Update COVID-19 in Indonesia: 70,736 confirmed infections, 3,417 deaths (9 July 2020)
Indonesia Investments Report - June 2020 Edition: Indonesia's New Normal
6 July 2020 (closed)
USD/IDR (14,501) +55.01 +0.38%
EUR/IDR (16,343) -41.31 -0.25%
Jakarta Composite Index (5,052.79) -23.38 -0.46%
Below is a list with tagged columns and company profiles.
Today's Headlines Inflation
Indonesia's inflation rate was recorded at 0.28 percent month-on-month (m/m) in July 2018, slightly below estimates. Still, the country's annual inflation rate accelerated to 3.18 percent (y/y) in July, from 3.12 percent in the preceding month.
Indonesian inflation was mild at 0.59 percent month-on-month (m/m) in June 2018, a month in which rising consumption amid the latter half of the Ramadan month and subsequent Eid al-Fitr celebrations gives rise to inflationary pressures in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation. On an annual basis, Indonesian inflation eased to 3.12 percent (y/y), down from 3.23 percent (y/y) in the preceding month.
Indonesian inflation was slightly below estimates at 0.21 percent month-on-month (m/m) in May 2018 because food price increases were modest amid the Islamic fasting month (Ramadan), a period when consumption (hence demand for food) tends to rise. Although the Muslim community fasts during daytime, in the morning and evening many food parties are organized and therefore, overall, consumption rises during Ramadan and the subsequent Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
In a speech in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the government targets an economic growth rate in the range of 5.4 - 5.8 percent year-on-year (y/y) for 2019. She said this range is a realistic one. Moreover, growth should be inclusive and equal, meaning all people across the nation should see an increase in their welfare. The government will give special focus on the acceleration of growth in eastern Indonesia, border areas, the outermost areas and underdeveloped regions.
The pace of Indonesia's headline inflation was recorded at 0.10 percent month-on-month (m/m) in April 2018, a relatively high pace compared to April inflation in recent years. However, compared to the preceding month (when the consumer price index rose 0.20 percent m/m) Indonesian inflation eased. Meanwhile, on a year-on-year (y/y) basis inflation accelerated modestly to 3.41 percent (y/y) from 3.40 percent (y/y) in the preceding month. Calendar-year inflation accumulated to 1.09 percent in the first four months of 2018.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) stated in its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) report, which was released on Wednesday (11/04), that it expects the Indonesian economy to expand by 5.3 percent year-on-year (y/y) in 2018 and 2019 on the back of rising investment and an improvement in household consumption.
Indonesia's Statistics Agency (BPS) announced that the nation's headline inflation rose 0.20 percent month-to-month (m/m) in March 2018 especially due to a rise in prices of fuel and spices. Meanwhile, on a year-on-year (y/y) basis, Indonesia's inflation rate accelerated to 3.40 percent in the third month of the year, up from 3.18 percent (y/y) in the preceding month but still comfortably within the central bank's target range of 2.5 - 4.5 percent (y/y) for full-year 2018.
The Statistics Agency (BPS) announced that Indonesia's headline inflation reached 0.17 percent month-on-month (m/m) in February 2018. This is a lower inflation rate compared to February 2017 (+0.23 percent m/m), hence the country's annual headline inflation eased to 3.18 percent (y/y) in February 2018, from 3.25 percent (y/y) in the preceding month.
Annual headline inflation in Indonesia eased to 3.25 percent year-on-year (y/y) in January 2018, from 3.61 percent (y/y) in the preceding month. The decline in Indonesian inflation was slightly steeper than had been estimated by analysts. The latest consumer price index data were released by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) just before noon on Thursday (01/02).
Indonesia's consumer price index (CPI) finished the year 2017 at the level of 3.61 percent year-on-year (y/y), slightly higher than analysts' forecasts but well within the government's full-year inflation target of 4.3 percent. Indonesian full-year 2017 inflation was the nation's highest annual inflation since 2014 when inflation surged to 8.36 percent (y/y) due to fuel subsidy reforms.
Latest Columns Inflation
Indonesia’s benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index) fell 0.43 percent to 5,220.00 points on Monday (05/01) amid profit taking on a relatively quiet trading day on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Meanwhile, the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate depreciated 0.55 percent to IDR 12,614 per US dollar according to the Bloomberg Dollar Index as concerns about Greece exiting the euro intensified and boosted US dollar demand. Moreover, market participants were still reacting to Indonesia’s latest trade and inflation data.
Indonesia’s inflation pace accelerated in December 2014, exceeding estimations of analysts and Indonesia’s central bank. December inflation, 2.46 percent (m/m) or 8.36 percent (y/y), accelerated due to the impact of higher subsidized fuel prices (introduced in November) and volatile food prices (fluctuating rice and chili prices at the year-end). Other factors that contributed to high inflation in 2014 were higher electricity tariffs for households and industries, the higher price of 12 kg LPG, and an airfare adjustment.
Indonesia’s inflation reached 2.46 percent month-to-month (m/m) in December 2014 due to the impact of higher subsidized fuel prices implemented on 18 November 2014. On a year-on-year (y/y) basis, Indonesia’s inflation was recorded at 8.36 percent, slightly lower than the result in 2013 (8.38 percent). Inflation has been high in 2013 and 2014 as the Indonesian government raised prices of subsidized fuels in both years in an attempt to relieve fiscal pressures brought about by costly oil imports.
A team of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by David Cowen (advisor at the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department), visited several Indonesian cities in the first three weeks of December 2014 to conduct research on the economic fundamentals of Southeast Asia’s largest economy. This research included the study of recent macroeconomic developments as well as the formulation of prognosis scenarios for the short and middle term. The IMF team held discussions with the government, Bank Indonesia, private entrepreneurs and scholars.
International credit rating agency Fitch Ratings maintained Indonesia’s sovereign rating at BBB-/stable outlook (investment grade). Baradita Katoppo, President Director of Indonesia’s Fitch Ratings branch, said that the firm is positive about the country’s financial fundamentals and prudent fiscal policy as the central bank has showed to prefer stability over growth, resulting in slowing credit growth and rising foreign exchange reserves in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Economic growth is expected to fall to 5.1 percent (y/y) in 2014.
The central bank of Indonesia expects that Indonesia’s current account deficit will decline to below the three percent of gross domestic product (GDP) mark by the end of this year supported by sharply falling global oil prices and Indonesia’s recent subsidized fuel price hike. Hendar, Deputy Governor of the central bank, said that for every USD $1 decline in global oil prices, the country’s current account deficit narrows by about USD $170 million. Indonesia’s current account deficit fell to 3.1 percent of GDP in Q3-2014 (from 4.06 percent of GDP in Q2-2014).
The Governor of Indonesia’s central bank, Agus Martowardojo, said that he expects inflation to accelerate to 6.1 percent year-on-year (y/y) in November 2014, significantly up from 4.83 percent y/y in the previous month. Accelerated inflation is caused by the multiplier effect triggered by the recent subsidized fuel price hike in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. On 18 November 2014, the government introduced higher prices for subsidized fuels in a bid to reallocate public spending from fuel consumption to structural development.
Last week, Indonesian President Joko Widodo introduced higher subsidized fuel prices in Southeast Asia’s largest economy in a bid to shift generous public spending from fuel consumption to productive and structural economic and social development. Prices of subsidized low-octane gasoline (premium) and diesel (solar) were raised by over 30 percent, or IDR 2,000 (USD $0.17) per liter, starting from 00:00 on Tuesday (18/11). Widodo aims to reallocate these funds to infrastructure, social welfare and the maritime sector.
After Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla have confirmed that prices of subsidized fuels (gasoline and diesel) will be raised in November 2014 in an attempt to ease the country’s wide current account deficit and government budget deficit (which are primarily caused by costly oil imports), domestic car manufacturers and dealers are expected to post declining earnings in 2015. Besides the subsidized fuel price issue, Indonesia’s car industry is also negatively impacted by the country’s slowing economic growth.
Today (20/10), Central Jakarta seems to have changed into one big party as Joko Widodo was inaugurated as Indonesia’s seventh president earlier this morning. For the remainder of the day celebrations will be held at Monas (National Monument) and surrounding areas. However, it is of vital importance that Widodo (popularly known as Jokowi) will start to focus on this presidential duties tomorrow as the country is facing a number of economic challenges. What are these challenges?
