"The deficit is likely to fall (following the suspension of live cattle exports) as Indonesia has so far recorded a deficit in its trade with Australia," he said.
He said Australia`s non-oil/non-gas imports in May 2011 fell 9.50 percent to US$349.8 billion from a month earlier. But its non-oil/non-gas imports in the five months through May increased 20.42 percent compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, Australia supplied 3.12 percent of Indonesia`s non-oil/non-gas imports in the January-May 2011 period, putting it in the eight place after China 18.55 percent, Japan 13.48 percent, Thailand 8.15 percent, Singapore 8.12 percent, the United States 7.89 percent, South Korea 5.58 percent, and Malaysia 4.32 percent.
The Australian government decided last month to suspend all cattle exports to Indonesia following an outcry over alleged abusive treatment of livestock in the country.
Australia said the suspension would remain until Indonesia establishes new regulations to protect livestock from mistreatment.
Australia exports about 500,000 cattle a year to Indonesia, accounting for 60 per cent of its livestock trade.
Rusman further said Indonesia`s imports in May 2011 reached US$14.83 billion, down 0.42 percent from the month before.
Cumulatively, Indonesia`s imports in the first five months of 2011 reached US$68.51 billion, up 33.86 percent from US$51.18 billion in the same period last year.
Oil/gas imports in May 2011 reached US$3.63 billion, down 8.08 percent from a month earlier. Meanwhile, oil/gas imports in the January-May 2011 period stood at US$15.98 billion, a 48.89 percent surge compared to the same period last year.
Non-oil/non-gas imports in May 2011 reached US$11.19 billion, up 2.34 percent from the previous month. Cumulatively, non-oil/non-gas imports in the five months through May US$52.53 billion, up 29.88 percent from the same period last year.
(T.M040/Uu.S012/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
