• Indonesian Palm Oil Exports May Decline to 20 Million Tons in 2014

    The Indonesian Palm Oil Board (DMSI) expects exports of Indonesian crude palm oil (CPO) as well as its derivatives to fall about six to ten percent to 19-20 million tons in 2014 (from last year's export realization of 21.2 million tons). Lower CPO exports are primarily the result of Indonesia's mandatory biodiesel program which leads to increased domestic consumption of CPO. Traditionally, Indonesia exports about 75 percent of its total CPO production, particularly to the giant economies of China and India.

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  • Indonesia Susceptible to Capital Outflows due to Improving US Economy

    An improving US economy can lead to capital outflows worth IDR 130 trillion (US $11.2 billion) from Indonesia as funds are expected to flow back to the USA when interest rates are raised. Since 2009, emerging markets, including Indonesia, benefited from capital inflows amid large monetary stimulus provided by the Federal Reserve (quantitative easing as well as low interest rates). Although the stimulus was aimed at boosting the US economy, emerging markets felt the side effects (such as capital inflows and appreciating emerging market currencies).

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  • Financial Update Indonesia: Rupiah, Current Account and Bonds Issuance

    Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia) said that it expects the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate to trade between IDR 11,600 and IDR 11,800 per US dollar throughout the fiscal year of 2014. Governor of Bank Indonesia Agus Martowardojo said that this assumption is based on pressures that originate from Indonesia's current account deficit. In 2013, the current account deficit hit USD $29.09 billion, or 3.33 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). The current account balance has a major influence on the performance of a currency.

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  • Manufacturing PMI of Indonesia Hits New Record in May 2014

    Indonesia's HSBC Markit purchasing managers' index (PMI) reached its highest level ever at 52.4 in May 2014, up from 51.1 in April 2014, as new domestic orders rose (indicating an improvement in domestic activity). According to HSBC economist Su Sian Lim, the outcome may be evidence that the slowdown in domestic manufacturing is starting to bottom out. In the previous two months, the index indicated slowing manufacturing activity in Southeast Asia's largest economy although remained above the 50.0 level for nine straight months.

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