W Sumatra Export Value Increased Significantly in August: BPS

Padang, (Antara Sumbar) - Central Bureau of Statistics of West Sumatra recorded the export value of the province in August 2017 reached 184.25 US dollars or 70.92 percent significantly increased compared to July 2017 which only 107.80 million US dollars.

"The largest export goods group in August 2017 were animal and vegetable fats and oils of 138.03 million US dollars, rubber and rubber goods totaling 31.80 million US dollars. Then salt, sulfur, lime group of 4.24 million dollars US," Head of West Sumatra BPS, Sukardi in Padang, Friday (Sept 15).

He said the increase of West Sumatra exports in August 2017 occurred in several destination countries, namely India rose by 73.73 percent and the United States rose by 49.47 percent.

While the largest export value is to India amounted to 75.94 million US dollars, the United States 31.80 million US dollars, Singapore 15.43 million US dollars, Bangladesh 13.29 million US dollars, Spain 9.57 million US dollars, and China 9.24 million US dollars.

He said during the period of January-August 2017, exports to India had the greatest role in the total of West Sumatra exports of 38.32 percent, the United States 22.66 percent and Singapore 10.18 percent.

"Thus, during January-August 2017 , the role of total exports to those three countries reached 71.15 percent," he said.

In line with that, exports of processing industry products also increased by 72.80 percent and mining sector exports also increased by 60.29 percent.

While the import value of West Sumatra in August 2017 reached 44.49 million US dollars or an increase of 16.25 percent compared with July 2017 which only 38.27 million US dollars.

The largest imported goods group in August 2017 is mineral fuel amounting to 37.75 million US dollars, 3 million US dollars of fertilizer and mekani machine category of 1.7 million US dollars, he said

He said the largest imports came from Singapore worth 26.63 million US dollars, and Malaysia 12.12 million US dollars.

Earlier, Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Mirza Adityaswara at a meeting of local journalists, said currently Indonesia's exports and imports have a deficit and if rupiah is too strong then the thing which will happen is the cost of cheap imports so that domestic production drops.

"As a result, imports will increase in deficit and exports become less competitive," he said.

Mirza said that in 2013, Indonesia's exports and imports experienced a deficit of around 31 billion US dollars, 2014 17 billion US dollars and in 2016 about 21 billion US dollars.

But according to him, in the period of 2000 to 2010, Indonesia's exports and imports had a surplus because at that time, it has good commodity prices.

He said Indonesia's exports are dominated by mining and plantations but after 2010 the commodity prices are down. (cha)

Editor: Vicha Faradika