Public Information Notice No. 12/112

Public Information Notice: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2012 Article IV Consultation with Indonesia

September 25, 2012

On September 7, 2012, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Indonesia.¹

Background

Indonesia’s economic performance remains strong. At 6.5 percent, growth in 2011 was the highest in over a decade. Growth is now easing modestly on account of the weakened external environment, offset partly by continuing strong domestic demand. Exports have declined in volume terms so far in 2012, while import growth has accelerated sharply on account of strong investment, which grew at 20 percent (Q2, year-on-year). Robust private consumption and a wider fiscal deficit have also provided some support to growth this year. With external demand expected to remain weak and inventories, which have built up significantly in recent months, expected to level out, economic growth is projected at 6 percent for 2012 before it picks up again in 2013.

Headline CPI inflation bottomed out at 3.7 percent (year-on-year) in January, but with sequential momentum strong for both core and noncore items, it rose to 4.6 percent in July. Inflation is expected to end the year at 5 percent, within the authorities’ target range of 4.5±1 percent.

The fiscal stance is expected to continue to provide a moderate stimulus, with the 2012 deficit projected to rise to 1.8 percent of GDP, up from 1.1 percent in 2011. An increase in subsidized energy prices, proposed by the government for this year in April, was put off by parliament, unless oil prices exceed a revised higher threshold. The postponement of the price adjustment will boost energy subsidies to 3.5 percent of GDP, compared with the 2.6 percent of GDP in total allocated to all of development spending.

Both the rupiah and equity markets came under pressure during the spring of 2012 when outflows picked up sharply, compounding pressures on the exchange rate from the weakening current account. Bank Indonesia (BI) initially resisted market pressures, which contributed to illiquidity in the foreign exchange market, with onshore/offshore spreads widening sharply in early May. Market conditions improved subsequently after BI increased its sales of foreign exchange, while also allowing the rupiah to depreciate at a faster rate. The current account is expected to record a deficit of 1.9 percent of GDP this year, funded mostly by strong foreign direct investment inflows.

Despite some tightening of liquidity conditions and the imposition of prudential limits on consumer and property lending in recent months, financial conditions remain accommodative. As global conditions deteriorated and domestic inflation slowed during August 2011−February 2012, BI eased monetary policy. Since May, unsterilized sales of foreign exchange have helped absorb some excess liquidity, money market rates have risen 30−50 basis points (bps), and BI has increased the lower bound of its interest rate policy corridor by 25 bps. However, liquidity remains high in historical comparison and credit growth (26 percent year-on-year) continues at a robust pace.

Banking system asset quality remains satisfactory and banks are profitable and well capitalized. The authorities have taken several important steps recently to strengthen financial stability. These include: (i) the establishment of a Financial Services Authority that will be fully operational by end-2014; (ii) establishment of a high level forum for coordinating financial stability; and (iii) finalization of a Memorandum of Understanding among all entities currently responsible for financial stability. However, the passage of an effective financial system safety net legislation remains outstanding.

Executive Board Assessment

Executive Directors commended the authorities for their sound economic management, which has helped Indonesia maintain a strong economic performance despite a challenging global environment. Directors noted that, although downside risks remain elevated, the economy’s sound fundamentals and ample buffers would allow counter cyclical policy responses, if needed.

Directors noted that, while inflation is within the target band, excess bank liquidity and rapid credit growth warrant continued vigilance and a tightening bias for monetary policy. More broadly, they welcomed the ongoing review of the monetary policy framework, and encouraged the authorities to strengthen their communications strategy to send clearer signals to financial markets and better inform market expectations.

Directors commended the soundness and resilience of the financial system, noting that banks are well capitalized and profitable. They welcomed various initiatives underway to bolster financial regulation and oversight, and recommended careful implementation to minimize transitional risks. They also encouraged the authorities to move quickly to address the remaining gaps in the regime against money laundering and terrorism financing.

Executive Directors welcomed the authorities’ commitment to exchange rate flexibility. They underscored that official intervention in the foreign exchange market should take place in the context of a well defined strategy to limit short run volatility. Further development of domestic capital markets would also aid the intermediation of capital flows, reducing volatility. Directors took note of the staff’s assessment that the exchange rate is moderately under valued.

Directors commended the authorities’ prudent fiscal policies grounded on a strong fiscal framework that has led to a build up of fiscal buffers and a decline in the public debt. They generally considered the modest fiscal stimulus in 2012 to be appropriate in the face of headwinds to growth from the external environment. Directors encouraged the authorities to further advance with fiscal reforms, highlighting the need to improve budget execution, re orient government spending toward the social sectors and infrastructure, replace energy subsidies with targeted cash transfers to the vulnerable, and boost revenue collections.

Directors agreed that deeper structural reforms hold the key to sustained, broad based economic growth. In particular, an open foreign trade and investment regime will be crucial, and should be balanced carefully against domestic industrial policy considerations. In this context, Directors encouraged the authorities to push ahead with reforms to increase Indonesia’s productivity and competitiveness. These would include more investment in human capital, a reduction in the cost of doing business, deepening of financial markets, and labor market reforms. Infrastructure and supply bottlenecks also need to be addressed.