External Factors Responsible for Rupiah's Fall: Chief Minister

Jakarta (Antara) - External factors were responsible for the depreciation of the country's currency in the past few weeks, Indonesian Chief Economic Minister Sofyan Djalil stated here on Tuesday. "This is a global trend that has affected not only Indonesia but all currencies too have suffered tremendous pressures," he remarked at his office. Sofyan said that the improving US economy and appreciation of its currency coupled with anticipatory measures adopted by its central bank such as the upcoming policy have all contributed to depreciating the rupiah. In comparison to the currencies of other countries, the rupiah is still relatively better and has not been under significant pressure, he pointed out. "The condition of the rupiah is not bad, not the worst. Until today, the annual depreciation of the rupiah is recorded at only four percent," he stated. (*)