The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) expects to see a trade deficit in the month of April 2014 due to a significant increase of imports (around 11 percent month-to-month), while prices of a number of important export commodities have been under pressure (including coal and crude palm oil). Governor of Bank Indonesia Agus Martowardojo said that weak demand from China impacts negatively on the trade balance. Bank Indonesia's statement contradicts the institution's earlier statement which hinted at a surplus of USD $600 million in April.

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Indonesia Investments updated the analysis of Indonesia's inflation rate in our Macroeconomic Indicators section. Indonesian inflation, which is traditionally more volatile and higher (due to robust economic growth) than in advanced countries or other emerging markets, accelerated recently after administered price adjustments in mid-2013 (particularly higher fuel prices). As a result, Bank Indonesia required to raise its benchmark interest rate (BI rate) gradually from 5.75 percent in June 2013 to 7.50 percent in November 2013.

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Today (02/06), Statistics Indonesia released various important economic data that provide more insight into the state of the Indonesian economy. Two of these indicators - inflation and trade - are discussed in this column. Head of Statistics Indonesia Suryamin announced that inflation in May 2014 rose by 0.16 percent (slightly higher than previously expected), while the April 2014 trade balance of Indonesia recorded a USD $1.96 billion deficit. These data were not well received by the market, evidenced by sharp rupiah depreciation.

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The inflation rate of Indonesia rose slightly in November 2013 (month-to-month) and confirms estimations that inflation in Southeast Asia's largest economy is under control after having accelerated sharply due to the introduction of higher subsidized fuel prices June 2013. In recent months, inflation moved sideways and is expected to ease considerably in the first quarter of 2014. Indonesia's consumer price index rose 0.12 percent in November due to rising electricity, processed foods and health care costs.

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