The rupiah lost 5.9 percent against the dollar in 2012. This year, it has lost about 0.1 percent against the greenback so far. It could be argued that Indonesia deliberately lets its currency weaken in order to boost exports as it recorded its first ever trade deficit in 2012. Imports grew, while exports declined. The country's current account deficit stood at US $24.18 billion last year.

A weakening rupiah contains certain advantages for the country's current account balance. It makes exports more competitive, while imports become more expensive. Analysts therefore assume that Bank Indonesia currently favors a limited decrease of its currency's value.

Global concern emerged as Japan's yen weakened significantly since September 2012. By increasing liquidity and depreciating the overpriced yen, it aims to avoid continued deflation.

Bahas