TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Central Statistics Agency or BPS reported January to March 2017 trade surplus was at USD 3.92 billion; the highest figure since 2015.

Export value in March 2017 was recorded at US$14.59 billion or a 15.68 increase compared to the previous month and a 23.55 percent increase compared to March 2016.

Meanwhile, import value has also increased this month by 17.56 percent compared to February 2017 of US$13.36 billion. The figure is higher 18.19 percent compared to March 2016. Export and import value in March was the highest since 2015. As such, Indonesia saw a trade surplus of US$1.23 billion in March 2017, driven by a surplus of US$2.02 in non-oil and gas sector.

Non-oil and gas sector export in March 2017 reached US$13.11 billion or a 14.68 percent increase compared to the previous month. The highest increase in non-oil and gas sector was recorded by mineral fuel, whereas chemicals saw the biggest dropped.

The value of non-oil and gas import in March 2017 increased by 24.94 percent or US$11.10 billion compared to the previous month, whereas oil and gas import fell by 8.54 percent. Raw materials/components import was the largest contributor in March 2017 at 74.32 percent worth US$9.92 billion, followed by capital goods import amounting to US$2.02 billion and consumption goods import at US$1.4 billion.

BISNIS.COM