The economy in Indonesia rounded out 2013 by posting relatively solid growth, despite a decline in global commodity prices and an increase in energy imports. The coming year’s performance is expected to be in high single digits, but risks include a tightening of external financing conditions and a softening of private consumption.
Estimates have put Indonesia’s year-end growth rate at between 5.8% and just over 6%, a figure the government expects will be surpassed in 2014, with GDP forecast to expand by 6-6.4%. Exports are projected to rebound, while dependence on imported energy is set to decline as domestic oil and gas production expands, and biofuels usage climbs.
Other analysts are less upbeat than the government. According to a report issued by the World Bank in mid-December, the Indonesian economy is expected to grow by 5.3% in 2014, a stronger performance than many other countries but down on the results of recent years and below its potential. The international lender also warned there could be significant risks in the coming year, citing shifting economic conditions and policies internationally – such as the US rollback of quantitative easing (QE) – which may further reduce the supply of foreign financing.
Another challenge facing Indonesia is its current account deficit (CAD), which the government would like to see reduced to below 3% of GDP in 2014, down from the roughly 3.6% expected at the end of 2013. The government’s hopes may be fulfilled, with the CAD shrinking in the third quarter, easing from $9.9bn (4.4% of GDP) as of the end of June, to $8.4bn (3.8%). The improvement in the latter part of the year was the result of an increase in commodities exports and a reduction in imports, according to Agus Martowardojo, governor of Bank Indonesia (BI), the central bank.
BI had a busy year, as it worked to shore up the rupiah. As was the case in many emerging markets in 2013, Indonesia saw its currency decline in value as speculation that the US Federal Reserve would ease its bond-buying activities spurred capital outflows starting in May. Over the course of the year, the rupiah fell by around 20%.
Another challenge for the central bank was inflation, which was expected to finish 2013 at or just below 8.5%. This is somewhat down on BI’s estimates from earlier in the year, which were in the 9-9.8% range, but well above the central bank’s target of 3.5-5.5%. Factors that contributed to inflation included currency depreciation, a reduction in government subsidies and a jump in food prices.
Despite higher fuel and food costs, private consumption continued to grow, increasing 5.5% year-on-year in the third quarter, a significant driving force for the economy, with household spending accounting for around 55% of all expenditure. As long as consumer confidence and spending remain resilient, Indonesia’s retail and services should continue to perform well in 2014.
One factor that could limit consumer activity is a further tightening of credit. BI raised its benchmark reference rate several times during the second half of the year, reaching 7.5% in November. Should the central bank move to raise rates again in response to inflationary pressures, consumer spending could slow.
In early December ratings agency Moody’s issued its latest outlook report on non-financial corporates in Indonesia, assessing the overall prognosis as stable. In its report, Moody’s said its position was driven by expectations of modest domestic growth, which would support expansion in the telecoms, media and property sectors, while also encouraging consumer spending. Though generally positive, the report did say the outlook could deteriorate if there was a slump in commodities prices, while an increase in interest rates or a further weakening of the rupiah would discourage investment.
Most indicators point to an expansion year for the Indonesian economy in 2014, though national and presidential elections in the middle of the year may bring some uncertainty for investors. That said, the forecasts of solid growth, domestic stability and improved trade figures should underpin a year of sound economic achievement this year.
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