Bank Indonesia Keeps Key BI Rate at 6.50% to Support Economic Growth
Indonesia's central bank, Bank Indonesia, decided today (15/08) to keep its benchmark interest rate (BI rate) at 6.50 percent. In recent days, heavy speculation emerged about whether Bank Indonesia would raise the BI rate for the third consecutive time in three months as the country is plagued by higher inflation (8.61 percent year-on-year in July 2013) and a weakening rupiah. Reluctance to raise the interest rate again seems to indicate that the Bank gives priority to economic growth, which has slid to a three-year low at 5.81 percent in Q2-2013.
A higher interest rate would disturb domestic economic activity, the largest pillar of support for Indonesia's economy. Throughout 2012, domestic consumption accounted for approximately 55 percent of Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP).
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