Indonesia expects wider fiscal deficit in 2017: deputy fin min

[JAKARTA] Indonesia's government is preparing the 2017 state budget with a deficit of 2.3-2.6 per cent of gross domestic product, larger than the planned 2.15 per cent for the 2016 budget, the country's deputy finance minister said on Wednesday.

The projected 2017 deficit assumes a weaker exchange rate for the rupiah and a stronger economic growth rate.

Deputy finance minister Mardiasmo said Indonesia's economic growth will probably be around 5.5-5.9 per cent in 2017 and inflation at around 4 per cent, while the rupiah may trade at 13,700-14,200 per US dollar on average for the year.

Indonesia expects to sell crude oil at US$35-45 a barrel, he added.

REUTERS