Riffrag Business & Finance Report

Nearly three-quarters of corporate chief executives (chief executive officer / CEO) of the world view that economic growth is not stable as a potential threat to their business within the next 12 months. In addition, nearly one-third of CEOs say that they are ‘very concerned’ by global economic outlook.

Annual survey titled PwC PricewaterhouseCoopers 14th Annual Global CEO survey says about 61 percent of respondents from among the top executives were assessing other common threats that will be faced is the government’s reaction to the fiscal deficit.

Additionally, 60 percent of CEOs worry that overlapping regulation, the threat of exchange rate volatility (54 percent), and capital market conditions are unstable (52 percent) and protection (40 percent). Meanwhile, the specter of inflation revealed by less than a third of respondents.

Among the threats to the CEO’s business, 56 percent of respondents worried about the availability of talent is required, followed by an increase in taxes (55 percent), and a permanent shift in consumer behavior (48 percent).

“The lack of potential talent of special concern in Asia Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa,” PwC said quoting the survey results.

Other global risks disclosed CEOs including political instability (58 percent), scarcity of natural resources (34 percent), climate change (27 percent), and natural disasters (25 percent).

For that, almost half of CEOs said the government’s priority should be emphasized in state infrastructure improvements. In addition, the government of a country is expected to create and maintain a skilled workforce, and ensuring the stability of the financial sector and access to affordable capital.

“More than 60 percent of CEOs agree that public spending cuts or tax increases would slow economic growth in their countries,” writes the results of the survey.

In fact, 53 percent of CEOs say their companies will increase the tax consequences of the government reaction to increase the public debt. Just over a third of CEOs say their companies have made strategic changes due to public spending cuts or tax increases both domestically and abroad.

Responding to the survey results, Chief Economist of PT Bank Danamon Tbk, Anton Gunawan, say, a number of global CEOs mainly from western countries are still worried about the investment climate constraints in some countries of the world.

“Not to mention, they still faced with the conditions of corporate recovery (post-shocks of economic crisis),” said Anton told VIVAnews.com in Jakarta.

Anton rate, especially in Indonesia, direct investment from European companies and the United States is not as big as business expansion coming from Asia. “If from Asia, many Korean firms, China, Japan, and India to Indonesia,” he said.

However, according to him, to invest in portfolio, a number of world companies have been so heavily into the country since last year. “Unlike a direct investment, portfolio foreign investment into Indonesia has been a lot,” he said.

PwC survey was conducted with 1201 respondents CEO interviews in 69 countries in the last quarter of 2010. Viewed from the region, as many as 420 interviews were conducted in Western Europe, 257 (Asia Pacific), 221 (Latin America), 148 (North America), 98 (Eastern Europe), and 57 in the Middle East and Africa.

Countries in Asia-Pacific consists of Australia (40), China (39), Hong Kong (7), India (40), Indonesia (1), Japan (75), Korea (15), Malaysia ((11), Singapore (4), Taiwan (10), Thailand (5), Vietnam (10).

JAKARTA – Policy Institute for Procurement of Goods / Services (LKPP) projected funding needs for the acceleration of the implementation of an electronic auction of goods and services (e-procurement) approximately Rp1, 5 trillion-Rp2 trillion.

Plt Head LKPP Agus Rahardjo said, if the funds of this magnitude for the acceleration of e-procurement can be completed in two years. According to him, the acceleration of the implementation of e-procurement within the framework of efficiency and effectiveness of state financial budget on the procurement of goods / services is very possible.

“But indeed, this requires no small cost. We never counted, if they want to finish in two years, the budget could Rp1, 5 trillion-Rp2 trillion,” said Agus, a statement to okezone, in Jakarta, Tuesday (22 / 6 / 2010).

Agus explained, is to calculate the acceleration of the implementation of the availability of electronic auction facility in any government agencies both national and local. Rp2 trillion fund to help cover server and finance human resource training to each agency.

However, call Agus, until recently the allocation of expenditure for the accelerated implementation of e-procurement is still relatively low. This year, for example, the development of e-procurement e-procurement directorate carried LKPP budget receives only Rp14, 9 billion.

Still, said Agus, the performance of the implementation of e-procurement has significant impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the procurement budget in recent years.

“Presentation saving reaches 15 percent in 2008, and 17 percent in 2009, and 15 percent on average the first five months of 2010 with the potential to continue to rise considering the realization of the auction in a few months remaining in 2010,” he explained.

Data e-procurement implementation progress LKPP noted, the realization of the procurement package through an electronic auction package worth Rp4 reached 2692, 025 trillion until the first week in June 2010. This electronic auction conducted 120 local agencies by utilizing central-56 Electronic Procurement Service (LPSE) spread in 23 provinces.

Electronic auction continued to increase compared to the realization of the previous years. In 2009 for instance, the realization of an electronic auction package worth Rp3 reached 1725, 37 trillion, up from the 33 packages valued at Rp52, 5 billion.

Growth efficiency of the budget also continues to increase with an average of 16 percent. In 2008, the difference reaches a maximum and auction results Rp6, 6 billion, then rose to Rp518 billion and Rp395, 5 billion in the first five months of 2010.

Electronic Procurement Director Ikak G Patriastomo said the implementation of an electronic auction is increasing from year to year. “Though it has not become a liability, the development of e-procurement implementation is very encouraging and the results are very promising,” he said.

Ikak calculation based, total package procurement until today has reached 4720 package worth Rp8 trillion. But once offered through an electronic auction, he explained, achieved savings of approximately Rp1 trillion entire procurement package.

According Ikak, implementation of electronic auction even got high appreciation from the local government. In 2010, the Province of West Java is still the first rank of the total auction package that facilitated electronic auction, as many as 806 packages, far above the auction package through the Ministry of Finance as many as 155 LPSE package

WASHINGTON – U.S. economic activity (U.S.) in 12 states in February rose moderately. Economy predicted even better if not the snow storms in some areas.

“Economic conditions continued to grow since the last report, although a bad snowstorm in early February has resulted in activity in several districts paralyzed,” said Federal Reserve (Fed), in an official report (Beige Book) Wednesday. The level of loss of employment in the agricultural sector rose in February. This means, there has been the highest decrease in the services sector over the last two years.

While production rose two-thirds of U.S. production. The Fed said the labor market shocks current weak economic conditions continue to grow. Data Thursday (26/2/2010) and shows the level of unemployment benefit claims rose to its highest level for three months. But, there is a trend that the claim has reached the top.

Recent data unemployment claims will be the final decision in a monthly government report. This report is a key indicator of economic momentum. Analysts rate, severe winter in some areas make hard economic data to reference. “Upcoming employment data are influenced two snow storms that occurred in the survey area,” said Robert Brusca of FAO Economics.

Although some predict the growth occurred in semester II/2009, economists assess the labor market under challenge berat.Tahun contraction in 2009 was the year in which the struggling economy to achieve sustained recovery from the worst crisis for a decade. U.S. growth in 2009 donated more than government spending and implement Fed policy rates near zero.

The data the U.S. Labor Department in February to give a bit of fresh air. Most analysts predict the unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent from the position in January 9.7 percent. While the loss rate in non-agricultural wage unchanged at 20,000. The main index of strengthening the service sector showed better than forecast in February.

This sparked speculation that the recovery occurs in stages. The Institute of Supply Management explained, purchasing managers index (PMI) nonmanufaktur jumped 2.5 percent to 53 percent. Nonmanufaktur performance surpassed the previous forecast of economists estimate rises to 51 percent. As is known, the above figures indicate a 50 percent growth.

Analysts assess the performance of key sectors in the month of February is the highest in two years last. “V-shaped recovery occurs earlier in the manufacturing sector, and service sector now starting up as well,” said the FT Advisors Chief Economist Brian Wesbury.

ADP payroll advisory company reported that the number of termination of employment (FLE) conducted the private sector in February fell to 20,000 workers compared to 60,000 recorded in January pekerja.Ryan Sweet of Moody’s Economy.com ADP report is considered appropriate.

“Describing how the workers get an appropriate salary without interference from the storm,” he said. According to Ryan, ADP payroll calculations are actual, as opposed to survey the U.S. Government. “ADP survey also calculates a short-term leave of absence during the storm,” he explained. Beige Book report that made the Fed gives a bad picture of the labor market.

“While some districts reported an increase of new employment or a drop in layoffs, the general labor market across the country is still weak. This provides a weak pressure on wages, “the Fed report said, which will be used by the Federal Free Market Committee (FOMC) as a basis for policy decisions on March 16 next.

While Brian Bethune of Global Insight IHS argued, the U.S. central bank to signal that the economic momentum in the late 2009 improvements. He predicts the Fed will keep monetary policy accommodative, including low interest rates until the end of 2010. “As seen increased economic momentum, excess plant capacity and the labor market is still waiting to use,” he explained.

Fed Sanction Limit Credit Card

Last Wednesday the Fed proposed the new rules to strengthen consumer protection on the arrogance of the credit card issuer, including limiting the number of penalties and higher interest rates. Credit card issuers are prohibited wearing a penalty for late payment.

For example, credit card issuers are prohibited wearing a $ 39 penalty if the holder fails to carry out a credit card minimum payments USD20.Penerbit may impose sanctions only for $ 20. “These new rules to prevent credit card issuers impose large penalties for small mistakes made and revise plan of consumer interest is rising earlier this year,” said Federal Reserve Board Governor Elizabeth Duke, in an official statement.

The same thing said U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. He had denounced the financial policy can not provide protection against consumer protection. Have independent authority to ensure consumer protection. “The U.S. needs an independent authority, accountable, and effective,” said Geithner told the U.S. Parliament.

JAKARTA – The rise of personnel at the Directorate General (Directorate General) The tax involved in a number of cases makes the Minister of Finance Agus Martowardojo chills.

However, he did not want to be hasty in taking action because it embraces the principle of presumption of innocence, but still must be firm if indeed there are strong indications in the direction of fraud.

“Government continues to uphold the presumption of innocence, but must take decisive action on the employee and the employee (who snagged the case),” said Agus Martowardojo Finance Minister in the Office of Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Jalan Banteng Square, Jakarta, Monday (06/21/2010) night.

To avoid all forms of deviation in the Directorate General of Taxes, it will be more intensive in strengthening internal control systems for believing there is no similar acts of fraud that goes on.

“We provide direction related to the relationship of law enforcement to work together well. If an internal linked, Inspector General must be signed and related systems must be repaired,” he said.

Just to remind, increasingly widespread in the environmental case law mafia Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) seems to be making infuriated a number of officers within Kemenkeu. No doubt, if it has established cooperation with the police to see and examine the development of such a case, especially with a name called and how the mode, and its consequences on the working procedures of the Directorate General of Taxes

JAKARTA – Not too draft law ratifying the Financial Sector Safety Net (JPSK) and Financial Sector Authority (OJK), making the government will soon submit the draft Exemption JPSK back to the President. Exemption filing this as a legal umbrella to anticipate the threat of hurricane crisis.

“We’re with BI are both seen JPSK should become law. But if the Act is still needed time, go to the House, we are prepared if necessary to Perppu JPSK. If it’s the worst thing happens, we ask Perppu draft to the president,” said Minister of Finance Agus Martowardojo in the Office of Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Jalan Banteng Square, Jakarta, Monday (06/21/2010) night.

In addition to issuing Perpu, another precaution is the Government and the Bank have agreed to carry out the protocol for the control of the crisis will be run, including an early warning signal.

“The draft Law JPSJ enter. If there is anything, we must ask Perppu. Is important we have put forward a plan. Accepted or not that’s the process further,” he added.

Later, the Ministry of Finance and Bank Indonesia will conduct deeper discussions related to the discussion OJK, where the BI is still concerned about the overlap in supervision.

“The Ministry of Finance will have a special bilateral meeting with Bill OJK BI discuss in depth,” he said