CONTEXT NEWS

-- Indonesia's central bank said on March 4 it was holding its benchmark interest rate steady at 6.74 percent but that it would watch inflation and control imported inflation by allowing its currency to strengthen.

-- Indonesia's consumer price index in February, a measure of annual price increases, fell to 6.8 percent from 7 percent in January. Core inflation, which excludes food prices and other costs subsidised by the government, rose to 4.5 percent from 4.2 percent in January. The rupiah has risen 3 percent since Jan. 24.

-- The Bank of Korea also left rates unchanged in February. It left its benchmark policy rate at 2.75 percent despite a 4.1 percent increase in consumer prices.

-- Fitch, the credit ratings agency, said last month that Indonesia was close to achieving an investment grade ratings for the first time since the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998 thanks to a strengthening economy and an improving credit profile.