
Indonesia is moving forward with plans to establish Bali as an international financial center, with new laws set for parliamentary debate this week. Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry Rosan Roeslani stated that the financial center aims to make Indonesia a trusted destination for investors. The inaugural Nusa Dua Forum in Bali, co-organized by the South China Morning Post and Danantara Indonesia, gathered around 120 participants, including officials, sovereign fund operators, and family office leaders. Rosan emphasized that the center will feature an independent court system, financial authority, and corporations, upholding high standards. Hong Kong’s Deputy Secretary for Justice Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan highlighted Hong Kong's institutional credibility and common law system as a model. Bali intends to offer strong incentives to investors, including potential full tax waivers for businesses and foreign finance experts. The proposed center, located in the Kura Kura Special Economic Zone on Serangan Island, is expected to adopt a common law framework, similar to financial hubs in Dubai and Singapore. Luhut Pandjaitan, chairman of Indonesia’s National Economic Council, noted that the financial center aims to address investor concerns about transparency in Indonesia's equity market. Pandu Sjahrir, CEO of Danantara Indonesia, stressed the importance of consistency, legal system stability, and competitive fiscal incentives for the center's success, suggesting a mix of lo
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The Jia CURATED festival will transform Bali's Pengembak beach into a hub for cultural exchange from August 13 to 17, 2026. The event, themed "Nature Weave," aims to foster harmony between design and the natural world, inviting creators to engage with the landscape. Rooted in the Indonesian principle of Gotong Royong, the festival emphasizes collective effort, with co-founder Budiman Ong viewing it as a manifesto to integrate industry and nature. The exhibition will feature biophilic design, using organic materials and patterns to enhance community well-being. Highlights include the "Architecture in Scale" exhibition curated by Charmaine Chan, showcasing 25 models from Asia that consider nature as a living entity. Interactive installations, such as Blancostudio x Kalpa Taru Bali's pavilion made from timber offcuts, and innovative projects like Post+beam's modular aluminum shelving and Bell Living Lab’s use of coffee waste, will demonstrate sustainable practices. The festival will also include workshops, collaborations with international design platforms, and exhibitions celebrating Filipino sustainable craft practices. Environmental stewardship is central, with initiatives like the “Waste to Wonder” program repurposing event materials. The event concludes with “360° Design Dialogues” among global design leaders, complemented by local cultural performances.

Regent Bali Canggu, a six-hectare luxury resort, features 150 suites and villas designed by HBA, with curated landscaping by John Pettigrew. The resort includes an integrated in-house spa, which is a first for IHG properties, offering treatments like warm quartz sand beds, LED light therapy, and EMS technology. Guests in one-bedroom suites and above have access to the Regent Club, an exclusive service lounge with complimentary dining. The resort is also a dining destination, featuring a Chef’s Table experience and Beach House, an elevated beach club with direct access to Batu Bolong waves, which also hosts Rip Curl’s School of Surf. Cure, a newly opened restaurant by Chef-Owner Andrew Walsh, offers European cuisine with Asian flavors. Another restaurant, Sazón, also headed by Walsh, provides tapas-style dishes. The resort's amenities and dining options aim to provide a comprehensive experience for guests.
Must readIndonesia enforces some of the world's strictest drug laws, classifying cannabis as a Group I narcotic, alongside heroin and cocaine. This means cannabis is completely illegal throughout the country, including Bali, with no legal recreational market, dispensaries, or personal possession allowances. Penalties for unauthorized possession of plant-form cannabis range from 4 to 12 years' imprisonment and fines of IDR 800 million to 8 billion, with higher penalties for larger quantities. Buying, selling, or distributing cannabis can lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty in aggravated cases. Foreign nationals are not exempt from these laws, and embassies cannot secure release or intervene in judicial proceedings. Travelers are advised not to bring any cannabis products, including CBD oils or foreign medical prescriptions, into Indonesia without written confirmation from authorities. If offered drugs, decline and leave the situation. Never carry items for others across borders, as this can lead to severe legal consequences. If detained, ask for your embassy or consulate, an interpreter, and local legal counsel before answering questions.