Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution has predicted 5.2 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year.

GDP growth was recorded at 5.17 percent in the third quarter, 5.27 percent in the second quarter and 5.06 percent in the first quarter.   

Darmin also voiced optimism that economic growth would reach 5.3 to 5.4 percent in 2019 and that more companies would list their shares on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), when he when attended this year's last trading day at the IDX in Jakarta on Friday.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said in a speech on the same occasion that economic activities in the fourth quarter had driven economic growth higher than in the previous quarter, which was recorded at 5.07 percent.

This year, 57 companies listed on the IDX, the highest number since the IDX was privatized in 1992.

The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) also recorded its highest of 6,689 in February.

Meanwhile, the JCI closed higher on the last day of trading at 6,194. Throughout the year, the JCI recorded a 2.54 percent decrease as a result of external sentiment from the United States and China trade war. (bbn)