Governor of the Central Bank Perry Warjiyo said the instrument of benchmark interest in 2019 would be used to maintain economic stability with parameters of exchange rate and inflation.
Perry dismissed suggestion that the Central Bank has slowed down the economic growth by raising its benchmark interest rate.
In six months from May to November this year, the Central Bank raised the its benchmark interest rate, "7Day Reverse Repo Rate" by 175 basis points to 6 percent at present.
He said there are a number of policies that could drive the economic growth - first by increasing alternative instruments to finance economic development; second, maintaining banking liquidity to encourage banks to continue its funding function; third, relaxation of macro-prudential policy and fourth, digitalization policy in payment system to increase consumption and the public income.
He said the economy could still grow 5.2 percent (yoy) in 2019.
"The economic growth range of 5-5.4 percent with middle point at 5.2 percent . But it could be 5.3 percent and 5.4 percent," he said.
Meanwhile, the country`s largest private bank PT. Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) reminded Bank Indonesia to remain on guard against potential liquidity tightening in 2019 pointing to the central bank`s policy of ahead of the curve.
BCA President Director Jahja Setiaatmadjasaid currently the bank liquidity is already tight as indicated by the Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) now already reaching 94 percent.
"The problem is the market liquidity already reached 94 percent. If third party fund grew only 8 percent and credit 12 percent next year, the LDR would expand. In this we have to be more watchful," Jahja said.
Reporting by Indra Arief Pribadi, A Saragih
Editing by Suharto
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
