In the first seven months of the year, the country`s trade deficit already reached US$5.65 billion.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan predicted the country`s trade deficit would exceed US$6 billion this year.
In the first seven months of the year, the country`s trade deficit already reached US$5.65 billion.
Gita said trade deficit will continue until the end of this year, but a surplus of around US$1.8 billion to US$1.9 billion was already recorded in the trade of commodities other than oil and gas in the first seven months of the year.
The country`s trade deficit is attributable mainly to growing oil and gas imports to meet growing domestic demand.
The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) said the country recorded a deficit of US$2.31 billion in trade in July.
Oil and gas trade contributed US$1.86 billion and other commodities contributed US$0.45 billion to the trade deficit in July.
Oil and gas net imports totaled 1.34 million tons while surplus of 44.21 tons was recorded in trade of commodities other than oil and gas.
Cumulatively a surplus of US$1.9 billion was recorded in the trade of non-oil/gas commodities in the first seven months of the year but altogether trade was US$5.65 billion in deficit in the seven months period.
Deputy Trade Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi said the deficit could be reduced with the use of bio-fuel.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
