RI's 1997 exports up 7.3%, imports down 2.9%

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's exports rose to US$53.44 billion last year, a 7.28 percent rise from $49.81 billion in 1996, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.

The bureau's March bulletin reports that non-oil and non-gas exports made up $41.82 billion of the total amount, up 9.79 percent year on year.

Oil and gas exports fell slightly to $11.62 billion from $11.72 billion in 1996.

The bureau also reports a 2.9 percent decline in 1997 imports to $41.67 billion compared to the previous year.

The data shows that exports of edible oil enjoyed a high 59.52 percent surge to $2.23 billion last year.

This included a 75.2 percent increase in the exports of crude palm oil (CPO).

But exports of CPO derivatives, including stearin and other fatty acids, slumped 57.34 percent last year to $89.53 million.

Last year's exports of textile and textile products fell a significant 19.64 percent to $5.27 billion, while those of leather and leather products dropped 14.5 percent to $56.02 million.

Footwear exports plunged $1.54 billion, down 30.25 percent from $2.19 billion in 1996.

Exports of processed woods were down 8.36 percent to $4.7 billion last year, while metal product exports slid to $1.65 billion from $1.66 billion.

Exports of processed rubber sunk 19.24 percent to $1.8 billion, including a 20.74 percent drop of crumb rubber exports to $1.4 billion.

The data shows that exports of electronic and photography appliances slipped 6.1 percent to $3.23 billion.

Exports of furniture and furniture parts slumped 20.26 percent to $754.69 million.

Food product exports dived 13.29 percent to $834 million, while feed meal exports sunk 31.71 percent to $140.83 million.

Exports of chemical products climbed 30.57 percent to $721.21 million last year, while fertilizer exports rose 15.2 percent to $312.36 million.

Exports of cement also surged sharply by 78.42 percent to $33.59 million last year.

Exports of processed rattan made an incredible jump last year to $50 million, a 900 percent leap from a mere $5 million in 1996. (das)