RI'S ECONOMY TO GROW LESS THAN 3 PCT: APINDO

Medan, N Sumatra, Feb 21 (ANTARA) - Chief of the Indonesian Businessmen Association (Apindo) Sofyan Wanandi has predicted the economy will grow less than 3 percent this year because of the global economic slowdown.

"It is difficult for the economy to grow more than 3 percent because the global crisis which started last October will affect the economy the most this year," he said at a dialog on the impact of the global crisis here on Saturday.
On average the prices of export commodities plunged by up to 50 percent, he said.
"With all countries facing financial difficulties because of the crisis, don't expect the prices of export commodities will return to the level in 2008," he said.
The economy grew the slowest in two years in the fourth quarter of 2008 as the global economic slowdown slash commodity prices and export demand.