12 Countries Seek IMF Loans, Purbaya: Indonesia Does Not Need Them!
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The surge in energy prices and supply disruptions due to the war in the Middle East are causing the global crisis pressures to deepen, particularly for developing countries.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed that at least 12 countries are preparing to apply for new loans to mitigate the impact of these global uncertainties.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated that demand for financial assistance could surge significantly. She estimated that the need for new support could reach US$20 billion to US50billion, equivalenttoRp340trilliontoRp850trillion(exchangerateRp17, 000/US).
“Disruptions from the war could trigger large-scale new demand for financial support, either in the form of new loans or additions to existing programmes,” Georgieva said during a press conference on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, as quoted by Reuters, Thursday (16/4/2026).
She added that some sub-Saharan African countries have begun seeking assistance. However, the IMF has not yet discussed additional loan programmes for Egypt, which currently has a facility worth US$8 billion or approximately Rp136 trillion.
On the other hand, the Indonesian government is optimistic that it still has sufficient fiscal space to face global pressures.
This statement was made by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa after meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva during the IMF Spring Meetings in Washington DC, United States.
“Of course, Indonesia does not need it because our country is doing quite well, and we still have a fairly large limit, namely Rp420 T that I mentioned earlier,” he said.
The IMF even questioned how Indonesia managed to remain solid amid the not-so-easy situation. Purbaya responded that this resilience is the result of policy changes implemented by the government since last year.
These policy reforms are deemed to have made Indonesia’s economy more prepared to face external shocks.
“Why can we endure in the midst of global conditions like this? But I explained that we have indeed changed policies since last year, and it seems clear. So we are experiencing acceleration when there are shocks from global uncertainties, from high oil prices. Thus, we can absorb the shocks that occur,” he said.