Jakarta (ANTARA) - Bank Indonesia (BI) views the increase in Indonesia’s trade surplus to US$3.55 billion in August 2026 as positive for further strengthening the country’s external economic resilience.

According to data released by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) on Thursday, Indonesia’s trade surplus in August increased from US$0.12 billion in July 2026.

BI Communication Department Executive Director Ramdan Denny Prakoso said in a statement received here on Friday that the central bank continues to strengthen policy synergy with the government and other authorities to further reinforce external resilience and support sustainable national economic growth.

In detail, the August 2026 trade surplus stemmed from an increase in the non-oil and gas trade surplus and a decline in the oil and gas trade deficit.

The non-oil and gas trade balance recorded a surplus of US$6.09 billion in August 2026, up from US$3.10 billion in the previous month, in line with higher non-oil and gas exports and lower non-oil and gas imports.

Non-oil and gas exports rose to US$25.62 billion, driven by exports of natural resource-based commodities such as nickel and its derivatives, animal and vegetable fats and oils, and precious metals and jewelry/gems, as well as manufactured products such as various chemical products.

By destination, China, the United States, and India remained the main contributors to Indonesia’s non-oil and gas exports.

Meanwhile, the oil and gas trade deficit narrowed to US$2.54 billion in August 2026 from US$2.98 billion in the previous month, in line with lower oil and gas imports and higher oil and gas exports.

With these developments, Indonesia’s trade balance recorded a surplus of US$7.25 billion in the January-August 2026 period.

Related news: Indonesia posts US$3.70 billion trade surplus in January-July 2026

Related news: Fiscal resilience key to maintaining economic growth: Deputy Minister