Following previous expectation, we see that the economy in Q1 2019 will be slightly improved. A series of unexpected trends since November, such as the reversal of capital flow to emerging markets, lower crude oil prices, and negotiations between US and China, has brought positive sentiment to the domestic market. The effect of the influx of foreign portfolio investment in the last three months has improved Rupiah to be among the most improved currencies together with the currencies of Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia, with Rupiah in these past two months trading at around Rp14,000 per US dollar. The trend of declining crude oil price in the next two quarters due to overflow in oil production may give more breathing space for the government; it is likely to improve the trade balance and also reduce pressure on the government’s challenging decision to hold fuel price at the same level until the general election.

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