

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The Long Road of Rupiah Redenomination Discourse

The discourse on rupiah redenomination by cutting three zeros (Rp 1,000 to Rp 1) has strengthened again after being included in the Minister of Finance Regulation Number 70 of 2025. This time the discourse is driven by the need for modernization and efficiency of the financial system in the digital era. Throughout history, Indonesia has never recorded a currency redenomination. However, Indonesia has carried out sanering strategies in 1962 and 1965. In contrast to redenomination, sanering at that time was carried out as a strategy to control soaring inflation so that cutting the nominal value of the currency had an impact on the value of the currency and helped suppress public consumption.
Other than Indonesia, a number of other countries have redenominated and proved successful because they were supported by strong stabilization programs. In Romania (2005), for example, the program was considered successful due to strict supervision from the European Union so that impacts such as inflation and public confidence in the financial system were maintained. Romania's redenomination also facilitated the process of converting the Romanian currency to the euro because the financial system was more efficient.

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National Investment Forum (FIN) 2025. The strategic event, which carries the theme "Cooperation between Government, Business, and Academia in Increasing Value-Added Investment and Green Economy", will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, starting at 08.00 WIB, taking place offline at the Pullman Bandung Grand Central Hotel, Bandung City, West Java. The forum will feature a number of key speakers from the government, state-owned enterprises, and academia. Namely, Todotua Pasaribu (Deputy Minister of Investment/Deputy Head of BKPM), Dedy Mulyadi (Governor of West Java), Teddy Oetomo (President Director of PT Merdeka Battery Materials Tbk), M. Firdauz Muttaqin (Executive Director of Bank Indonesia Regional Dept), and representatives from Kadin Indonesia. Information related to registration and other event details can be accessed through BKPM's official Instagram social media.

DPR Work Meeting Agenda. There are several important DPR RI agendas on Thursday, November 13, 2025. One of them is the Working Meeting (Raker) of Commission V DPR RI with the Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas, which is scheduled to take place at 13.00 WIB. This meeting agenda focuses on discussing strategic issues related to work programs, policies, and budgets in the housing sector and the development of residential areas. Another agenda of Commission V of the House of Representatives on the same date is a Hearing Meeting (RDP) with the Director General of IKMA (Small, Medium and Miscellaneous Industries) and associations starting at 10.00 WIB. Other agenda information can be accessed directly through the DPR RI's official website.