Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) estimates that Indonesias economic growth in 2016 will reach 5 percent, lower than the assumption stated in the State Budget 2016 of 5.3 percent.

Executive Director of Imdef Enny Sri Hartati here on Thursday said the Indonesian economy up to the third quarter of 2015 could be a picture of the economy next year.

"By taking into account the economic growth this year and the various dynamics of the economy that could occur next year, we are projecting that the economic growth in 2016 would increase by 5 percent," Enny noted.

According to her, the economic growth forecast illustrates that the governments performance is still below the public expectations until next year.

It also reflects increasing challenges for the government to achieve an average economic growth of 7 percent within five years as stipulated in the 2015-2019 National Medium Term Development Plan.

"The Indonesian economy in 2016 is expected to be slightly better than this year, though it is still below the macro assumption mentioned in the state budget 2016 as set by the government," Enny said.

According Enny, the projected economic growth of 5 percent will be achieved if the government can implement the economic policy package that has been released throughout 2015, at least in a moderate level.

"To be able to achieve economic growth above 5 percent by next year, we need consistent and quick realization of focused economic policy package," Enny said.

Enny noted that next year, the economic challenge is also not easy.

This forecast is based on such factors as economic growth in major trading partners --especially China, current account deficit, and the Fed Funds Rate (FFR) increase which has the potential to suppress rupiah.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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