Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has posted its first monthly trade deficit in 2015 amounting to US$346.4 million in November, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics Agency (BPS).

"This is the first trade deficit after surpluses were recorded in the earlier months," BPS Chief Suryamin noted at a press conference here on Tuesday.

He explained that the deficit in November was caused by the US$0.06 billion deficit in the oil and gas sector and US$0.29 billion in the non-oil and gas sector.

Imports in November were recorded at US$11.51 billion, while exports reached US$11.16 billion.

Suryamin explained that in terms of volume of trade, a surplus of 28.27 million tons was contributed by a surplus of 0.56 million tons in the oil and gas sector and 27.81 million tons in the non-oil and gas sector.

He said that compared to export-import performances in ASEAN countries, especially with Thailand, Indonesia suffered a deficit of US$250.6 million in November.

In its trade with the European Union, Indonesia only suffered a US$71.4 million deficit with Germany.

Especially with China, the deficit was recorded at US$1.5 billion in November, while in the earlier months of 2015, the deficit had reached US$14.42 billion.

"In just one month, the deficit with China may reach US$1.5 billion," he revealed.

Cumulatively, during the period between January and November, Indonesias balance of trade was still in surplus of US$7.81 billion, with exports reaching US$138.42 billion and imports, US$130.61 billion.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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