"We still have a high chance to see a surplus from non-oil/non-gas trade. But in total, we will find it very hard to see trade surplus because of high pressure from oil and gas imports," Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia saw a trade deficit of US$171 million in January 2013 as oil and gas imports soared to US$1.425 billion in that month, according to the Trade Ministry.
"We still have a high chance to see a surplus from non-oil/non-gas trade. But in total, we will find it very hard to see trade surplus because of high pressure from oil and gas imports," Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan said here on Friday.
Gita said non-oil/non-gas exports in January actually stayed at a good level but the high oil and gas imports as a result of high oil and gas consumption contributed to the trade deficit.
"I predict that oil and gas imports will continue to increase in the future, except if a step is taken to respond to high subsidy," he said.
The minister said the non-oil/non-gas exports which exceeded US$1 billion had shored up the country`s confidence. However, the figure must be maintained to prevent it from fluctuating, he added.
"The non-oil/non-gas exports reached more than US$1 billion in January 2013. Compared to last year, the figure only reached US$4 billion for 12 months," he said.
The rising non-oil/non-gas exports signaled stability. However, he added that the ministry would always anticipate a possible trade deficit due to pressure from oil and gas imports.
According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the country recorded a trade deficit of US$171 million in January 2013, with imports reaching US$15.55 billion and exports US$15.38 billion.
The January 2013 deficit was mainly the result of high deficit in the oil and gas sector which reached US$1.425 billion, with crude oil contributing US$554.7 million and crude oil product US$2.182 billion to the deficit. However, gas trade recorded a surplus of US$1.311 billion.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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