Pump priming the domestic economy to survive the financial crisis
Cyrillus Harinowo, Jakarta
Chinese President Hu Jintao recently reaffirmed his country's
determination to promote the domestic economy while keeping the
external accounts balanced. This kind of strong statement is
greatly needed amid the uncertainty arising from the financial
crisis that is expected to lead to a global recession.
Asian countries will certainly be affected by the global
downturn. Exporting companies in the region are already feeling
the pinch from the imminent global recession. The only way for
the countries in the region to mitigate the impact is through
the promotion of the domestic economy.
Concerted efforts by Asian countries will create a region where
economic activities can be decoupled from the global downturn,
but at the same time will also lead into higher import demands
from the rest of the world. The strong reserves of the region,
which have been accumulated over many years, can now be
mobilized to increase the financing of the imports badly needed
to strengthen the domestic economy.
Indonesia has the advantage of being rich in natural resources.
A country with a population of 225 million people and with a
rising per-capita income can form a strong domestic economy. So
how strong is the Indonesian domestic economy?
In 2008, the country may reach a per-capita income of between
$2,300 and $2,400 depending in the GDP in the fourth quarter. Up
to September, the Indonesian economy seemed to be doing well.
Reports from various companies indicate that many of them
exceeded their production or revenue targets.
Bank Indonesia recently predicted that the third quarter GDP may
have grown by 6.3 percent, slightly higher than their first and
second quarter predictions. If this proves accurate, then in the
first three quarters of this year the Indonesian GDP produced a
growth rate of over 6.3 percent compared to the same period last
year. Therefore, a slightly less impressive growth rate in the
fourth quarter will probably still lead to over 6.0 percent
growth, year-on-year, during the whole of 2008. Despite the
recent problems this positive outcome is now widely predicted.
Indonesia is also experiencing growth in the size of the middle
class. Based on the distribution of income, 22.5 million people
-- almost the same as the whole population of Malaysia -- earned
an average of $7,000 in 2008 -- higher than the 2006 average
per-capita income of Malaysia. Another 22.5 million people
earned an average of $3,500, while 22.5 million people earn
around $2,300.
In total, 67.5 million people -- slightly more than the entire
population of Thailand -- earned an average income of $3,700,
slightly higher than Thailand's 2006 average per capita income.
While some people have been badly affected by the financial
crisis, such as by losing their accumulated wealth via the now
bankrupt Lehman Brothers or losing the value of their stocks,
their recurrent income will continue to rise if the economy
continues to post positive growth. Therefore, ensuring continued
growth in the economy is an urgent task for the government,
which can be facilitated by the promotion of the domestic
economy.
In 2009, the new Indonesian income tax law will release around
Rp 40 trillion for companies and individuals through tax reforms
and liberalization. This total estimated reduction in the tax
burden represents one form of fiscal stimulus that can be spent
on further expansion or on consumer spending.
In the meantime, the decision to accelerate project
implementation, for example for infrastructure projects, will
create broader activities that can stimulate employment. A
number of projects, such as the MRT in Jakarta, the East Flood
Drain (BKT) and the construction of toll roads in various
places, as well as other government development projects will
start in 2009.
It is hoped that fast implementation of such projects can be
done on the same lines as the rapid construction of the
Cengkareng Airport toll road that is currently being built at a
brisk pace.
The declining oil price in the recent weeks may also help the
implementation of fiscal stimulus.
This means a lower requirement for fuel subsidies as well as
helping to make available more fuel supplies for the government.
Funds saved from energy subsidies can be pooled to finance the
development of infrastructure projects such as highways as well
as production of non fossil fuel (or renewable) energy.
If the oil price continue to fall, then there is a one time
chance for the government to start considering the collection of
a carbon tax.
For example, currently the subsidized gasoline price was set at
Rp. 6.000. If the oil price continues to decline, the value of
"subsidized" gasoline could reach a level of Rp. 5,000. If the
price continues to be fixed at Rp. 6,000, the government could
start collecting revenue of Rp. 1,000 for each liter of
"subsidized" gasoline.
This temporary revenue could be set as a carbon tax. If the oil
price continued to decline even further, then for example, the
"subsidized" value could reach Rp. 4,000 per liter, then the
Government could decide to reduce the official price or leave it
as an additional revenue on top of the carbon tax.
On the other hand, if the value of the "subsidized" gasoline
increases to Rp. 6,000 (while the proposed carbon tax is set at
Rp. 1,000) then the Government starts subsidizing the gasoline
as planned, while at the same time the carbon tax continues to
be collected at Rp. 1,000 per liter.
Time is running out fast to make use of this "roller coaster"
oil price. Therefore the government has to stand ready to take
advantage of such conditions. With such an instrument, the
promotion of the domestic economy can be made more effective.
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