"Deficit is not always bad. If the economy moves, the imports will rise. However, exports will not automatically increase since the global economy has not yet improved," Darmin Nasution said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - There is a high likelihood that the trade deficit in December would continue throughout 2016, according to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution.
"The trend indeed exists," he stated here on Friday.
He noted that the trend could occur as the economy is expected to improve, which would lead to imports, especially of capital goods, necessary to boost the investment value.
On the other hand, exports are forecast to remain weak due to the declining demand from advanced countries and global economic growth, which is projected to still remain slow, he affirmed.
"Deficit is not always bad. If the economy moves, the imports will rise. However, exports will not automatically increase since the global economy has not yet improved," he pointed out.
According to the National Statistics Agency (BPS), Indonesia had recorded a trade surplus of US$7.51 billion in 2015, although it had suffered a deficit of US$235.8 million.
"The balance of trade from January to December 2015 was in surplus of US$7.51 billion, while there was a deficit of US$235.8 million in December," BPS Chief Suryamin remarked at a press conference.
He stated that during the January-December 2015 period, exports reached US$150.25 billion, while imports were recorded at US$142.74 billion.
Suryamin added that the US$235.8 million deficit in December 2015 occurred as the imports had reached US$12.12 billion, while exports were recorded at only US$11.89 billion.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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