Jakarta, April 22 -- Bank Indonesia (BI) decided to hold its benchmark interest rate, or BI-Rate, at 4.75 percent at its Board of Governors Meeting (RDG), held in Jakarta on April 21-22.

The deposit facility rate was kept at 3.75 percent, while the lending facility rate remained at 5.50 percent.

"This decision is consistent with efforts to enhance the effectiveness of the interest rate strategy," BI Governor Perry Warjiyo said in an online press conference on Wednesday.

He added the policy is aimed at strengthening rupiah exchange rate stabilization amid worsening global economic conditions due to the war in the Middle East.

He said the central bank stands ready to further strengthen monetary policy as needed to maintain rupiah stabil...