"I am optimistic we will gain the investment grade next year. If the European crisis does not happen we will achieve it early next year. But at least at the end of next year we will gain it," he said here on Wednesday.
Not only did Indonesia have good economic stability and high economic growth but also yield on its state debt securities (SBN) was higher than those of other countries which had gained an investment grade status such as Italy, he said.
"We have informed rating agencies of the matter and they always monitor developments in all countries including Indonesia," he said.
But the current European crisis and the US crisis in 2008 had caused a number of international rating agencies to be more careful in determining the debt rating of a country, he said.
"They are not willing to be blamed any longer like what happened in the US some time ago," he said.
If Indonesia gained an investment grade it would have a great chance of attracting large investment and thereby it would encourage the attainment of higher economic growth, he said.
Since May 2011, three international rating agencies, namely S&P, Fitch and Moody`s have put Indonesia one level away from an investment grade.
S&P has assigned its BB+ rating, Fitch BB rating and Moody`s Ba1 rating for Indonesia.
Credit rating had significant meaning for investors to asses long-term investment in Indonesia.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
