RI exports jump 31.12% in first four months

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.