Other domestic economic data that is being awaited by investors is Indonesia’s external debt.

Last week’s trade statistics were mixed. Although Indonesia’s current account deficit improved to 1.8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2015 and Indonesia posted a higher-than-expected USD $454.4 million trade surplus in April 2015, the Q1-2015 current account deficit improved less markedly than had been projected, while the April trade surplus was particularly caused by sharply falling imports (signalling slowing economic activity in Indonesia).

Bank Indonesia's benchmark rupiah rate (Jakarta Interbank Spot Dollar Rate, abbreviated JISDOR) depreciated 0.19 percent to IDR 13,116 per US dollar on Monday (18/05).

Indonesian Rupiah versus US Dollar (JISDOR):

| Source: Bank Indonesia

Further Reading:

Dilemma Bank Indonesia: To Cut Interest Rates or Not?
Indonesia Posts Trade Surplus in April but Concerns about Economy Rise
Indonesia’s Current Account Deficit Improves to 1.8% of GDP in Q1-2015

Bahas