JAKARTA: Indonesia's central bank is expected to keep its benchmark policy rate unchanged on Thursday to maintain economic growth amid growing pressure on its exports, a Reuters poll showed.
All 11 analysts unanimously expect that the key reference rate would be maintained at 7.50 percent for the seventh monetary policy meeting in a row to maintain economic growth despite a surprise $2 billion trade deficit on April.
Sliding exports pushed Indonesia's trade balance into its second biggest monthly deficit in five years, suggesting the current account will continue to remain under pressure.
Bank Indonesia increased its key interest rate by 175 basis points between June and November last year to help rein in the current account deficit and support the rupiah.
The analysts also expected the central bank to keep the deposit facility rate, or FASBI unchanged at 5.75 percent, and the lending facility rate unchanged at 7.50 percent.
Six out of eight analysts in the poll estimated Bank Indonesia would likely make no change to the key interest rate through the end of the year.
Annual inflation stood at 7.32 percent in May, picking up from 7.25 percent in April, due to higher food prices.
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