S&P gives country positive rating<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Global rating agency Standard and Poor's (S&P) sees \"positive
\nbias\" in the sovereign rating of Indonesia, along with four
\nother Asia-Pacific countries.<\/p>\n
The four others with positive rating outlooks are China,
\nThailand, Pakistan and the Cook Islands, the agency said in its
\nlatest report issued on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The Asia-Pacific Report Card, August 2004 also provides
\nupdates on credit developments in each of the 18 rated sovereigns
\nin the region.<\/p>\n
S&P revised its rating on Indonesia from stable to positive a
\nfew months ago.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's presidential election, which proved swift,
\npeaceful and orderly, has contributed in part to the agency's
\nconfidence on the country's economic prospects.<\/p>\n
Standard & Poor's credit analyst Ping Chew noted that the
\nelectoral process this year in emerging Asia had, for the most
\npart, proceeded remarkably smoothly.<\/p>\n
\"At the beginning of the year, we feared that the elections in
\na number of Asia's democracies would give raise to civil
\ndisturbances that might derail consolidation of economic and
\nfiscal conditions.<\/p>\n
\"So far, however, the democratic process has been orderly,
\nsuch as in Indonesia, even if there have been some surprising or
\ncontentious outcomes, such as in India and Taiwan,\" Chew said in
\nthe statement.<\/p>\n
Economic recovery, which began in mid-2003, has continued into
\n2004, with revival in domestic demand occurring across most of
\nthe Asia Pacific, led by China.<\/p>\n
Challenges remain, however, with soaring oil prices being the
\ngreatest threat, the statement said.<\/p>\n
\"A worsening security situation in the Middle East could
\nsustain high oil prices, affecting trade, cost and inflation in
\nthe Asia Pacific,\" Chew said.<\/p>\n
\"Growth could decelerate, but is unlikely to be derailed.\"<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sp-gives-country-positive-rating-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }