BI predicts 2008 economic growth may reach 6.1 %
Monday, 9 December 2008
The Indonesian central bank, Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Boediono has
expressed optimism that the country`s economic growth rate can reach 6.1
percent this year, despite the sluggish world economic growth. "The sluggishness (of the world economy) will affect
national economic growth in accordance with the reduced growth of
exports, investment and public consumption. However, the Indonesian
economy as a while is estimated to grow 6.1 percent in 2008," Boediono
said at the Parliament Building here on Tuesday. Meanwhile, inflationary pressures were diminishing.
The November inflation rate was at 0.12 percent (mtm) or 11.68 percent,
which was lower than the inflation rate in November last year. The BI Governor said that the decline in oil and
commodity prices had eased domestic inflationary pressures. He was
optimistic that the inflation rate would continue to decline in 2009. "The decline in inflationary pressures is predicted
to continue in 2009, so that it could reach a target range of 6.5 -7.5
percent," he said. BI also predicted that the economic growth in 2009
would be above five percent. BI Deputy Governor Hartadi A Sarwono earlier said
that the 2009 economic growth was estimated at five percent. "The economic growth at around five percent is still
very good. And it`s estimated to be above five percent, it could be 5.3
or 5.4 percent, he said. He said that the economic growths of all countries in
the world declined due to the ongoing global financial crisis in the US. Indonesia was also affected by the crisis because its
exports would also tumble, he said. The world even predicted that the US would fall
into recession, especially if the economic policy of President-elect
Barack Obama was considered lack credible, he said. (ANTARA)
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