PARIS, June 30 (Reuters) – Inflation slowed more than expected across most major euro zone ‌economies in June, preliminary data showed on Tuesday, easing pressure on the European Central Bank to raise interest rates in the near term. Germany, France and Italy all reported softer-than-expected readings, while ​Spain was the only large economy where inflation did not ease. ​The figures increase the likelihood that overall euro zone inflation, due ⁠on Wednesday, could undershoot expectations. Economists polled by Reuters have forecast the bloc’s inflation ​at 3.0% for June. “Upside risks to inflation have declined markedly,” said Jack Allen-Reynolds, deputy ​chief euro zone economist at Capital Economics. While expectations remain elevated and energy prices could rise again, “there is no pressing need for the ECB to raise interest rates further,” he said. A ​sharp drop in energy prices in recent days has also reduced pressure on ​ECB policymakers ahead of their July meeting. However, the case for a modest rate hike ‌later remains ⁠intact, four sources told Reuters. UNDERSHOOTING EXPECTATIONS In Europe’s biggest economy, German inflation slowed to 2.4% in June from 2.7% the previous month, below the 2.5% forecast in a Reuters poll. Core inflation held steady at 2.5%, suggesting energy costs have yet to spill over ​more broadly. French inflation fell more ​sharply, dropping to ⁠2.0% from 2.8% in May, in line with the ECB’s target and well below expectations of 2.3%. The drop was mainly ​due to a 5% decrease in energy prices, services price ​inflation eased ⁠to less than 2% while prices for manufactured goods fell 0.9%. Inflation also eased in Italy, dipping to 3.1% from 3.2% in May and defying forecasts for no change. Spain was ⁠the ​exception among big euro zone economies with June inflation ​running at 3.6%, unchanged from May but above expectations for 3.4%. Reporting by Leigh Thomas in Paris, Maria ​Martinez in Berlin, Valentina Consiglio and Gavin Jones in Rome; Editing by Susan Fenton Link to the article: https://www.reuters.com/business/inflation-cools-biggest-euro-economies-easing-rate-hike-urgency-2026-06-30

MADRID/LONDON, June 9 (Reuters) – Europe faces a widening €1.4 trillion ($1.62 trillion) annual investment gap that risks holding back its economic objectives including energy transition, the European ​Banking Federation said on Tuesday, urging simpler rules to help banks ‌finance growth. The figure was revised up from earlier estimates of €800 billion in 2024 and €1.2 trillion in 2025, and based on analysis by consultancy Oliver Wyman commissioned by ​the European Banking Federation (EBF). The EBF says the investment gap reflects rising ​funding needs in areas such as energy, defence, digitalisation and ⁠industrial capacity. In Europe, banks provide around 65% of financing to the ​real economy, far more than in the U.S. Europe’s banks say the regulatory ​framework is constraining lending and they are pushing for changes. A European Commission assessment of banking sector competitiveness is expected in July, with legislative proposals likely to follow ​in 2027. France and Germany have urged the Commission to bring forward an ​ambitious “financial services simplification package” to make EU rules easier to navigate and less burdensome. Regulators have ‌already ⁠signalled some movement. In April, the European Banking Authority (EBA) outlined measures to simplify supervisory reporting and reduce the burden on banks. In December, the European Central Bank also proposed streamlining rules, though without easing overall capital requirements, prompting criticism from ​lenders. Banks have long ​complained that supervision ⁠has become onerous. Some countries, particularly the United States, are now pushing to cut regulation and soften capital rules ​to boost growth. The EBF called for targeted simplification, improving ​coordination among ⁠regulators while preserving post-crisis safeguards. With an additional €150 billion, banks could target around 20% of Europe’s additional financing needs, the EBF said. A 1% reduction in ⁠CET1 capital ​requirements would release €95 billion, it added. It also ​urged faster progress on strengthening capital markets and completing the banking union, including a common deposit insurance ​scheme. ($1 = 0.8668 euros) Reporting by Jesús Aguado and Phoebe Seers; editing by Susan Fenton Link to the article: https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/european-banks-want-simpler-rules-regions-annual-investment-gap-hits-14-trillion-2026-06-09

LONDON, June 1 (Reuters) – British manufacturers raised their prices at the fastest rate since June 2022 last month in response to a big increase in costs as the ​Iran war disrupts supply chains, according to a survey likely to concern ‌the Bank of England. S&P Global also said the output balance of its manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index for Britain rose in May to its highest since the start of the conflict at the ​end of February, but this appeared to reflect a front-loading of orders ​to get ahead of expected further price rises and supply-chain problems. “This ⁠bounce will fade once customers have built up sufficient safety stocks,” S&P Global ​Market Intelligence director Rob Dobson said. The headline manufacturing PMI activity index – which can be ​distorted by supply chain disruption – rose to its highest since May 2022 at 53.9 after being revised up from an initial reading of 53.7. Britain’s central bank is closely watching the degree to ​which higher energy prices caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz spread ​through the economy, but it has kept interest rates unchanged for now. If price rises go beyond ‌energy ⁠to general goods and services, that would increase the likelihood of the BoE raising rates, Governor Andrew Bailey said on Friday. The manufacturing PMI showed firms’ input costs rose last month at their fastest pace since June 2022, driven by higher prices for chemicals, ​electronics, energy, foodstuffs, ​fuels, plastics, metals, ⁠packaging, paper and timber. “The war in the Middle East, commodity market movements, geopolitical strife, supply chain issues, material shortages, tariffs, rising ​labour costs and higher taxes were all mentioned by panel members,” ​S&P said. While ⁠the BoE hopes that firms will absorb increased costs, the PMI survey shows manufacturers passing them on to customers at one of the fastest rates in the survey’s ⁠history. The output ​price index has only been higher on a ​sustained basis between May 2021 and June 2022, when post-COVID disruption and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine helped ​drive British consumer price inflation above 11%. Reporting by David Milliken; Editing by Toby Chopra Link to the article: https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-manufacturers-raise-prices-fastest-pace-nearly-4-years-pmi-shows-2026-06-01

Illustration – Foreign tourists arrive at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, Bali. (ANTARA/HO-Tourism Ministry) Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Tourism Ministry is pushing for an expanded Visa-Free Visit (BVK) policy to boost Indonesia’s global competitiveness, stating the move could surge foreign tourist arrivals by up to 32.4 percent. In an official statement released in Jakarta on Wednesday, the ministry highlighted travel facilitation as a decisive factor for global travelers, especially as neighboring Southeast Asian nations aggressively continue to loosen their travel requirements. The ministry backed its push with historical data, pointing to Indonesia’s extensive experience in 2016 when it granted visa-free facilities to 169 countries. A joint study by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Oxford Economics revealed that the policy contributed to a 24 percent spike in foreign tourist demand and supported the creation of around 400,000 jobs. Following a refined calculation using actual foreign tourist arrival data from 2018, the ministry estimated that the optimized impact of the BVK policy on increasing tourist demand could reach 32.4 percent. “This figure shows that travel facilitation policies have a strong correlation with the growth of tourist arrivals,” the Tourism Ministry stated. The ministry further emphasized that Visa-Free Visit is not solely an immigration issue, but rather a core component of strengthening Indonesia’s accessibility, ease of travel, and overall attractiveness. The ministry’s renewed push comes amid mounting pressure to keep pace with regional rivals. Currently, Indonesia lags behind neighbors such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam regarding the number of countries granted reciprocal or unilateral visa-exempt status. Data from the WTTC shows that the median annual increase in tourist arrivals for countries with visa-free policies reaches 16.6 percent, significantly higher than the 8.1 percent increase recorded by countries that merely introduce new visa types. Furthermore, an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) study indicates that simplifying entry rules can increase arrivals by 7.2 percent to 27 percent. Beyond boosting arrivals, the ministry emphasized that the policy has the potential to stimulate tourist spending, create employment opportunities, and strengthen local economies. However, the Tourism Ministry maintained that any future expansion of the visa-free list must be formulated carefully by taking into strict account state security, international reciprocity, and the national interest. To achieve this, the ministry urged enhanced synergy across various government ministries and state institutions to establish a balanced immigration framework that can boost the economy through local jobs and tourist spending while keeping the country’s borders secure. Translator: Farika Nur Khotimah, Yashinta DifaEditor: Azis KurmalaCopyright © ANTARA 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said his ministry will prioritize basic infrastructure and connectivity development in 2027 to support economic growth and promote equitable development. He underscored that infrastructure development is essential to advancing various national priority agendas, including food security, energy security, access to clean water, human resource development, and stronger interregional connectivity. “Infrastructure is not built merely for the sake of construction, but ultimately to support several national priority agendas,” AHY said after a meeting with the House of Representatives’ (DPR) Budget Committee at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Monday. He emphasized that his ministry is coordinating five technical ministries and several related agencies to ensure that national development programs remain on track and deliver tangible benefits to the public. AHY explained that the development of basic infrastructure will remain the ministry’s primary focus, as it directly affects people’s quality of life while supporting economic activities across regions. During discussions on the 2027 draft state budget, the DPR approved a tentative budget allocation of Rp276.8 billion (approximately US$15.5 million) for the ministry. AHY expressed hope that the allocation would effectively support the ministry’s mandate to coordinate, supervise, and oversee national priority programs. The ministry is also promoting stronger synergy between the central and regional governments to maximize the economic impact of infrastructure development and strengthen local economies. According to AHY, every infrastructure project should generate sustainable economic benefits by improving connectivity, supporting the growth of new economic centers, and fostering more balanced development across Indonesia. The ministry is currently overseeing several strategic infrastructure and connectivity projects, including the development of the northern coast of Java (Pantura), post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, as well as the expansion of the national railway network. Other programs under the ministry’s supervision include the Three Million Houses program, regional road construction projects, and efforts to strengthen irrigation systems and water distribution networks to support food self-sufficiency and regional development equity. Translator: Aria Ananda, Raka AdjiEditor: PrimayantiCopyright © ANTARA 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas signed an agreement on legal cooperation with Russian Prosecutor General Aleksandr V. Gutsan in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday. Agtas said the pact is expected to pave the way for Indonesia and Russia to exchange information and data, conduct joint research, and facilitate the movement of legal experts between the two countries. As cited in a statement in Jakarta, he underlined the agreement as a technical derivative of the mutual legal assistance (MLA) treaty signed six years ago. The minister added that under the treaty framework, Russia has so far submitted seven MLA requests to Indonesia, with one fulfilled, three pending document verification in Russia, one rejected, and two withdrawn by Moscow. Highlighting broader legal cooperation, Agtas noted that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had recently approved the extradition of a Russian national. For his part, Prosecutor General Gutsan emphasized that the newly signed cooperation deal carries major significance for lasting ties between Indonesia and Russia. The agreement was inked while the Indonesian law minister was on an official visit to attend the 14th Saint Petersburg International Legal Forum. Accompanying him were Law Ministry Secretary-General Rico Afinta, Deputy Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Hartyo Harkomoyo, and Head of the Law Ministry’s Policy Strategy Body Andry Indradi. *Indonesia and Russia signed the MLA treaty on December 13, 2019, in Moscow, with then-minister of law and human rights Yasonna Laoly representing Jakarta. Establishing a framework for mutual assistance in criminal matters, the treaty was ratified by Indonesia through Law No. 5 of 2021 and took effect on December 18, 2021. The treaty provides a legal basis for the two countries to cooperate in a wide range of criminal justice procedures, including investigations, prosecutions, court proceedings, and the tracing and freezing of crime-linked assets. Translator: Agatha Olivia, Tegar NurfitraEditor: Azis KurmalaCopyright © ANTARA 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The governments of Indonesia and the United Kingdom are scaling up bilateral cooperation in nature conservation, biodiversity protection and sustainable financing models for protected areas. The renewed commitment was finalized during a bilateral meeting between Indonesian Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni and the UK’s Special Representative for Nature Ruth Davis during London Climate Action Week in London. A central focus of the diplomatic talks was the implementation of Indonesia’s newly formed Landscape and Iconic Species Conservation Task Force, legally established earlier this year under Presidential Decree Number 8 of 2026, according to Minister Antoni in his statement. The task force is mandated to mobilize innovative international financing, fast-track Indonesia’s ambitious 2030 Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink climate targets and develop sustainable management models for protected areas. Antoni expressed appreciation for the British government’s ongoing alliance, which includes an initial funding of 2 million poundsterling cleared last April to kickstart joint operations. “Indonesia already has a strong legal foundation and political support at the highest level to strengthen nature conservation,” Antoni stated. “The next challenge is translating this mandate into policy reforms, replicable pilot projects and measurable conservation outcomes for both communities and the environment,” he added. The minister clarified that the pursuit of innovative financing models is designed to complement existing state funding, firmly denying any move toward the privatization of national parks. He assured that all financial frameworks will strictly adhere to ecological integrity, state transparency, and equitable benefits for local communities living around protected areas. As a practical testing ground for the UK-Indonesia alliance, both delegations reviewed the ongoing development of the Peusangan Elephant Conservation Initiative (PECI) in Sumatra—which serves as a flagship landscape model that integrates keystone species protection, community empowerment and long-term investment mobilization. Indonesia currently manages 57 national parks covering nearly 18 million hectares of crucial ecosystems. Antoni noted that the government is creating custom funding plans for each region, utilizing blended finance, philanthropy and public financing schemes to close the significant conservation funding gap. The bilateral meeting concluded with both nations agreeing to continuously strengthen dialogue and explore concrete opportunities to adress global biodiversity loss and climate change. Translator: Arnidhya Nur Zhafira, Yashinta DifaEditor: M Razi RahmanCopyright © ANTARA 2026