"We should increase export, but it would not be that easy to do it," Roeslani told the press here on Tuesday.
The central bank (BI) has recorded a current account deficit of US$8 billion in the second quarter of 2018, or three percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), higher than the first quarter`s deficit at $5.7 billion, or 2.2 percent of GDP.
According to Roeslani, the wider current account deficit has become one factor behind the current weakening of rupiah against the US dollar.
He predicted that Indonesia`s current account deficit would continue to increase to some $25 billion by the end of the year.
"The issue of CAD must be addressed jointly. The business sector has made lots of discussions with the government," he added.
The weakening rupiah must be used to help encourage export, he remarked.
Despite the country`s good economic fundamentals, the US central bank`s plan to increase its benchmark interest rate twice by the end of 2018 would raise the potential increase in cost of fund, he revealed.
"A swing from high rate currency would make it difficult for businesses to predict their balance in the future," he pointed out.
Reporting by Calvin Basuki
Editing Sri Haryati, Bustanuddin
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
