RI exports jump 31.12% in first four months<\/p>\n
Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The robust demand for coal, ore, slag, ash and furniture have
\nhelped Indonesia's exports rise by 31.12 percent to US$26.63
\nbillion for the first four months of 2005, from $20.31 billion in
\nthe same period last year.<\/p>\n
The Central Statistic Agency (BPS) announced on Wednesday that
\nthe country's non-oil and gas exports rose to $20.74 billion, up
\nmore than a third from last year's $15.59 billion for the same
\nperiod.<\/p>\n
Coal exports, however, which had been the consistent major
\ndriver in the non-oil and gas exports since last year, declined
\nin April from the month before, down by 36.55 percent to $235.1
\nmillion from $372.1 million in March.<\/p>\n
On a year-on-year basis, however, coal exports remained on an
\nupward trend, expanding almost 50 percent to $1.10 billion from
\nJanuary to April this year, compared to $750.4 million for the
\nsame period in 2004.<\/p>\n
Looking forward, the agency predicted a continued strong
\ndemand for the commodity amid high international oil prices,
\nwhich have revived calls for the use of cheaper alternative
\nenergy sources here.<\/p>\n
Along with coal's consistent performance, exports also soared
\nfor the commodity group encompassing ore, slag and ash; by 200
\npercent to $1.01 billion during the first four months, from
\n$347.9 million last year.<\/p>\n
Furnitures exports, meanwhile, almost doubled to $785.7
\nmillion by April, compared to $450.1 million last year.<\/p>\n
The European Union, Japan and the United States were the
\ncountry's top-four export destinations for non-oil and gas
\nproducts, valued at $3.36 billion, $3.13 billion and $3.06
\nbillion, respectively.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, imports for the first four months, rose 33.85
\npercent to $18.41 billion from $13.75 billion last year. Non-oil
\nand gas imports reached $13.22 billion by April, up from last
\nyear's $10.44 billion.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's exports for last year reached an historic high of
\nUS$69.71 billion, up 11.49 percent from the year before and
\nboosted by strong sales of non oil and gas commodities, including
\npalm oil, electronics, clothing, coal and tin.<\/p>\n
Non-oil and gas commodities last year expanded by almost 11
\npercent from 2003, valued at record high of $54.13 billion, and
\nmade up about 78 percent of national exports.<\/p>\n
However, analysts say Indonesia still needs a stronger export
\nperformance to help push economic growth higher. In recent
\nyears, domestic consumption has accounted for the lion's share of
\nthe gross domestic product (GDP), at 70 percent, with exports and
\ninvestment making up the rest.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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