Indonesian economy not affected by bombings: officials

JAKARTA, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian economy is apparently tough in facing the impact of the recent bombings at two lavish hotels in Jakarta last Friday, according to a high profile economic meeting on Wednesday.

"Moreover, we agreed that Indonesian economic is also apparently tough to cope with the ongoing global economic crisis," Indonesian Trade and Industry Chamber (KADIN) Chairman Muhammad S.Hidayat told a press conference presented by Indonesian economy, transportation ministers and representative of foreign chambers here.

Muhammad said that all parties involved in the meeting agreed to carrying on demonstrating Indonesia's economic might in retaliating the barbaric terrorist act by taking the momentum of the country's excellent economic growth.

"The businesses and the public have been rational in responding to the bombing whose impact apparently did not disrupt the business and the public's daily life in general," Muhammad said.

On the same occasion, Financial Minister Sri Mulyani said that government would not revise its economic growth target this year that has been set at 4.3 percent due to the bombing.

Speaking on behalf of foreign chamber, James Castle, who happened to be in J.W. Marriott hotel when the bomb exploded, said that international community pledged their supports to Indonesian government's steps in dealing with the latest bombing.

"The bombing was just temporary blow to Indonesian economy. The International community would not be affected by the bombings as it has seen the democracy and reform values in Indonesia," James pointed out.

He said that Indonesia has been a good example of a stable country with excellent economic growth.

In less than a week after the bombings, Indonesia's economy has returned to normal.

Data from the government showed that share trade dropped by 0.5percent shortly after the bombing took place with Rupiah's exchange value against the U.S. dollars also down by 0.67 percent.

Hotel occupancy rate in Jakarta was 70 percent in two days after the bombing, or 5 percent down from the usual days, the data showed.

Shopping center customers in Jakarta dropped 50 to 60 percent on the day when the bombs wrecked the W. Marriott and Ritz Carlton. The number of shopping mall customers increased to 30 to 40 percent a day later.

Activities in Jakarta's business and shopping centers were back to normal on July 20, it said.

Export and import activities were not affected by the bombings. Meanwhile tourists' cancellation to Indonesia following the bomb blasts was considered minor.