Indonesia’s exports plunge before coronavirus-led supply disruptions

Bloomberg

Indonesia’s exports slumped in January just as the coronavirus began spreading, with Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati warning of a hit to global trade.
Exports fell 3.7% from a year ago versus a median estimate for a surplus of 1.2% in a Bloomberg survey of economists, the statistics office said on Monday.
Imports declined 4.8%, resulting in a trade deficit of $864 million, more than twice the $375 million shortfall forecast in the survey.
While Indonesia is yet to record a single case of the deadly virus, the government is sounding alarm bells over a potential hit to Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. Growth prospects are at risk and the budget is under pressure, the finance minister said.
“In terms of supply chains, you can’t exclude China and say it is only China’s problem, this will be a global problem,” Indrawati said on Monday in Jakarta. The underlying assumptions contained in the state budget must be watched “very carefully” because they may deviate, she said, adding that the forecast for growth is under threat.
Indonesia’s central bank cut interest rates four times last year to spur growth, which is projected to reach 5.3% this year. It’s been on hold for the past three policy meetings, and economists are divided on whether the bank will act this week.
“The impact of Covid-19 through merchandise trade channels is expected to take its toll within the next three months,” said Wisnu Wardana, an economist at PT Bank Danamon in Jakarta. He said he expects Bank Indonesia to stay on hold on Thursday.