In 2013, the Indonesian government and the central bank (Bank Indonesia) deliberately curbed demand from Indonesia's population as the pace of imports was partly responsible for a trade and current account deficit, thereby putting serious pressure on the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate amid last year's capital outflows as global investors pulled funds from emerging markets after speculation emerged that the US Federal Reserve would wind down its quantitative easing program. But despite the higher interest rate policy of the central bank and the sharply depreciated rupiah exchange rate (which fell over 21 percent against the US dollar in 2013, causing expensive imports), domestic consumption remained relatively stable. According to data from Bank Indonesia, retail sales in Indonesia grew 20 percent (year on year).

The DBS Bank expects that Indonesia's economy will grow about six percent in 2014.

Bahas