BI OPTIMISTIC ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE TO REACH 4-5 PERCENT

Jakarta, Feb. 16 (ANTARA) - Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Boediono has expressed optimism that Indonesia's economy will reach a growth rate of 4 -6 percent in 2009.

"We are optimistic the national economic growth rate in 2009 will reach the level of 4 - 5 percent," Boediono said at the Finance Ministry here on Monday.
However, the economic growth rate might be slightly below the four percent level if the global economic crisis worsens, he said.
Recently, the government corrected its 2009 economic growth target from 5 percent to 4.7 percent following the global economic slump.
"Export-imports, both in volume and value, through Tanjung Prior Harbor have indicated that we might miss the 2009 economic projection," Finance Minister Sri Mulyani said recently.
Meanwhile BI Deputy Senior Governor Miranda S Goeltom predicted that the Indonesian economy in 2009 might slow down deeper than estimated.
The central bank's official said the global economic condition had very much affected Indonesia's export performance this year, and in turn would also affect the people's purchasing power and investment.
Domestic demands, especially household consumption, were expected to help boost the country's economic growth, she said.
Besides, the government's commitment to realizing the budget earlier than schedule, the civil servants' salary rise, the upcoming general elections and the increase in workers' minimum wage would also be factors which foster the household consumption, she said.