Governor of BI: Our Economic Development Assessed Good Enough

Governor of BI, Agus Martowardojo answering the reporters’ questions after received by President Jokowi, at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (25/2)

Although there is a tendency weakening of rupiah exchange rate in recent times, in general could be said that the development of our economy (Indonesia) is quite good.

“We can see that in January deflation. We also predicted in February will be controllable. More over some government policies to reform the management of fuel subsidy (BBM) it could make the inflation will be maintained,” the Governor of Bank Indonesia (BI) Agus Martowardojo said after received by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (25/2) morning.

Governor of BI also appreciates the enactment of the State Budget Amendment (APBN-P) 2015 on time, so it would be good to plan realization by the government.

On the monetary side, according to Agus Martowardojo, we must be aware of developments in the United States (US) that its economy is likely to continue improve, and also be aware of countries such as Europe, Japan also conduct quantitative easing or easing monetary policy.

“We also noticed that China as a main trading partner of Indonesia, now having with the new normal growth, because it is no longer in the range of 10-9 per cent, but only lead to 7-6 per cent, so that it will look at the dynamics that exist in the world and at national, and this is what we coordinate,” Agus said.

Price of Rice

Regarding the increase of  rice price, the Governor of BI Agus Martowardojo admitted that it had an increase and it would be a concern. But Agus get excited over government measures that have identified problems, and make decisions to increase the supply of rice from Bulog.

“With the abundance of up to 300 thousand tons, it is estimated that the price of rice that yesterday there was a slight increase will be controllable,” Agus said, adding that it is also supported by the possibility of harvest in next March-April.

He also had the pleasure with the trade balance has been in surplus, thus allowing non-oil exports of Indonesia continues to improve. “With the fuel subsidy reform we hope there is no need to import fuel that is too large and subsidized, which ultimately will make the fiscal or budget is not optimal,” Agus said. (Humas Setkab/WID/ES)