Deputy Governor of Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia) Perry Warjiyo said that as a consequence of the legislative and presidential elections, scheduled for April and July 2014, household consumption in Indonesia will grow an extra 0.2 percent. Domestic consumption, particularly household consumption accounts for around 55 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Bank Indonesia has curbed further growth of household consumption by raising the benchmark interest rate (BI rate) last year.

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The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia/BI) left its benchmark interest rate (BI rate) unchanged at 7.50 percent in the Board of Governor's Meeting on Thursday (13/02/14). This decision was in line with market expectations as several economic indicators have improved. In recent days, the rupiah exchange rate has shown a marked improvement to IDR 12,055 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index) as pressures on Indonesia's current account balance are easing and Bank Indonesia's foreign exchange reserves are rising.

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Statistics Indonesia (BPS) is optimistic that Indonesia's inflation rate in February 2014 can be curbed below the one percent mark. BPS official Sasmito Hadi Wibowo said that inflationary pressures are easing as floods have gone, while the LPG price moderated from last month. Prices of chicken meat and rice have remained stable but the price of chili is still growing slightly. In January 2014, severe floods caused 1.07 percent (month-to-month) of inflation due to disrupted distribution networks.

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Indonesians' consumer confidence has increased in January 2014 according to the latest survey conducted by Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia). The outcome of the survey indicated a rise of Indonesia's Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) from 116.5 in December 2013 to 116.7 in January 2014¹. This index illustrates consumer perceptions of current economic conditions compared to conditions in the previous six months as well as the expectations of Indonesian consumers for economic conditions in the next six months.

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Today (03/02), Statistics Indonesia released Indonesia's official inflation rate for January 2014. The monthly inflation rate accelerated to 1.07 percent, which is higher than most analysts had forecast. The main contributor to January's inflation were higher food products prices. Amid high rainfall and severe floods in several parts of Indonesia, disrupted logistics distribution impacted on these prices. The depreciating rupiah exchange rate is also a factor that makes retailers adjust their prices. Annual inflation rate eased from 8.38 percent to 8.22 percent.

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Today (03/02), Statistics Indonesia (BPS) will release a number of macroeconomic data which are eagerly awaited for by market participants. Most importantly, Indonesia's January 2014 inflation rate and the December 2013 trade balance. These data will have an impact on the performance of Indonesia's rupiah exchange rate and the country's benchmark stock index (IHSG). Monthly inflation in January is expected to range between 0.8 and 1.0 percent, while a trade surplus of about USD $800 million in December is forecast.

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On Sunday (26/01), Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that the floods in Jakarta have led to 23 casualties (due to drowning, electrocution or the impossibility for sick people to reach the hospital) in the last two weeks in Indonesia's capital city, while almost 28,000 people are still displaced from their homes. The good news, however, is that in many parts of Jakarta floodwaters have begun to subside since the end of last week although several neighborhoods remain flooded up to this day.

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Contrary to reports last week, the central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) expects that the country's January inflation rate may exceed 1 percent due to the disturbance of food products distribution amid severe floods in several cities in Indonesia, particularly Jakarta and Manado. Higher food prices are expected to add 0.3 percent to the monthly inflation rate. Apart from the flood issue, higher LPG as well as electricity tariffs (in the industry sector) will also contribute to January 2014 inflation.

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On Tuesday (21/01), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sent a positive message to the world as it slightly raised its forecast for global economic growth in 2014. The main reason for this upward revision is the improving economy of the USA. According to the IMF, the US economy will grow 2.8 percent in 2014 (0.2 percentage points higher than the IMF's previous outlook released in October 2013). Due to stronger US growth, the global economy is now expected to expand by 3.7 percent (0.1 percent up from its previous forecast).

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Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is optimistic that the country's inflation rate can be kept at 5.5 percent in 2014 as demand and supply of goods is expected to remain stable although the depreciating rupiah exchange rate and weak state of the country's infrastructure will continue to provide inflationary pressures. Deputy Finance Minister Bambang PS Brodjonegoro expects inflation in January 2014 to be lower than in the same month last year (1.03 percent) but it remains uncertain the extent to which the current floods will impact on the inflation rate.

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After continuously reaching new record-high levels last week, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) finally had to give up some of its gain and closed 1.04 percent lower. Declining Asian stock markets (excluding Japan's main index) and fears that the IHSG had already reached a (too) high level impacted on today's result. Market participants, who recently confirmed good corporate annual results of many companies by buying, now engaged in profit taking.

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Apparently, yesterday's decline was only a small stumbling block for the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG). Indonesia's main indicator rebounded strongly after feeling the effects of stronger American stock indices that were positively influenced by a rise in Housing Index and Consumer Confidence. Moreover, the IHSG accelerated its gain after Asian stock markets and the opening of Europe's stock indices were positive.

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