Indonesia's trade surplus rises to 900 mln dollars in June

Indonesia's trade balance posted a higher surplus in June as the rebound of global oil prices has gradually spurred the country's shipment of oil, gas and other commodities.

The national statistic bureau announced on Friday that Indonesia's trade surplus widened to 900.2 million U.S. dollars in June compared with 375.6 million U.S. dollars in May.

Indonesia's exports reached 12.92 billion U.S. dollars in June, or 12.18 percent higher from that in May and 4.42 percent lower from that in the same period last year, Suryamin, head of the bureau told a press conference at the bureau headquarters.

Oil and gas exports rose significantly 23.92 percent to 12.92 billion U.S. dollars in June from a year earlier, he added.

Import was recorded at 12.02 billion U.S. dollars in June, or 7.86 percent higher from that in May and 7.41 percent lower than that in June 2015, he said.

During the first six months, Indonesia's exports dropped by 11.4 percent to 69.51 billion U.S. dollars on year because the non-oil and non-gas exports decreased 7.9 percent to 63.01 billion U.S. dollars, and imports were also down 10.9 percent to 65.92 billion U.S. dollars at the same period, Mr. Suryamin revealed.

Indonesia expects shipments of products overseas to grow 1 to 2.7 percent next year as the global commodity prices and demand have gradually rises, Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said on Thursday.

Indonesia is the world's largest exporter of palm oil, thermal coal, and the world's third biggest exporter of rubber and cocoa, as well as home to the world's second-biggest copper mine.

The country imported most of raw materials for manufactured products for exports. Endit