UPDATE 1-Astra Intl, Unilever Indonesia Q3 profit rises

* Astra Q3 net profit rises amid low borrowing costs

* Astra says 9-mth net profit down but outlook encouraging

* Unilever Indonesia posts 15.5 percent rise in Q3 net profit

JAKARTA, Oct 30 - Indonesia's largest automotive distributor, PT Astra International Tbk , posted a 9.3 percent rise in net profit in the third quarter, and gave an upbeat full-year outlook as low borrowing costs boosted domestic vehicle demand.

Astra, controlled by Singapore's Jardine Cycle&Carriage Ltd , posted a third quarter net profit of 2.86 trillion rupiah ($299.8 million), according to Reuters calculations.

For the first nine months of the year, however, Astra said its net profit fell 3.6 percent to 7.1 trillion rupiah compared to 7.4 trillion rupiah a year ago partly because of weak performance at its agribusiness division.

"While the results for the year to date have yet to match those achieved in 2008, trading conditions are continuing to improve and the outlook for the full year is encouraging," President Director Michael D. Ruslim said in a statement.

Indonesia's central bank has slashed interest rates by a total of 300 basis points to a record low of 6.5 percent since December last year.

The central bank is expected to keep rates steady for the third month in a row when it meets on Wednesday.

Indonesia's economy is expected to continue expanding this year, with the central bank forecasting growth between 4.0-4.5 percent, above its previous estimate of a 3.5-4 percent range.

Separately, PT Unilever Indonesia Tbk , the local unit of Anglo-Dutch conglomerate Unilever Plc , posted a 15.5 percent rise in its third-quarter net profit to 783.16 billion, according to Reuters calculations.

Shares in Unilever -- which produces various consumer products such as soap, detergents, dairy-based foods and cosmetics -- ended down 0.49 percent, against a 1 percent rise in the main index <.JKSE>.

Astra shares closed down 2.19 percent to 31,300 rupiah. ($1 = 9,540 rupiah)