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James Guild (@JamesJGuild) profile picture

James Guild

@JamesJGuild

Adjunct Fellow RSIS. PhD in Int. Political Economy. Contributor to Pacific Money blog at The Diplomat. Bylines in East Asia Forum, Inside Indonesia, New Mandala

 Indonesia
jamesjguild.com
Joined May 2016
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Photo by James Guild (@JamesJGuild)Photo by James Guild (@JamesJGuild)Photo by James Guild (@JamesJGuild)Photo by James Guild (@JamesJGuild)Photo by James Guild (@JamesJGuild)Photo by James Guild (@JamesJGuild)Photo by James Guild (@JamesJGuild)Photo by James Guild (@JamesJGuild)Photo by James Guild (@JamesJGuild)Photo by James Guild (@JamesJGuild)
Indonesia has the largest raw nickel ore deposits in the world, and it's increasingly been leveraging that fact to boost investment in the downstream sector and make itself an indispensable part of the EV supply chain. New piece for @east_asia_forum. eastasiaforum.org/2021/03/30…
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To Import or Build? That, is the question. thediplomat.com/2026/10/to-i…
To Import or Build? Southeast Asia’s Rolling Stock Dilemma

To Import or Build? Southeast Asia’s Rolling Stock Dilemma

Some of the region’s governments are moving toward manufacturing their own rolling stock – but this comes with trade-offs.

thediplomat.com
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Food in Surabaya never misses
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Digital banks in Indonesia are growing fast! Some of them, anyway. I discuss which ones are growing and why👇👇 thediplomat.com/2026/08/for-…
For Indonesia’s Digital Banks, It’s All About Who You Know

For Indonesia’s Digital Banks, It’s All About Who You Know

The sector has experienced rapid growth in the past few years, and three large banks are firmly in the lead.

thediplomat.com
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@ Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia
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Took the big LRT all the way to the end of the line then took the KRL back to Jakarta but had to get off because some hooligans had a street brawl near the tracks and the train remained immobile for an hour. Just another day in the city...
Image from James Guild (@JamesJGuild)
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Java
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Not ideal.
Kompas.com (@kompascom) profile pictureKompas.com
@kompascomJul 27
Baca selengkapnya: money.kompas.com/read/2026/0… Gubernur Bank Indonesia Perry Warjiyo mengundurkan diri karena alasan pribadi. Menteri Sekretaris Negara Prasetyo Hadi menyebut Deputi Gubernur Senior Destry Damayanti menjadi Gubernur BI sementara. ~RK #GubernurBI #PerryWarjiyo
Image from Kompas.com (@kompascom)
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One does wonder if now is the best time to do this.
Bloomberg (@business) profile pictureBloomberg
@businessJun 4
Indonesia has expanded the central bank’s objectives to include the expansion of the “real sector,” further broadening its mandate beyond currency stability and economic growth bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Indonesia Tasks Central Bank With Boosting ‘Real Sector’ Growth

Indonesia Tasks Central Bank With Boosting ‘Real Sector’ Growth

Indonesia has expanded the central bank’s objectives to include real sector growth, and granted parliament the power to evaluate the monetary authority’s performance.

bloomberg.com
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Soto sapi, never misses
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There is fierce competition between home-grown and international streamers in Southeast Asia and the ecosystem has evolved rapidly in recent years years. One thing is for sure: the demand for Korean dramas is basically limitless. thediplomat.com/2026/04/a-br…
A Brief History of Southeast Asia’s Streaming Wars

A Brief History of Southeast Asia’s Streaming Wars

The region offers a market with untapped potential for streaming entertainment, and one where disposable income is likely to rise in the years to come.

thediplomat.com
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Vietnam, Thailand & Indonesia are contributing to a big increase in solar panel manufacturing, driven largely by Chinese investment. They are being drawn into global clean energy supply chains while the rest of us get cheaper solar. Win-win? thediplomat.com/2026/04/sout…
Southeast Asia’s Solar Panel Boom

Southeast Asia’s Solar Panel Boom

It’s not just about China. The world is now benefiting from historically cheap solar panels made in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.

thediplomat.com
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KALA is a masterpiece of Indonesian cinema. You can't put a price on that.
Cinephile Intern (@cinephileintern) profile pictureCinephile Intern@cinephileinternApr 9
Manoj Punjabi blak-blakan bilang Film KALA (2007, Joko Anwar) dg budget produksi 7M dapet penonton cuma 70rb bikin MD rugi 8M. Dibandingin sama SUSTER NGESOT yg budgetnya cuma 1M berhasil menghasilkan 4,5M.
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Ikan bakar sulawesi 🐟🐟🔥
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The Pacific Money Blog: 2025 Year in Review - what the big economic stories in the region were last year and why they mattered. According to me. thediplomat.com/2025/12/the-…
The Pacific Money Blog: 2025 Year in Review

The Pacific Money Blog: 2025 Year in Review

From new state investment funds to U.S. tariffs, it has been a busy year for Southeast Asia’s economies.

thediplomat.com
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State owned investment funds are on the rise in SE Asia, including in some unlikely places. Why? I think it has something to do with the geopolitical churn we are currently living through. eastasiaforum.org/2025/10/24…
The rise of state-owned investment funds in Southeast Asia

The rise of state-owned investment funds in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asian states increasingly see state-owned investment funds more as tools of national development than wealth generators.

eastasiaforum.org
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Interesting things happening in Vietnam's stock market these days. 📈 thediplomat.com/2025/10/viet…
Vietnam’s Upgrade to Emerging Market Status, Explained

Vietnam’s Upgrade to Emerging Market Status, Explained

The recent decision by the index provider FTSE Russel reflects the country’s maturing market conditions and improved regulatory climate.

thediplomat.com
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Slowing growth is forcing the Thai government to run deficits and straining its fiscal capacity. Can they keep doing this until exports recover and global economic conditions turn more favorable? thediplomat.com/2025/10/thai…
Thailand’s 2026 Budget, Explained

Thailand’s 2026 Budget, Explained

Deficits seem set to remain a key feature of Thailand’s fiscal reality for a significant time to come.

thediplomat.com
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Why are some digital banks in Southeast Asia growing rapidly while others aren't? I have some ideas 👇👇 thediplomat.com/2025/09/what…

What Makes Digital Banks in Southeast Asia Successful?

The recent track record in the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand shows a great deal of divergence.

thediplomat.com
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Grab and Go-jek aren't just rivals in the ride hailing and food delivery business - competition between the two is heating up in Indonesia's digital banking scene as well. 👇👇 thediplomat.com/2025/08/indo…
Indonesia’s Digital Banking Scene is Getting Crowded

Indonesia’s Digital Banking Scene is Getting Crowded

Competition is heating up at one of the final frontiers of the country’s tech boom.

thediplomat.com
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Post-pandemic tourism in SE Asia is recovering at different rates - some markets have bounced back strongly, others more slowly. But is this necessarily a bad thing? That depends. 👇👇 thediplomat.com/2025/08/sout…
Southeast Asia’s Uneven Tourism Recovery, Explained

Southeast Asia’s Uneven Tourism Recovery, Explained

The region’s major tourism markets are still struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels – with one exception.

thediplomat.com
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