"Imports are down, but in the case of oil-gas imports, their volume is up," Suryamin, head of the National Statistics Agency, said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias imports in February 2016 were recorded at US$10.16 billion, down by 2.91 percent from US$10.46 billion recorded in the previous month.

"Imports are down, but in the case of oil-gas imports, their volume is up," Suryamin, head of the National Statistics Agency, stated here on Tuesday.

He said the volume of imports in February 2016 reached 12.76 million tons, up 14.9 percent from 11.17 million tons in January.

In view of this condition, he affirmed that the domestic supply needs, such as for infrastructure, were sufficient.

Suryamin remarked that the volume of imports rose as the imports of oil and gas increased by 1.72 percent or 59.3 thousand tons, while the imports of non-oil and gas rose 19.75 percent or 1.5 million tons.

The hike in the volume of oil and gas imports was caused by an increase in the volume of imports of oil products by 10.52 percent or 183 thousand tons.

"Imports of crude and gas dropped by 7.97 percent and 4.06 percent respectively," he pointed out.

Non-oil and gas imports in February reached US$9.05 billion, down by 2.13 percent from Januarys imports recorded at US$9.24 billion. Compared to the same period last year, they were down 7.58 percent from US$9.8 billion.

The value of oil and gas imports in February 2016 reached US$1.11 billion or dropped by 8.79 percent from US$1.22 billion in January or 35.21 percent from US$1.72 billion in the same period last year.

The hike in non-oil and gas imports in February 2016 was recorded in the group of vehicles and their parts, totaling US$129.2 million or 35.35 percent, while the biggest drop was recorded in the group of machinery and mechanical equipment, reaching US$187.1 million or 10.41 percent.

Cumulatively, the value of imports from January to February 2016 reached US$20.63 billion, down by 14.48 percent compared to the same period last year.

The imports of oil and gas were recorded at US$2.34 billion, down 39.09 percent, while the imports of non-oil and gas stood at US$18.29 billion, down 9.83 percent.

China was the biggest non-oil and gas exporter to Indonesia, exporting up to US$4.87 billion or 26.65 percent, followed by Japan, at US$1.92 billion or 10.50 percent, and Thailand, at US$1.48 billion or 8.11 percent.

"Non-oil and gas imports from ASEAN countries reached 22.22 percent of the market share, while the imports from the European Union stood at 9.68 percent," Suryamin revealed.

During the January-February 2016 period, the imports of supporting materials and capital goods decreased by 19.18 percent and 12.62 percent respectively, while the imports of consumer goods rose 34.38 percent.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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