TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Bank of Korea signed a bilateral currency swap arrangement (BCSA). Through the deal, both central banks will be able to swap currencies for a value of KRW 10.7 trillion or Rp115 trillion.

The agreement was signed by BI governor Agus D.W. Martowardojo and Bank of Korea governor Lee Ju-Yeo, March 6. Agus said the BCSA extension will economic ties between the two nations through the use of their respective currencies.

"The goal is to reduce our dependency on using a certain currency," Agus said on Monday, March 6, 2017.

According to Agus, the BCSA is part of the government's initiative to deepen the financial market and support economic defense "especially in facing today's economic uncertainties," Agus said.

The BCSA also guarantees the use of Indonesia and South Korea's currencies in trading, to support the regional financial stability.

Agus said the deal is valid for three years and can be extended if the two countries agree.

The first BCSA between BI and Bank of Korea was signed on March 6, 2014, based on economic ties—especially in trade—between the two nations.

South Korea is Indonesia's fourth import destination with an average market share of 6.5 percent a year from 2010-2015. Korea is also Indonesia's sixth export destination, with an annual market share of 6.8 percent in the same period.

However, most transactions are denominated in US dollar. "That's why we need to diversify the use of our own currency when trading with regional countries, to stabilize the rupiah," Agus said.

VINDRY FLORENTIN