"The deficit of our trade with China was the largest among our trading partners. We recorded a trade deficit of US$3.37 billion with Thailand, US$1.73 billion with Australia and US$493 million with Singapore," BPS Chief Rusman Heriawan said here on Tuesday.
BPS preliminary data show Indonesia`s non-oil/non-gas exports to China last year were valued at US$14.07 billion.
Indonesia`s non-oil/non-gas exports to China mainly consisted of coal, animal and vegetable fat and oil, organic chemicals, pulp, wood, wood products, copper, and electrical appliances.
Meanwhile, Indonesia`s imports from China last year were recorded at US$19.68 billion, consisting of electrical appliances, mechanical appliances, iron, steel, organic chemicals, cotton, plastics, plastic products, vegetables and motor vehicles and spare parts.
Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said the deficit of Indonesia`s trade with China last year rose about US$1 billion. But the figure was smaller compared to 2008 when it was recorded at US$7.2 billion.
"In addition, we did not catch up with surplus in our trade with other countries because each country had their own needs and capacity. What is important is that overall we recorded a surplus in our balance of trade," she said.
"Admittedly, our imports from China were on the increase. However, our imports from other countries tended to decline. This suggests that domestic producers and investors which previously imported goods from other countries began to switch to China which offered their products at lower prices," she said. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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