RI exports jump 31.12% in first four months

Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The robust demand for coal, ore, slag, ash and furniture have helped Indonesia's exports rise by 31.12 percent to US$26.63 billion for the first four months of 2005, from $20.31 billion in the same period last year.

The Central Statistic Agency (BPS) announced on Wednesday that the country's non-oil and gas exports rose to $20.74 billion, up more than a third from last year's $15.59 billion for the same period.

Coal exports, however, which had been the consistent major driver in the non-oil and gas exports since last year, declined in April from the month before, down by 36.55 percent to $235.1 million from $372.1 million in March.

On a year-on-year basis, however, coal exports remained on an upward trend, expanding almost 50 percent to $1.10 billion from January to April this year, compared to $750.4 million for the same period in 2004.

Looking forward, the agency predicted a continued strong demand for the commodity amid high international oil prices, which have revived calls for the use of cheaper alternative energy sources here.

Along with coal's consistent performance, exports also soared for the commodity group encompassing ore, slag and ash; by 200 percent to $1.01 billion during the first four months, from $347.9 million last year.

Furnitures exports, meanwhile, almost doubled to $785.7 million by April, compared to $450.1 million last year.

The European Union, Japan and the United States were the country's top-four export destinations for non-oil and gas products, valued at $3.36 billion, $3.13 billion and $3.06 billion, respectively.

Meanwhile, imports for the first four months, rose 33.85 percent to $18.41 billion from $13.75 billion last year. Non-oil and gas imports reached $13.22 billion by April, up from last year's $10.44 billion.

Indonesia's exports for last year reached an historic high of US$69.71 billion, up 11.49 percent from the year before and boosted by strong sales of non oil and gas commodities, including palm oil, electronics, clothing, coal and tin.

Non-oil and gas commodities last year expanded by almost 11 percent from 2003, valued at record high of $54.13 billion, and made up about 78 percent of national exports.

However, analysts say Indonesia still needs a stronger export performance to help push economic growth higher. In recent years, domestic consumption has accounted for the lion's share of the gross domestic product (GDP), at 70 percent, with exports and investment making up the rest.