Indonesia's GDP growth to post 3.29% in 2002

Indonesia's GDP growth to post 3.29% in 2002

Reuters, Jakarta

Indonesia is forecast to post 3.29 percent economic growth next year compared with 3.01 percent this year, as an improved political situation is expected to boost consumer confidence, a Reuters poll showed on Wednesday.

"We are more optimistic (GDP growth in 2002) will be higher than in 2001. (Instability) due to the political transition during the year has encouraged people to delay consumption," said Lin Che Wei with SG Securities, one of 10 research houses polled.

"We are not saying there will be constant stability but at least next year will be better than this year," he added.

Indonesia said earlier this month it aimed to reach annual economic growth of 6-7 percent in the coming years, adding that poverty and unemployment would be hard to cut if GDP growth remained at 3-5 percent.