Manado, North Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - North Sulawesi province saw a surplus of US$243.9 million in its foreign trade in the first two months of this year, an official said.

During the period the province`s exports reached US$254.2 million while its imports were only valued at US$10.3 million, Head of the North Sulawesi Statistics Office Dantes Simbolon said here on Wednesday.

Despite the surplus, the province`s balance of trade in the first two months of 2012 fell sharply by 59.7 percent compared to the same period last year, he said.

"The decline in the balance of trade was chiefly the result of a sharp decline in exports," he said.

In the January-February 2011 period, the province`s exports reached US$749.5 million, while its imports stood at US$254.2 million, he said.
(Uu.S012/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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