Thu, 12 Aug 1999

Forex reserves up to US$16.21 billion

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's net foreign exchange reserves increased slightly, by US$99.7 million to $16.21 billion, in the week ending on Aug. 6, from $16.11 billion the previous week.

The central bank said in a report issued on Wednesday the increase was mainly due to the disbursement of $107.1 million in loans from Japan.

Net foreign reserves were now well above the IMF-adjusted target of $14.3 billion, the bank said.

The central bank said its gross foreign exchange reserves, which are net foreign exchange reserves plus outstanding foreign exchange contracts, also increased during the week by $95.6 million to $26.68 billion.

Net claims on the government were down by Rp 967 billion, to Rp 128.19 trillion, due to receipts from oil and gas and tax.

Open Market Operations expanded by Rp 1.06 trillion, to minus Rp 88.35 trillion, mainly due to repayments at the maturity of central bank certificates of deposit.

The central bank said net domestic assets during the week rose by Rp 1.36 trillion to minus Rp 42.26 trillion.

It noted the level was below the IMF-adjusted target of minus Rp 28.85 trillion. (gis)

Table A: Foreign reserves (in millions of dollars)

July 23 July 30 Aug. 6

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Gross foreign assets 26,619.0 26,587.5 26,683.2

- Liquid reserves * - - -

- Other reserves ** - - -

Gross foreign liabilities 9,639.2 9,639.2 9,639.2

Net forward positions 0.0 0.0 0.0

Reserve against

foreign currency deposits 834.3 833.3 829.2

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Net international reserves 16,145.5 16,115.0 16,214.7

* Liquid gross foreign assets include gold, foreign securities, offshore deposits and special drawing rights.

** Other gross foreign assets include export drafts, deposits in offshore branches of domestic banks and deposits kept in foreign banks to guarantee letters of credit.

Table B: Monetary indicators (in billions of rupiah)

July 23 July 30 Aug.6

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Base money 74,900 77,247 79,353

- Currency in circulation 48,522 50,690 51,390

- Deposits at central bank 25,660 25,818 27,204

Net international reserves

(Rupiah at constant rate) 121,091 120,863 121,610

(in millions of dollars) 16,145.5 16,115 16,214.7

Net domestic assets -46,191 -43,616 -42,257

- Net claims on government 126,301 129,159 128,192

- Net claims on IBRA 14,437 14,441 14,441

- Liquidity credits 26,122 26,665 26,584

(credits to Bulog) 7,744 7,985 7,985

- Open market operations -88,174 -89,412 -88,355

Source: Bank Indonesia