Exports reached 100 billion dollars in 2006.

Indonesia’s exports reached a record high level in 2006, growing by 17.5% on 2005, to close at more than $100.69 billion, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

Strong demand for Indonesian non-oil and gas commodities, particularly coal, rubber, metal ores, copper, palm oil and textiles, was the main reason for the increase. Non-oil and gas exports grew by 19% to account for more than three-quarters of overall export value at $79.5 billion.

BPS director Rusman Heriawan said that Indonesia’s non-oil and gas exports continued to benefit from the rising demand for alternative fuels, thus pushing up the demand for the nation’s coal and palm oil.

China was still booming, this fact increasing demand for Indonesia’s other main export commodities, including metals, copper and rubber. China is now the fifth largest importer of Indonesian exports, after Japan, European Union, the U.S. and Singapore.

Exports of mineral fuels, mainly coal, grew by $2 billion, or 30%, last year to reach $6.5 billion, followed by rubber, which grew by $2 billion, or 35%, to $5.53 billion. Metal-ore exports increased 28% to $4.9 billion, while vegetable oil and animal fat exports, including palm oil, rose by 17% to $6 billion.

Indonesia’s total oil and gas exports between January and December 2006 amounted to $21.2 billion, up 10% from 2005, due to higher output and higher crude oil prices.

Total exports in December 2006 alone reached $9.5 billion, up 6.4% November.

Crowed BPS director Rusman Heriawan:

This is the first time that monthly exports have exceeded $9 billion

Imports for 2006 were at $61 billion in value, an increase of 5.9% from the previous year. Imports in December stood at $4.94 billion, down 15% from November, with China still being Indonesia’s main source of foreign made goods.

Based on the combined import and export figures, Indonesia’s trade surplus for the year increased to $39.6 billion from the $27.9 billion surplus recorded in 2005. antara