BI sees slower Q2 GDP growth on-year

Indonesia's annual economic growth in the second quarter is estimated to be lower
than the first quarter, Bank Indonesia (BI) deputy governor Budi Mulya said on Friday, Reuters reported.

He said that the inflation rate next year would be at 5% plus or minus 1%, while he estimated bank lending would grow 11-12% in 2009.

Mulya also said BI forecast annual inflation at 4-6% at the end of 2010.

Meanwhile, the flow of foreign funds into the country since early in January had reached $4 billion, Mulya said, Antara reported.

"It can be said that the process of recovery in the financial market is relatively short. Foreign capital has flown back especially through state debentures, BI Certificates and shares and this year to date (January to August) it has reached $4 billion," he said.

He said the incoming foreign funds could be seen from the Jakarta composite index which rose sharply from 1,111 in October 2008 to above 2,300 points now and even to 2,360 on Thursday.

He said he believed the foreign funds would still continue to come as investors were still seeking a place to put their funds.