News - Middle East Tensions Escalate, Investors Rush to Buy Gold

Middle East Tensions Escalate, Investors Rush to Buy Gold

Mar, 03 2026

Jakarta - The escalating tensions in the Middle East have prompted investors to start flocking to gold commodities. They are shifting their portfolios into gold as a safe-haven asset.

KCM Trade Chief Market Analyst Tim Waterer said gold is likely to become the commodity of choice for investors amid the Middle East conflict.

“Gold is likely to be more sought after than usual when markets open on Monday. Given the risks surrounding how long the conflict may last, which other countries could be drawn in, and inflation concerns, gold is expected to assume its role as the safe-haven asset of choice,” Waterer said, as quoted by Reuters on Monday (March 2, 2026).

According to him, stock markets and other risk assets are likely to face heavy selling pressure at the start of the week. “Investors will look for the best place to park their funds, and gold will likely be at the top of that list,” Waterer emphasized.

Marex analyst Edward Meir predicted that a surge in gold prices could occur soon as a natural market response to the outbreak of war. He forecast that gold prices could jump by US$200 per troy ounce at the opening of trading early this week.

“I think we could open about $200 per ounce higher in gold, but then prices may ease throughout the day,” Edward Meir explained.

The key focus for investors is whether oil flows will be disrupted. This will be a crucial factor in determining whether investors fully move into safe-haven assets.

Market analyst at City Index and Forex.com, Fawad Razaqzada, projected that gold prices could reach a record level of US$5,600 per troy ounce, or around Rp3 million per gram, amid the war in the Middle East.

“There will be increased demand for gold as a safe-haven asset, which could push prices back up toward US$5,500 and possibly to a new record high above the January peak of around US$5,600,” Razaqzada said.

However, gains beyond those levels could be limited by a potential rebound in the US dollar, as well as if crude oil prices remain significantly elevated.

[Source]

Textile Industry Investment Reaches IDR 304.4 Billion in Q1 2025, Absorbs 1,907 Workers

The Directorate of Textile, Leather, and Footwear Industry of the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) noted that throughout January-March 2025, it had issued Business Certificates (SKU) for four textile and apparel industries. The total investment reached IDR 304.43 billion, which is estimated to absorb 1,907 workers. The textile, apparel, and footwear industry continues to show positive performance, in line with its role as a priority sector in the 2025–2045 National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN). The government is committed to encouraging the growth of this industry in order to strengthen national competitiveness and create extensive employment opportunities. The latest data shows that in 2024, the growth of the textile, apparel, and leather and leather goods industries reached 0.09 percent, 5.78 percent, and 6.83 percent, respectively. This solid performance is also supported by a significant increase in investment, both from Foreign Investors (PMA) and Domestic Investors (PMDN). In 2023, total investment in this sector will reach IDR 29.92 trillion, while in 2024 it will increase sharply by 31.1 percent to IDR 39.21 trillion. "This increase in investment reflects investor confidence in the prospects of the textile, apparel, and footwear industry in Indonesia. Especially in the apparel industry, which is a labor-intensive industry, investment has increased drastically from IDR 4.53 trillion in 2023 to IDR 10.20 trillion in 2024, an increase of 124.9 percent," said Director of the Textile, Leather, and Footwear Industry, Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) Rizky Aditya Wijaya in his statement, Monday (17/3). With Indonesia's large population, reaching 281.6 million people (BPS, 2024), the prospects for the textile and footwear industry remain promising. The average per capita expenditure of Indonesians for clothing, footwear, and headgear in the period March 2020–March 2024 reached IDR 35,457 per month. Thus, the potential domestic market is estimated to reach IDR 119.82 trillion. In addition, export opportunities are also increasingly wide open. The new tariff policy implemented by the United States against Canada, Mexico, and the People's Republic of China (PRC) is a strategic momentum for Indonesia to expand its market share in Uncle Sam's country. In 2024, total imports of apparel and footwear from the United States reached USD 138.19 billion, of which the PRC dominated with a value of USD 38.04 billion (29.2 percent). Meanwhile, Indonesia's exports to the United States in the same year reached USD 7.11 billion or around 5.5 percent of total US imports. "Indonesia recorded a growth in apparel and footwear exports to the United States of 7.5 percent from USD 6.61 billion in 2023 to USD 7.11 billion in 2024. With the change in tariff policy in the US, our export opportunities are getting bigger, and this is an opportunity for the national industry to increase competitiveness in the global market," he added. Seeing the great potential in both domestic and international markets, the Ministry of Industry continues to strive to strengthen the textile and footwear industry ecosystem through various strategic policies. Several steps that are being taken include increasing production efficiency, adopting environmentally friendly technology, and supporting the expansion of export markets. With full support from the government and the commitment of industry players, the textile, apparel, and footwear sector in Indonesia is ready to continue to grow, create jobs, and strengthen its position as a major player in the global industrial arena. [SOURCE]

Apr, 09 2025

The investment value in Purwakarta in 2025 will reach IDR 12.47 trillion

Purwakarta (ANTARA) - Purwakarta Regent Saepul Bahri Binzein stated that investment realization in Purwakarta Regency, West Java, throughout 2025 was quite encouraging, reaching approximately IDR 12.47 trillion. "The investment realization in 2025 exceeded the established target. Hopefully, investment in Purwakarta will continue to increase this year," the regent said in Purwakarta on Wednesday. According to data from the Purwakarta Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency, investment realization from January to December 2025 reached IDR 12.47 trillion, or 111.36 percent of the target of IDR 11.20 trillion. Of the total investment realization, domestic investment dominated, amounting to IDR 9.58 trillion, or 76.80 percent. Foreign investment contributed IDR 2.89 trillion, or 23.20 percent. The Regent stated that the investment realization achievement was quite positive and encouraging. This is because increased investment usually accompanies economic growth and increased labor absorption. According to him, this will certainly help address unemployment in the Purwakarta region. So, in addition to contributing to economic growth, high investment realization also has a direct impact on employment. Throughout 2025, investment activities in Purwakarta successfully absorbed 10,802 Indonesian workers, consisting of 6,870 workers from foreign investment and 3,932 workers from domestic investment. The Purwakarta Regency Government, the regent stated, will remain committed to maintaining a conducive investment climate by improving the quality of licensing services that are easy, fast, and transparent. He stated that this investment achievement is expected to encourage sustainable economic growth, expand job opportunities, and improve the welfare of the Purwakarta community. [SOURCE]

Jan, 29 2026

Domestic Direct Investment (PMDN) Grows 74%, a Key Driver of Investment Success in West Java

PROJABAR.COM - Behind West Java's achievement as the province with the highest national investment realization lies a success story of resurgent domestic investor confidence. Data from the third quarter of 2025 shows that Domestic Investment (PMDN) in West Java reached IDR 41.8 trillion, a remarkable 74.33% jump compared to the same period in 2024. This confirms that domestic business confidence in West Java's economic climate is strengthening. The Head of the West Java Provincial Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP), Dedi Taufik, stated that investor confidence in West Java remains high. "A conducive business climate, infrastructure support, and expedited licensing services continue to be the main factors maintaining this positive momentum," he said. West Java's PMDN contribution reached 15% of the total national PMDN, which still dominates Indonesia's investment landscape with a 56.9% share. Meanwhile, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi highlighted the importance of digitalization and infrastructure in supporting a healthy investment climate. He stated that the digitalization of job vacancies has been progressing well, making it easier for people to be absorbed in new investment-generating sectors. Furthermore, the increasingly well-organized transportation network, from land, sea, and air, has significantly improved logistics efficiency. Despite the rapid growth of domestic investment (PMDN), foreign investment (PMA) also demonstrated solid performance, reaching USD 2.2 billion. West Java remains a primary destination for foreign investors, contributing 16.7% to total national FDI. This foreign investment primarily comes from Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong, with a focus on the manufacturing, information and communications, trade, and real estate sectors. This achievement demonstrates that the West Java Provincial Government's strategy to foster an investment climate has yielded results. The synergy between easy licensing, adequate infrastructure, and a sense of security for businesses is a key ingredient that not only attracts foreign capital but also empowers domestic investors. [SOURCE]

Dec, 17 2025

State Budget Performance Remains Strong, Catalyzing Economic Growth in West Java

KBRN, Bandung: The performance of the State Budget (APBN) in the West Java region until August 31, 2025, recorded positive and stable results. The Regional Office of the Directorate General of Treasury (DJPb) of West Java Province released the regional APBN surplus achievement of IDR 11.58 trillion, with total revenue reaching IDR 90.11 trillion or 58.53% of the target, and expenditure realization of IDR 78.54 trillion or 64.18% of the ceiling. The Head of the West Java Regional Office of the DJPb, Fahma Sari Fatma, said that state revenue grew by 5.31% year-on-year. This growth was mainly driven by tax revenue, particularly from income tax (PPh), excise, and other taxes. However, several types of taxes, such as PPh Articles 21 and 22 and domestic VAT, experienced a contraction. The decline in domestic VAT was due to a decrease in the contribution of large taxpayers, an increase in refunds, and a decline in public consumption. On the other hand, revenue from the Customs and Excise sector has reached IDR 19.66 trillion or 64.25% of the target, supported by 5.06% growth in excise revenue, including the impact of the policy to relax the 90-day deferral of HT excise payments. The realization of Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) also recorded positive performance, namely Rp5.20 trillion or 95.17% of the target, experiencing a growth of 10.50% (yoy). This growth was supported by other PNBP which rose 16.95% and BLU revenue which rose 4.42%. This shows the increasingly optimal utilization of government assets and services to generate revenue. "In terms of state expenditure, by the end of August 2025, Rp78.54 trillion had been realized, or 64.18% of the ceiling of Rp122.36 trillion. Although it shows nominal growth, the annual expenditure of Ministries/Institutions (K/L) experienced a slowdown of 24.16% compared to the previous year, especially in goods and capital expenditure due to budget efficiency policies," said Fahmi, in a press conference on Monday (9/29/2025). However, the performance of transfers to regions and village funds (TKDD) was quite solid. Regional transfers reached Rp49.37 trillion (69.04%) and village funds reached Rp5.59 trillion (88.21%). This was one of the factors driving better state spending compared to the previous year. Overall, TKDD realization reached Rp54.96 trillion or 70.60% of the ceiling. National priority programs also continue to run and have a real impact on the people of West Java. Among them, the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) has reached 1.37 million beneficiaries in 27 districts/cities. In addition, the FLPP program has reached 38 thousand beneficiaries in 1,576 locations. Other programs such as People's Schools, KUR, UMi, and school revitalization have also shown significant achievements in promoting welfare and human development. From a macroeconomic perspective, West Java's economic growth in the second quarter of 2025 reached 5.23% (yoy) with a GRDP of Rp459.80 trillion. Inflation in August 2025 was recorded at 1.77% (yoy) with a consumer price index (CPI) of 108.79. The city of Sukabumi recorded the highest inflation at 3.54%, while Bandung Regency recorded the lowest at 1.46%. West Java's trade balance in July 2025 also recorded a surplus of USD 2.47 billion, with total exports reaching USD 3.51 billion and imports USD 1.03 billion. Cumulatively from January to July 2025, non-oil and gas trade with the United States recorded a surplus of USD 3.40 billion, while trade with China and Taiwan still experienced a deficit. Although West Java's Farmer Exchange Rate (NTP) declined by 0.53% to 115.61 in August 2025, this was mainly due to falling agricultural commodity prices. However, rice prices actually showed an increase at the milling level. The government continues to monitor these developments to maintain balance. Amid global challenges such as geopolitical conflicts, commodity price fluctuations, and market uncertainty, the government remains committed to maintaining fiscal stability and sustainability. The performance of the state budget in West Java until August 2025 is considered “on track” and will continue to be optimized as a catalyst for economic growth and a foundation in supporting national priority programs. [SOURCE]

Dec, 15 2025

BKPM: Three Achievements From Investment Realization October 2019 - June 2024

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Investment/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Rosan Perkasa Roeslani revealed that there were three achievements created from investment realization for the period October 2019 to June 2024. Rosan said that based on data from the Ministry of Investment/BKPM, there were three achievements made from investment realization for the period October 2019 to June 2024. First, there was an increase in investment realization during the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet period compared to the same period before. "During the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet period (2019) until June 2024, there was investment realization of IDR 5,931.3 trillion, which is estimated by the end of September 2024 to reach IDR 6,350 trillion, with an average investment growth of 18 percent per year," he said in Jakarta, Monday. Second, during the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet period, in terms of direct job creation, this investment absorbed 7,188,479 Indonesian workers, or an average of 1,437,695 workers per year. Third, equal distribution of investment, where since the third quarter of 2020, investment realization outside Java has always been higher compared to investment on Java. "The achievement of this realization shows that the policies issued by the government have been responded to very well, responded very positively, so that based on the distribution of this investment since 2020, many have been outside Java," said Rosan. The service innovations implemented by these new winners not only have a positive impact on the local investment climate, but also increase the competitiveness of their regions at the national level. This reflects that the standard of investment services in Indonesia is increasingly high, with many regional governments and ministries continuing to strive to improve their performance and services to attract more investors. (SOURCE)

Oct, 01 2024

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