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Hello reader,
People tend to get (understandably) frustrated when things completely beyond their control cause issues in their life. But I think it’s fair to say that we also sometimes benefit or get help from such circumstances.
Today’s premium article posits that Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency – something no one in Indonesia had a hand in – could lead to economic advantages for the country.
But it’s not typically random or external events that determine how well we do in life, and the tack that Indonesia has taken with Apple and its investments into the market could lead to far-reaching improvements.
A bit of luck, a dash of smarts, and lots of hard work. That’s how we get by.
Today we look at:
- How Trump and Apple could give Indonesia a boost
- The US$9 million pre-series B round of a digital logistics firm
- Other newsy highlights such as the growing relationship between AI and books and encouraging EV usage in Qatar
Premium summary
How Indonesia is inserting itself into the global economy
Image credit: Timmy Loen
The US elections were obviously an emotional, tumultuous time for its citizens. While those living halfway across the world didn’t go through the same rollercoaster, its results still reverberate here.
If Trump’s return is a boon for Indonesia’s economy, it must feel like a gift that blew onto its doorstep from a hurricane happening so far away.
- Trump vs. the Middle Kingdom: The US president-elect’s hawkish stance against China could lead to opportunities for Indonesia to attract foreign investment. For example, the archipelago could be an alternative manufacturing hub.
- Indonesia vs Apple: Indonesia’s local content regulations, as exemplified by the iPhone 16 sales ban, are forcing multinational corporations to invest meaningfully in the domestic economy. This stimulates the country’s industrial development and technology transfer, boosting its competitiveness in the global market.
- Gotta work on myself, too: To maximize this opportunity, Indonesia needs to pour money into workforce development and infrastructure improvements. This will help the country meet the demands of foreign investors and successfully integrate into global supply chains.
Read more: How Trump and Apple could ignite Indonesia’s industrial growth
Efficiency earns funding
Quick bytes
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