Syahril and Dorodjatun

Syahril and Dorodjatun

It is good news for economic recovery. Bank Indonesia (BI) will ease monetary liquidity. The central bank also intends to maintain the level of the rupiah at Rp 8,450-Rp 9,000 per U.S. dollar. No less important is that the 2002 state budget target of keeping inflation at 9 percent to 10 percent may be achieved.

All of these optimistic tidings were revealed by Bank Indonesia Governor Syahril Sabirin during a recent press briefing, where he was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti. This press briefing was really important for a number of reasons.

First, it took place right after a meeting of BI's board of directors. Second, it is rare for a BI governor to give a press briefing side-by-side with a ranking economics official.

Thus, the joint briefing by BI Governor Syahril Sabirin and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Dorodjatun Kuntjoro- Jakti symbolizes better relations between economic policy-makers and the monetary authorities.

This is indeed a positive sign which should increase -- directly or indirectly -- market confidence in our policy-makers.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta