When the United Kingdom (UK) decided to leave the European Union (the so-called Brexit) through a referendum that was held on 23 June 2016, global markets were in shock. While these markets and the UK economy have recovered from the shock (although the pound remains near a 30-year low and Britain lost its AAA rating implying that the cost of government borrowing becomes higher) there are still some concerns about the (negative) impact of Brexit on emerging market economies in Asia, including Indonesia.

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In its latest East Asia and Pacific Economic Update, titled "Reducing Vulnerabilities", the World Bank stated that it projects Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 5.1 percent (y/y) in 2016 and 5.3 percent (y/y) in 2017 mainly supported by rising private consumption, a relatively stable rupiah rate, fiscal support (including higher personal income tax threshold), and accelerating government spending. Overall, the World Bank expects growth in developing East Asia and the Pacific to remain resilient over the next three years.

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Despite the Indonesian government being eager to push for infrastructure development, Southeast Asia's largest economy fell 10 positions in the World Bank's 2016 Logistics Performance Index (LPI), from 53rd position in 2014 to 63rd position this year. The LPI is determined through a worldwide survey involving operators on the ground (global freight forwarders and express carriers) that provide feedback on the logistics in nations where they operate and those with which they trade. High logistics costs are a problem for any economy as it makes products and services less competitive, while foreigners will think twice before investing in the country.

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The World Bank released the June 2016 edition of its Indonesia Economic Quarterly (IEQ) report on Monday (20/06). Recently, the Washington-based institution took a rigorous step by downgrading its 2016 global economic growth forecast from 2.9 percent (y/y) to 2.4 percent (y/y). This is a significant downgrade that was primarily due to the weak performance of commodity exporters. Despite this downgrade the World Bank still sees a resilient Indonesian economy, reflected by a GDP growth forecast of 5.1 percent (y/y) in 2016 and 5.3 percent (y/y) in 2017.

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In line with expectations, the government of Indonesia revised down its economic growth target in 2016 from 5.3 percent (y/y) to 5.1 percent (y/y) amid subdued private consumption, slower-than-expected private investment, and low commodity prices. Meanwhile, the World Bank also cut its forecast for Indonesia's economic growth in 2016 to 5.1 percent (y/y), down from its earlier prediction of 5.3 percent (y/y). The World Bank also slashed its outlook for global growth from 2.9 percent (y/y) to 2.4 percent (y/y) this year.

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Indonesia is currently blessed with a demographic bonus as around half of the population is below thirty years of age. Meanwhile, Indonesia's National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) once stated that the number of Indonesians within the productive age group will be higher than the number of elderly people and children in the years 2025-2035. However, based on the latest research conducted by the World Bank, Indonesia will need to start preparations to deal with an ageing population.

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Darmin Nasution, the Chief Economics Minister of Indonesia, said economic growth of Indonesia in the first quarter of 2016 may be somewhat curtailed as the (food) harvest season has shifted from March to April and May. The harvest season is important for the economy because it causes a multiplier effect. However, government-led infrastructure investment may still be able to push Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth higher in Q1-2016 compared with the 5.04 percent (y/y) growth of Q4-2015. Nasution said he expects a Q1-2016 GDP growth rate around 5.1 - 5.2 percent (y/y).

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Despite last week's rallying oil prices, rising stocks on Wall Street and in Europe, as well as expectation of a more gradual increase in US interest rates, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index) plunged 1.23 percent on Monday (11/04). Overall, the performance of Asian stock markets was mixed reflected by stock trading in the two big economies of China and Japan. Whereas Japanese stocks fell due to the stronger yen (touching a new 17-month high against the US dollar), Chinese stocks climbed on easing worries about deflationary pressures (after China's March CPI inflation remained flat at 2.3 percent y/y).

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In its March 2016 Indonesia Economic Quarterly, titled "Private Investment is Essential", the World Bank cut its forecast for Indonesia's economic growth in 2016 to 5.1 percent year-on-year (y/y) from an earlier estimate of 5.3 percent (y/y). This downward revision was made due to weaker-than-expected global economic conditions, further weakening commodity prices, and limitations to Indonesian government spending brought about by a looming shortfall in tax revenue.

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The government of Indonesia is currently preparing the 11th economic policy package. Chief Economics Minister Darmin Nasution told reporters that this 11th package will focus on curtailing Indonesia's logistics costs, reducing dwelling time at Indonesian harbors, and improving the investment climate of Indonesia. He expects the 11th package to be unveiled next week. Since September 2015 the Indonesian government has unveiled ten economic stimulus packages. These packages aim to boost economic growth in Indonesia through deregulation, tax incentives and by opening room for foreign investment.

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In its latest report, the World Bank stated that Indonesia's macroeconomic fundamentals are solid and have been strengthening amid the central government's eagerness to implement critical structural reforms, while investment growth rose to the highest levels since the last quarter of 2015 (mainly investment in buildings and structures).

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The latest World Bank projection shows the economy of Indonesia remains promising despite the Washington-based institution having lowered its forecast for Indonesia's full-year 2017 gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 0.1 percentage point to 5.2 percent year-on-year (y/y) in the June 2017 edition of its Global Economic Prospect. The World Bank emphasized the Indonesian economy remains relatively strong and is among the most promising emerging markets.

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When visiting Indonesia for the first time as World Bank Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific, Victoria Kwakwa stated that the World Bank is committed to support Indonesia’s efforts to achieve higher economic growth and greater prosperity for its +250 million people. During her visit, Kwakwa met various government officials and stakeholders, including Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Chief Economics Minister Darmin Nasution, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, as well as representatives from civil society, opinion leaders, analysts and the private sector.

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Indonesia climbed 15 places in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index 2017 from 106 to 91, hence being among the ten biggest climbers. Overall, the World Bank saw a record 137 economies around the globe adopting key reforms that make it easier to start and operate small and medium-sized businesses. The World Bank released its latest index, titled “Doing Business 2017: Equal Opportunity for All” on Wednesday (26/10).

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In the October 2016 edition of its flagship Indonesia Economic Quarterly (IEQ) report, titled "Easing Pressures", the World Bank is positive about Indonesia's improved fiscal management and its impact on the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) growth. The Washington-based institution projects Indonesia's economic expansion at 5.1 percent (y/y) in 2016. However, it emphasizes that external risks (sluggish global economic growth and global market volatility) continue to pose a threat.

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The World Bank estimates that by 2025 Indonesia will have 68 percent of its population living in cities or urban communities. As such, Indonesia’s cities are among the fastest growing cities in the world. However, without a unified spatial data system, urban planning is a daunting task while urbanization challenges become harder to predict. The World Bank's City Planning Labs project provides support for the development of a single spatial data infrastructure in the cities of Indonesia.

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A new financial management system was launched in April 2015 by the Indonesian government. This new system, called Sistem Perbendaharaan dan Anggaran Negara (abbreviated SPAN), aims to enhance public efficiency, transparency and accountability in Indonesia by managing the financial transactions of more than 24,000 government spending units in all 33 provinces. According to a new World Bank story, Indonesia's new financial system has managed to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability. Moreover, it improves budget planning and spending.

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While Indonesia is currently in the middle of expanding its 4G network, the nation remains placed among the countries that have the poorest Internet penetration rate in the world. A recent World Bank report, titled 'World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends', zooms in on the economic and social impact that occurs when a relative large part of the population cannot be connected to the Internet or when the government fails to keep pace with the growth of technology.

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Although the government of Indonesia aims to lower the country's Gini coefficient to 39 in 2016, there continue to be more reports that see income inequality in Indonesia widening rather than declining. For example, a recent World Bank report notes that Indonesia's Gini coefficient rose from 30 in 2000 to 41 in 2015 (a reading of 0 represents perfect equality, while a reading of 100 represents perfect inequality). This rising trend will continue if the government fails to tackle this issue.

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Hari ini, Bank Dunia menerbitkan edisi terbaru dari publikasi andalannya Indonesia Economic Quarterly berjudul “Reformasi di Tengah Ketidakpastian". Dalam edisi ini, lembaga yang bermarkas di Washington ini menyatakan bahwa kondisi global masih tetap tidak menguntungkan meskipun kondisi pasar keuangan telah stabil sejak Oktober. Sementara itu, Indonesia terkena dampak negatif dari kebakaran hutan dan kabut asap beracun akibat perbuatan manusia yang merugikan Indonesia kira-kira Rp 221 triliun (atau 1,9% dari produk domestik bruto negara ini) dalam waktu lima bulan.

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