Bank of Indonesia: Consumer Confidence Strong in April 2018

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - Consumer Survey of Bank Indonesia (BI) shows consumer confidence strengthened in April 2018 compared to March 2018, despite a slight decrease in perception for availability of employment in the Current Economic Index.<> Executive Director of BI Communication Department, Agusman, said that consumers are still optimistic about the economic condition, reflected in the Consumer Confidence Index (IKK) in April 2018 of 122.2 points or an increase of 0.6 points compared to March 2018.<> "The increase in consumer optimism is driven by improving consumer expectations for the future economic condition and sustained consumer perception of current economic conditions," said Agusman.<> In the survey report, BI also recorded an increase in the Expectation Index of Economic Conditions (IEK), mainly supported by increased expectations of business activities in six months to come.<> Meanwhile, consumer perceptions in Current Economic Condition Index (IKE) recorded stable. Some of the indicators are the index of income rose 0.5 points to 121.2 points in April 2018.<> The Central Bank also noted a decline in the index on employment availability which amounted to 95.5 points in April 2018 from 96.1 in March 2018.<> The perception on the availability of employment decreased in the group of undergraduate education level and also on the respondents aged 21-30 years and 51-60 years.<> The survey results also indicate a decline in price pressure for the next three months in July 2018. This is reflected in the Price Expectation Index (IEH) in the next three months of 183.6, lower than the previous month which reached 184.4.<> "Expectations of the decline in price pressure are mainly influenced by the normal return of demand for goods and services after Idul Fitri," said Agusman.<> Consumer Surveys are conducted monthly to 4,600 households as respondents in 18 major cities.