Indonesia's central bank delivered its first rate cut in more than three years on Wednesday, just hours ahead of the widely expected start of the U.S. Federal Reserve's easing cycle in efforts to bolster growth in Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Indonesia's central bank decided on Wednesday to cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time since February 2021 by 25 basis points (0.25%) to 6%, after hiking it steadily since the post-COVID economic recovery.

Taiwan’s central bank held rates steady with a watchful eye on inflation, declining to join the Federal Reserve and a growing number of its Asian counterparts in starting to ease monetary policy.

BI unexpectedly trimmed the benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 6.00%, its first rate cut since February 2021

BENGALURU (Reuters) - Bank Indonesia (BI) will leave interest rates unchanged next week to support the rupiah but was expected to cut next quarter, after widely anticipated policy loosening by the U.S. Federal Reserve on Sept. 18, a Reuters poll found.

Donald Trump has argued that the Fed would only cut interest rates close to the election to help his political opponents.

Major stock markets in the Gulf rose in early Thursday trade after most central banks in the region cut their key interest rates following a larger than usual policy easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve.