Although Indonesia has yet to get its own exchange traded fund (ETF), one of way to invest in this rapidly growing economy is through its closed-end fund (CEF), which is the Indonesian Fund (IF). IF is up 17.3% year-to-date.
Despite Indonesia’s devastating loss from the tsunami, it’s economy is rebuilding at an impressive rate, and its closed-end fund (CEF) reflects this. Indonesia’s economy grew 5.5% last year and is expected to grow 6.2% this year and 6.5% next year, according to Assif Shameen of Barron’s. In addition, corporate earnings are projected to grow 23% this year and more than 20% next year, which would be the best performance in Asia, if it’s accurate.
Other fun facts about Indonesia, courtesy of Fred Fuld of Stockerblog, include:
- Indonesia has the fourth highest population in the world.
- Indonesia’s largest sector is the services sector. It accounts for 45.3% of the GDP as of 2005.
- It is a republic with an elected president and parliament.
