BI: Increase in Trade Surplus in March Strengthens External Resilience

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Bank Indonesia (BI) views the increase in the trade balance surplus in March 2026 to $3.32 billion US dollars as a positive achievement to further support Indonesia’s external economic resilience. Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) released on Monday, the March 2026 trade balance surplus was higher than the February 2026 surplus, which was recorded at $1.27 billion US dollars. “Going forward, Bank Indonesia will continue to strengthen policy synergy with the government and other authorities to further enhance external resilience and support sustainable national economic growth,” said BI Executive Director of the Communications Department Ramdan Denny Prakoso, in his statement in Jakarta on Monday. The higher trade balance surplus mainly stems from an increase in the non-oil and gas trade surplus. The non-oil and gas trade balance in March 2026 recorded a surplus of $5.21 billion US dollars, in line with the increase in non-oil and gas exports to $21.25 billion US dollars. The positive performance of non-oil and gas exports was mainly supported by exports based on natural resources such as precious metals and jewellery/gemstones, as well as mineral fuels, or exports of manufactured products like iron and steel. Based on destination countries, non-oil and gas exports to China, the United States (US), and India remain the main contributors to Indonesia’s exports. The oil and gas trade deficit was recorded to increase to $1.89 billion US dollars in March 2026, in line with the higher increase in oil and gas imports compared to the increase in oil and gas exports.