Indonesia Need to Ease Policies to Boost Growth - Central Bank

        0534 GMT [Dow Jones] Indonesia needs to ease its policies to help spur the economy after first-quarter data disappoints. GDP growth slows to 5.21% in 1Q from 5.72% in 4Q, well below the 5.6% pace expected. Contracting exports (negative 0.78%) from 7.4% growth in 4Q contributed to the sharp slowdown. "We can't expect improvement from exports, as global demand remains tepid," BII economist Juniman says. "The government had planned for tax allowance policy for labor-intensive industries, but we don't know where it stands today. On the central bank's part, macroprudential rules such as the loan-to-value ratio may be eased so loan growth can pick up," he adds. (andreasismar.sandiwan@wsj.com)
        (END) Dow Jones Newswires

        May 05, 2014 01:34 ET (05:34 GMT)