RI EXPORTS DOWN 2.52 PCT, IMPORTS UP 13.2 PCT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 4 (ANTARA) - Indonesia's total exports in the first half of 2012 declined by 2.52 percent and its imports rose 13.2 percent, compared with the same period last year.          Indonesia's exports during January-July 2012 dropped to US$113.11 billion, from US$116.03 billion recorded in the same period last year. Meanwhile, the country¿s imports increased to US$112.78 billion this year, from US$99.79 billion in the first half of 2011.         However, Indonesia's exports to non-traditional markets are on the rise. Its non-oil and non-gas exports are also showing an upward trend in July 2012, compared with the previous month¿s figures.         "From time to time, exports to the main destination countries are rising, which shows that the expansion efforts made after the economic crisis in Europe and the US have been stepped up," Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) director for statistics distribution affairs Satwiko Darminto said on Monday.          Indonesia's exports to non-traditional markets ¿ South Africa, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru ¿ in 2011 were valued at US$3.56 billion, up 43.14 percent from US$2.49 billion in 2010.  During the first half of this year, the country's exports to the five countries reached a total of US$2.07 billion, a 1.44 percent increase from US$2.04 billion in the same period last year.          South Africa was Indonesia¿s largest export market during the period, with shipments to the African nation valued at US$936.7 million, followed by Brazil (US$878.26 million), Peru (US$106.09 million), Colombia (US$98.66 million) and Ecuador (US$49.32 million).         "Efforts to increase exports to new destination countries must be continued, especially non-oil and non-gas exports" Satwiko said.         According to BPS data, Indonesia's total exports in July reached US$16.15 billion, up 4.60 percent from the previous month. "The increase in the country's exports in July was boosted by a 5.04 percent increase in non-oil and non-gas exports, rising from US$12.54 billion in June to US$13.17 billion in July," BPS chief Suryamin pointed out.          The biggest non-oil and non-gas exports in July were fats, animal oils/vegetable oils, worth US$2.26 billion (a big increase from US$1.43 billion in the previous month), followed by metal ores and crust, worth US$344.4 million (up from US$241 million in June).           A rise was also seen in exports of some other commodities, such as chemical goods (from US$274.9 million to US$366.9 million), garments (from US$366.9 million to US$274.9 million) and organic chemicals (from US$218.3 million to US$224.3 million).          The BPS data also showed that the China was the leading export destination for Indonesia¿s non-oil and non-gas commodities in July, with shipments worth US$1.57 billion, followed by Japan (US$1.53 billion) and the United States (US$1.28 billion). The three countries accounted for 33.32 percent of Indonesia¿s total exports.          Other export destinations included India (with shipments worth US$1.076 billion), South Korea (US$518.5 million), Taiwan (US$364 million) and Australia (US$30.3 million).         Meanwhile, exports to Singapore were valued at (US$817.4 million), Malaysia (US$751.8 million), Thailand (US$448.5 million) and the European Union (US$1.66 billion).          In the period from January to July, according to BPS, non-oil and non-gas exports to Germany reached US$1.85 billion, down 9.8 percent from US$2.05 billion recorded during the same period last year, while exports to France decreased from US$788.6 million to US$677.8 million.          Exports to the United States  also declined by 5.62 percent, from US$9.26 billion to US$8.74 billion, while Japan saw a drop from US$10.44 billion to US$10.24 billion, India from US$7.67 billion to US$7.11 billion, and South Korea from US$4.4 billion to US$4.05 billion.          "Indonesia's exports to China indeed rose from US$10.91 billion to US$12.02 billion from January to July this year, but the drop in non-oil and non-gas exports to a number of major export destination countries clearly demonstrates the impact of the global crisis," Satwiko pointed out.          Meanwhile, Suryamin stated that Indonesia's cumulative exports during January-July 2012 dropped 5.52 percent compared with the corresponding period last year ¿ from US$116.03 billion to US$113.11 billion.          The BPS also announced that Indonesia¿s total imports in January-July 2012 increased 13.02 percent to reach US$112.78 billion, from US$99.79 billion in the same period last year.          However, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan earlier expressed optimism that rising imports would eventually boost the country's exports because ¿the imported commodities are auxiliary goods and raw materials that will increase the added value of Indonesia's exports¿.          "Indonesia will have to prove in the future that the current rise in imports is aimed at increasing the added value of Indonesia's exports. It would be different if goods were imported only for consumption at home," he said.          ¿In the current global economic environment, it would be a good thing if Indonesia¿s total exports this year are more or less equal to the 2011 figures. Therefore, I hope commodity prices remain stable so Indonesia can increase its exports and reduce its trade balance deficit,¿ Gita added.          The Indonesian government's export policy is aimed at increasing the production of export commodities having added value.          "Our policy is aimed at not only increasing exports and reducing imports, but also continuing to support Indonesian products that have added value," Gita explained.          When asked about the figures released by the BPS on Monday, the minister said he was convinced that Indonesia's exports would increase ¿but the number of commodity exports must also be increased¿.         "I think we will see that the Indonesian commodity exports will have added value next year," he stated.***2*** (T.A014/INE/a014) (T.A014/A/KR-BSR/A/A014) 04-09-2012 21:14: