Indonesia is yet another emerging market to have exploded out of the gates of the last recession. Over the last year, Indonesia’s ETF is up 45%. As with any developing market, there’s risk, but Indonesia is laying out the canvas for a bright future.

Indonesia is blessed with a few characteristics that position it for a bright economic future.

• Indonesia’s population is young and growing.
• Jakarta, the nation’s capital, is expected to be the largest city in the world within two decades, reports Berni Moestafa of BusinessWeek.
• Domestic consumption makes up two-thirds of the economy. That has helped shelter Indonesia from the last recession that rocked the more developed and/or export-dependent nations.
• Low inflation has allowed the central bank to keep rates at a record low of 6.5%. Inflation averaged 3.8% in the first five months of this year.

As a result, the IMF has forecast that Indonesia will grow 6% this year, up from 4.5% last year. Trade Minister Mari Pangestu believes the country can grow exports at 7% to 8.5%, reports Jason Folkmanis of BusinessWeek.

European demand remains a concern, but so far, the fallout in Europe has not seemed to affect Indonesia’s exports too much. Exports grew 19.6% in the first quarter compared to last year.

According to Gita Wirjawan, chairman of the Investment Coordinating Board of Indonesia, 6% to 7% growth is “pretty much in the pocket.”

Source: Seekingalpha.com

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