Impact of Exchange Rate Volatility on IndonesiaÂ’s Trade Performance in the 1990s

Abstract

Whether a real devaluation ultimately proves to be expansionary or contractionary depends on whether the boost given to the exportables sector offsets any possible output-depressing effects that may accompany the expenditure-switching policy. Failure of the exportables sector to adequately respond to the price incentives is a virtual guarantee that devaluation will be contractionary. This appears to have been the experience of Indonesia, the country worst hit by the crisis of 1997-98. This paper explores whether the increased exchange rate variability of the Indonesian rupiah post 1997 may have been a cause for the countryÂ’s poor export performance.Devaluation, Exports, Imports, Trade, Indonesia, Volatility