"The balance of trade suffered a deficit of US$1.62 billion in April 2013," BPS Chief Suryamin said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia recorded a trade deficit of US$1.62 billion in April because of declining oil and gas exports and rising non-oil/non-gas imports, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

"The balance of trade suffered a deficit of US$1.62 billion in April 2013," BPS Chief Suryamin said here on Monday.

Indonesia`s exports stood at US$14.7 billion while its imports rose to US$16.31 billion in April, he said.

Cumulatively, the country`s exports reached US$60.11 billion and its imports increased to US$61.96 billion in the year to April 30, 2013, he said.

The imports in April consisted of non-oil/non-gas imports worth US$12.71 billion and oil and gas imports worth US$3.6 billion, he said.

"The increase in import value was the result of a US$1.7 billion increase in non-oil/non-gas imports compared to the previous month, however, oil and gas imports fell US$303.4 million," he said.

The non-oil/non-gas imports in April were mostly contributed by machinery and mechanical appliances worth US$2.39 billion, machinery and electrical appliances worth US$1.46 billion, iron and steel worth US$1.04 billion and motor vehicles worth US$697.4 million, he said.

He said US$2.5 billion or 20.06 percent of the imported goods came from China, making it the largest supplier of imported goods to Indonesia. Japan came in second with US$1.8 billion or 14.72 percent, and Thailand in third with US$1.01 billion or 7.95 percent.

He further said the April 2013 exports consisted of oil and gas exports worth US$2.2 billion and non-oil/non-gas exports worth US$12.3 billion.

"The oil and gas exports fell to US$2.2 billion from US$2.9 billion in the previous month. However, non-oil/non-gas exports rose to US$12.3 billion from US$12 billion," he said.

The non-oil/non-gas exports were dominated by mineral fuels worth US$2.19 billion, animal fats and oils worth USR1.4 billion, machinery and electrical appliances worth US$832.9 million and rubber and rubber products worth US$854.1 million. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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