Indonesia’s exports in September 2014 strengthened to US$15.3 billion, up 5.5% compared to the previous month, driven by increases in non-oil and gas exports.
In a statement, the Ministry of Trade said it expects the non-oil and gas export sector to continue its positive performance through the end of the year.
“Growth of non-oil and gas exports has strengthened compared to last month, which only rose 2.1%. This shows optimism for improvement of exports at the end of the year,” said Indonesian Minister of Trade Rachmat Gobel.
Cumulatively, non-oil and gas trade balance in September 2014 was a surplus of $758.8 million, an increase from the previous month’s $489.6 million. The rise in exports was also followed by an increase in imports, particularly oil and gas imports which rose 7.4%, causing a $1-billion deficit to make the national trade balance for September a deficit of $270.2 million.
Non-oil and gas exports reached a value of $12.7 billion, up 6.5% month-on-month, or 2.9% year-on-year, while oil and gas exports reached $2.6 billion, up 0.9% m-o-m or 8.6% y-o-y.
Non-oil and gas commodities that logged growth for the month included metal ores, slag, and ash; jewelry/gems; and wood and wood products. Manufactured products that accelerated exports were machinery/mechanical appliances, knitting items, and non-knitted apparel.
Exports to emerging markets increased significantly in September 2014, said the ministry. Shipments to Australia surged 49% m-o-m and 32.1% y-o-y, Pakistan 19.7% m-o-m and 126.8% y-o-y, Saudi Arabia 4.7% m-o-m and 31.9% y-o-y, and the United Arab Emirates 4.4% m-o-m and 40.1% y-o-y.
In January-September 2014, the value of exports reached $132.7 billion, for a 0.9% drop compared to a year ago. Oil and gas exports amounted to $23.4 billion, down 1.4%, while non-oil and gas exports reached $109.3 billion, a decrease of 0.8%.
In September 2014, the Southeast Asian economy’s imports total increased by 5.1% m-o-m and 0.2% y-o-y to $15.5 billion largely on greater purchases of oil and gas.
Photo: 22 Kartika
