https://baliobserver.com/The Bali Observer covers Bali for an international audience: news, tourism and hospitality, travel advisories, business and investment, culture, the environment and eastern Indonesia.en© 2026 PT. Kabar Delapan Belashttps://baliobserver.com/assets/site/brand/icon-144.pnghttps://baliobserver.com/144144Thu, 05 Nov 2026 17:24:37 +080015 https://baliobserver.com/denpasar-builds-vehicle-tax-drive-through-service-at-ubunghttps://baliobserver.com/denpasar-builds-vehicle-tax-drive-through-service-at-ubungThu, 05 Nov 2026 17:24:37 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentDenpasar is building a drive-through vehicle-tax service at Ubung Terminal, with a December 2026 launch planned. The project is funded by Rp1,912,355,000 (about US$121,000) from the city’s 2026 budget. https://baliobserver.com/bali-roadshow-brings-digital-business-lessons-to-school-studentshttps://baliobserver.com/bali-roadshow-brings-digital-business-lessons-to-school-studentsThu, 05 Nov 2026 13:53:23 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali’s provincial government said its 2026 digital festival roadshow reached schools in six areas, with 239 students joining Oct. 12–13 sessions on technology and business. https://baliobserver.com/bali-investment-reaches-rp3080-triliun-about-us18-billion-as-sarbagita-dominateshttps://baliobserver.com/bali-investment-reaches-rp3080-triliun-about-us18-billion-as-sarbagita-dominatesThu, 05 Nov 2026 10:57:25 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali recorded Rp30,80 triliun (about US$1.8 billion) in investment through the third quarter of 2026, or 64 percent of its annual target. Foreign investment contributed 58,8 percent, while Sarbagita dominated regional investment. https://baliobserver.com/jembrana-to-dissolve-perumda-tribhuwana-after-efficiency-reviewhttps://baliobserver.com/jembrana-to-dissolve-perumda-tribhuwana-after-efficiency-reviewWed, 04 Nov 2026 20:58:22 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentJembrana will dissolve Perumda Tribhuwana after reviews found the regional company economically inefficient. Its assets, transactions and liabilities will be checked before liquidation. https://baliobserver.com/gianyar-finds-10-unlicensed-money-changers-in-tegallalanghttps://baliobserver.com/gianyar-finds-10-unlicensed-money-changers-in-tegallalangWed, 04 Nov 2026 16:26:43 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentGianyar officials found 10 of 13 money changers in Tegallalang without complete permits during a Nov. 2 inspection and marked the businesses for licensing violations. https://baliobserver.com/jembrana-opens-20-year-tender-for-district-owned-hotel-jimbarwanahttps://baliobserver.com/jembrana-opens-20-year-tender-for-district-owned-hotel-jimbarwanaTue, 03 Nov 2026 06:13:04 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentJembrana opened the tender on 29 October 2026 for a 20-year partnership to operate the district-owned Hotel Jimbarwana, with bids scheduled for 6–8 November and minimum financial obligations. https://baliobserver.com/bali-sets-december-2026-target-for-turyapada-tower-in-bulelenghttps://baliobserver.com/bali-sets-december-2026-target-for-turyapada-tower-in-bulelengMon, 02 Nov 2026 10:55:07 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali says Turyapada Tower’s surrounding tourist facilities in Buleleng should be finished in December 2026, after about Rp670.5 billion (about US$42 million) in spending. https://baliobserver.com/what-balis-official-economic-indicators-mean-for-business-and-investmenthttps://baliobserver.com/what-balis-official-economic-indicators-mean-for-business-and-investmentMon, 02 Nov 2026 06:14:33 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentOfficial 2025 data point to a growing but tourism-led Bali economy, with low unemployment, falling poverty and measurable inflation pressure for businesses and investors. https://baliobserver.com/jembrana-creative-festival-opens-with-free-ip-support-for-creatorshttps://baliobserver.com/jembrana-creative-festival-opens-with-free-ip-support-for-creatorsSun, 01 Nov 2026 20:52:26 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentJembrana Creative Festival 2026 opened in Negara with free public programming and no-cost trademark and intellectual-property registration facilitation for local creators and creative businesses. https://baliobserver.com/indonesia-prepares-bali-as-financial-centre-after-jakartahttps://baliobserver.com/indonesia-prepares-bali-as-financial-centre-after-jakartaSun, 01 Nov 2026 17:27:00 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentIndonesia is preparing Bali as the next stage of financial-centre development after Jakarta. Regulations for the project were reported to be in finalisation on Oct. 29, 2026. https://baliobserver.com/bali-governor-koster-sets-four-part-investment-approachhttps://baliobserver.com/bali-governor-koster-sets-four-part-investment-approachSun, 01 Nov 2026 13:56:35 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali Governor Wayan Koster outlined four measures to expand MSME financing and attract investment into agriculture, energy, culture, digital industries and tourism. https://baliobserver.com/bali-adds-rp150-billion-buffer-to-draft-2027-budgethttps://baliobserver.com/bali-adds-rp150-billion-buffer-to-draft-2027-budgetSun, 01 Nov 2026 10:57:53 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali’s draft 2027 budget includes Rp150 billion (about US$10 million) in unexpected spending and projects locally generated revenue above Rp4.5 trillion (about US$300 million). Growth is targeted at 6–6.5 percent. https://baliobserver.com/bali-targets-economic-diversification-as-tourism-accounts-for-about-66-of-economyhttps://baliobserver.com/bali-targets-economic-diversification-as-tourism-accounts-for-about-66-of-economySun, 01 Nov 2026 08:00:17 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali’s governor has set 2027 growth targets of 6% to 6.5% and backed broader economic development as tourism accounts for about 66% of the provincial economy. https://baliobserver.com/what-qris-growth-means-for-balis-small-business-economyhttps://baliobserver.com/what-qris-growth-means-for-balis-small-business-economySun, 01 Nov 2026 06:12:17 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali’s small-business economy is operating in a rapidly expanding digital-payments environment, but national QRIS and transaction figures must not be mistaken for Bali-specific merchant data. https://baliobserver.com/jembrana-opens-20-year-hotel-jimbarwana-tenderhttps://baliobserver.com/jembrana-opens-20-year-hotel-jimbarwana-tenderSat, 31 Oct 2026 20:55:41 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentJembrana opened a tender for a 20-year Hotel Jimbarwana partnership. The terms include an annual fixed contribution, a 1% profit share and a minimum development commitment. https://baliobserver.com/badung-lawmakers-back-2027-infrastructure-and-credit-planhttps://baliobserver.com/badung-lawmakers-back-2027-infrastructure-and-credit-planSat, 31 Oct 2026 17:25:06 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBadung lawmakers backed a 2027 budget focused on infrastructure and a Rp10 billion (about US$0.6 million) capital allocation for Bali Mandara. The plan targets Rp150 billion (about US$9.4 million) through 2030. https://baliobserver.com/bali-digital-nomad-visa-what-the-e33g-permit-actually-allowshttps://baliobserver.com/bali-digital-nomad-visa-what-the-e33g-permit-actually-allowsSat, 31 Oct 2026 06:12:18 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentThe “Bali digital nomad visa” is not a Bali-specific category. Readers usually mean Indonesia’s E33G Remote Worker Visa, designed for qualifying remote workers tied to employers outside Indonesia. https://baliobserver.com/koster-proposes-bali-ningxia-cooperation-team-in-denpasarhttps://baliobserver.com/koster-proposes-bali-ningxia-cooperation-team-in-denpasarFri, 30 Oct 2026 13:52:59 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali Governor Wayan Koster proposed a joint team after meeting a Ningxia delegation in Denpasar on Oct. 28. Talks covered tourism, culture, trade, agriculture and green energy. https://baliobserver.com/bank-bpd-bali-reports-housing-credit-progress-in-nusa-duahttps://baliobserver.com/bank-bpd-bali-reports-housing-credit-progress-in-nusa-duaThu, 29 Oct 2026 20:57:33 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBank BPD Bali reported Rp226,79 miliar (about US$13.3 million) in housing-credit distribution at 75,63 percent of its target during a government credit-program forum in Nusa Dua on Oct. 29, 2026. https://baliobserver.com/tabanan-harvest-highlights-balis-push-for-local-garlichttps://baliobserver.com/tabanan-harvest-highlights-balis-push-for-local-garlicSat, 24 Oct 2026 10:53:15 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentA joint harvest in Tabanan tested four garlic varieties across 2.5 hectares as Bali officials, Udayana University and farmers worked to strengthen local production. https://baliobserver.com/bank-indonesia-projects-bali-economy-to-grow-54-59-in-2026https://baliobserver.com/bank-indonesia-projects-bali-economy-to-grow-54-59-in-2026Sat, 24 Oct 2026 06:12:07 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBank Indonesia projected Bali’s 2026 economy to grow 5.4%-5.9%, supported by agriculture, construction, trade, tourism, consumption and investment, while geopolitical turbulence remains a risk. https://baliobserver.com/bali-and-switzerland-explore-waste-and-water-treatment-investmenthttps://baliobserver.com/bali-and-switzerland-explore-waste-and-water-treatment-investmentFri, 23 Oct 2026 20:52:19 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali and Switzerland discussed possible cooperation in innovative industries, waste processing and wastewater treatment. The talks remain exploratory, with about 700 Swiss nationals living and working in Bali. https://baliobserver.com/bangli-plans-idr-500-million-about-us30700-injection-for-msme-credithttps://baliobserver.com/bangli-plans-idr-500-million-about-us30700-injection-for-msme-creditFri, 23 Oct 2026 17:25:55 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBangli plans to allocate IDR 500 million (about US$30,700) in its 2026 regional budget as capital for PT Jamkrida Bali Mandara, aiming to widen formal financing and credit guarantees for eligible businesses. https://baliobserver.com/denpasar-traders-report-falling-sales-during-gajah-mada-roadworkhttps://baliobserver.com/denpasar-traders-report-falling-sales-during-gajah-mada-roadworkFri, 23 Oct 2026 10:51:48 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentRoadwork on Jalan Gajah Mada has sharply reduced customer visits and sales for nearby Denpasar shops, while congestion, parking problems and dust continue during construction. https://baliobserver.com/lombok-tengah-regent-urges-investors-to-report-delayed-permitshttps://baliobserver.com/lombok-tengah-regent-urges-investors-to-report-delayed-permitsFri, 23 Oct 2026 06:11:26 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentLombok Tengah Regent Lalu Pathul Bahri urged investors to report deliberately delayed permits while stressing that development must comply with licensing, spatial-planning and farmland-protection rules. https://baliobserver.com/lombok-tengah-regent-pledges-action-on-licensing-delayshttps://baliobserver.com/lombok-tengah-regent-pledges-action-on-licensing-delaysThu, 22 Oct 2026 20:55:49 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentLombok Tengah Regent Lalu Pathul Bahri told investors to report deliberate licensing delays directly to him. First-quarter investment reached Rp 2.1 trillion (about US$125 million), led by tourism projects. https://baliobserver.com/indonesia-and-singapore-launch-project-nusa-for-secure-ai-developmenthttps://baliobserver.com/indonesia-and-singapore-launch-project-nusa-for-secure-ai-developmentThu, 22 Oct 2026 06:14:51 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentIndonesia’s KORIKA and AI Singapore launched Project NUSA in Denpasar on October 21, bringing 20 institutions into a joint effort on open AI governance, data and locally relevant applications. https://baliobserver.com/bp-and-inpex-commit-us427-million-to-explore-off-balihttps://baliobserver.com/bp-and-inpex-commit-us427-million-to-explore-off-baliWed, 21 Oct 2026 20:55:33 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBP and Inpex will invest US$42.7 million to explore the Agung I and Agung II oil-and-gas working areas off Bali. The program includes seismic surveys before further development decisions. https://baliobserver.com/what-57-denpasar-consumer-disputes-mean-for-foreign-touristshttps://baliobserver.com/what-57-denpasar-consumer-disputes-mean-for-foreign-touristsWed, 21 Oct 2026 13:51:51 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentDenpasar’s consumer dispute body resolved 57 cases by Oct. 14, 2026, up from 40 in 2025. Complaints included foreign tourists from 17 countries over goods and services in Bali. https://baliobserver.com/badung-dismantles-10-unlicensed-telecom-towershttps://baliobserver.com/badung-dismantles-10-unlicensed-telecom-towersTue, 20 Oct 2026 17:25:25 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBadung dismantled 10 unlicensed monopole towers on regional government land after an asset-use agreement with PT Tower Bersama Group expired in 2022. https://baliobserver.com/bali-tech-week-opens-in-sanur-with-digital-investment-focushttps://baliobserver.com/bali-tech-week-opens-in-sanur-with-digital-investment-focusTue, 20 Oct 2026 13:53:48 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali Tech Week 2026 opened in Sanur on Oct. 19 with 13 activities scheduled through Oct. 23. The programme links digital investment with industry input on regulation. https://baliobserver.com/fuel-disruptions-cut-bali-retail-sales-by-10-percenthttps://baliobserver.com/fuel-disruptions-cut-bali-retail-sales-by-10-percentTue, 20 Oct 2026 10:51:41 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali retailers reported sales falling 10 percent on Oct. 19 as a weeklong fuel shortage disrupted deliveries and cut customer traffic by 9–10 percent. https://baliobserver.com/bali-begins-odd-even-rule-for-pertalite-as-petrol-queues-easehttps://baliobserver.com/bali-begins-odd-even-rule-for-pertalite-as-petrol-queues-easeTue, 20 Oct 2026 06:13:43 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentPertamina and the Bali government began a three-day odd-even rule for subsidised Pertalite on 17 October, while officials reported shorter queues at some petrol stations. https://baliobserver.com/bali-governor-asks-booking-platforms-to-check-accommodation-licenceshttps://baliobserver.com/bali-governor-asks-booking-platforms-to-check-accommodation-licencesTue, 20 Oct 2026 06:13:37 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali Governor Wayan Koster has asked online travel agencies to verify business licences before listing villas, rental houses and other accommodation marketed to visitors on the island. https://baliobserver.com/where-are-balis-jobs-growing-and-what-does-the-labour-data-showhttps://baliobserver.com/where-are-balis-jobs-growing-and-what-does-the-labour-data-showTue, 20 Oct 2026 06:13:35 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali’s labour market added workers in 2025, led by trade and tourism-linked services, while agriculture contracted and unemployment remained low. The data show where employment is changing. https://baliobserver.com/fuel-queues-ease-in-southern-bali-as-forces-join-station-operationshttps://baliobserver.com/fuel-queues-ease-in-southern-bali-as-forces-join-station-operationsMon, 19 Oct 2026 20:52:32 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentFuel queues eased in Denpasar and Badung on Oct. 18, but long lines persisted in Buleleng and Jembrana. Soldiers and police supported station operations and deliveries. https://baliobserver.com/bali-tech-week-panel-puts-digital-rules-at-center-in-sanurhttps://baliobserver.com/bali-tech-week-panel-puts-digital-rules-at-center-in-sanurMon, 19 Oct 2026 17:24:05 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentA Bali Tech Week panel in Sanur highlighted regulation, infrastructure, cybersecurity and digital literacy as priorities for Indonesia’s digital economy. The event features 13 agendas through Oct. 23. https://baliobserver.com/buleleng-housing-program-advances-toward-december-completionhttps://baliobserver.com/buleleng-housing-program-advances-toward-december-completionMon, 19 Oct 2026 13:54:59 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBuleleng’s 1,200-home rehabilitation program is roughly 50 percent complete on average and targeted for completion by December 2026. Officials say about 2,800 homes may still need work. https://baliobserver.com/badung-schools-resume-in-person-classes-after-fuel-shortagehttps://baliobserver.com/badung-schools-resume-in-person-classes-after-fuel-shortageMon, 19 Oct 2026 10:52:24 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBadung schools were scheduled to resume classroom teaching on Oct. 19 after temporary online learning linked to Bali’s fuel shortage and efforts to reduce travel. https://baliobserver.com/bali-governor-calls-for-odd-even-fuel-controls-as-queues-worsenhttps://baliobserver.com/bali-governor-calls-for-odd-even-fuel-controls-as-queues-worsenSat, 17 Oct 2026 06:15:59 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali’s governor has called for temporary odd-even number-plate controls and night-time truck refuelling as Pertamina adds fuel supplies and 24-hour services to ease long queues. https://baliobserver.com/bali-police-tighten-security-for-icann87-in-nusa-duahttps://baliobserver.com/bali-police-tighten-security-for-icann87-in-nusa-duaFri, 16 Oct 2026 20:53:48 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali police have deployed 215 personnel for ICANN87 in Nusa Dua from Oct. 17 to 22, covering the airport, access routes and traffic near fuel stations. https://baliobserver.com/buleleng-regent-urges-digital-licensing-to-attract-investmenthttps://baliobserver.com/buleleng-regent-urges-digital-licensing-to-attract-investmentFri, 16 Oct 2026 17:22:24 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBuleleng Regent I Nyoman Sutjidra urged transparent digital licensing through OSS on Oct. 16, 2026, while saying the regency remains open to compliant investment. https://baliobserver.com/bank-bpd-bali-reports-stronger-lending-through-septemberhttps://baliobserver.com/bank-bpd-bali-reports-stronger-lending-through-septemberFri, 16 Oct 2026 13:54:36 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBank BPD Bali said lending reached Rp26.82 trillion (about US$1.64 billion) through September 2026, up 8.52 percent year on year, while MSME credit reached Rp14.43 trillion (about US$906 million). https://baliobserver.com/why-balis-2025-investment-remained-concentrated-in-sarabagitahttps://baliobserver.com/why-balis-2025-investment-remained-concentrated-in-sarabagitaFri, 16 Oct 2026 06:11:59 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali recorded Rp42.81 trillion in realised investment in 2025, but about 93% was concentrated in Sarabagita and tourism-linked sectors remained prominent. https://baliobserver.com/inda-trimafo-yudha-elected-putri-bali-chair-in-denpasarhttps://baliobserver.com/inda-trimafo-yudha-elected-putri-bali-chair-in-denpasarThu, 15 Oct 2026 20:53:33 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentInda Trimafo Yudha will lead PUTRI Bali from 2026 to 2030 after an acclamation vote in Denpasar, as attraction operators confront cost, connectivity and congestion pressures. https://baliobserver.com/bali-hotels-face-hurdles-over-81-megawatts-of-rooftop-solarhttps://baliobserver.com/bali-hotels-face-hurdles-over-81-megawatts-of-rooftop-solarThu, 15 Oct 2026 13:54:37 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentIESR estimates Bali’s four- and five-star hotels could support up to 81 megawatts of rooftop solar, but financing, technical preparation and regulatory uncertainty remain obstacles. https://baliobserver.com/nusa-dua-hosts-873-delegates-for-global-insurance-forumhttps://baliobserver.com/nusa-dua-hosts-873-delegates-for-global-insurance-forumThu, 15 Oct 2026 10:52:15 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentThe 30th Indonesia Rendezvous brought 873 participants from 22 countries to Nusa Dua, Badung, from Oct. 12 to Oct. 15, 2026. The forum addressed global insurance risks. https://baliobserver.com/bali-extends-fuel-terminal-and-petrol-station-operations-amid-shortageshttps://baliobserver.com/bali-extends-fuel-terminal-and-petrol-station-operations-amid-shortagesThu, 15 Oct 2026 06:12:20 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentBali is extending fuel-terminal and petrol-station operations and adding delivery capacity after shortages caused long queues, with work-from-home and online-learning measures set for October 15-17. https://baliobserver.com/fuel-shortages-disrupt-tourism-trips-across-gianyarhttps://baliobserver.com/fuel-shortages-disrupt-tourism-trips-across-gianyarWed, 14 Oct 2026 13:52:29 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentFuel shortages led travel drivers to cancel trips from Gianyar to Ubud, Tegallalang and Kintamani. Tegenungan Waterfall also reported fewer visitors on Oct. 13 and 14. https://baliobserver.com/gianyar-tightens-villa-permit-oversight-in-three-investment-hotspotshttps://baliobserver.com/gianyar-tightens-villa-permit-oversight-in-three-investment-hotspotsWed, 14 Oct 2026 10:54:45 +0800Pandi MuktarBusiness & InvestmentGianyar’s legislative commission is tightening checks on villa and tourist-accommodation permits in three investment hotspots to protect spatial rules and productive rice fields.