Indonesia recorded a hefty trade surplus of US$4.3 billion in May, fueled by a surge in exports of vegetable oils and steel according to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS). The figure marks a sharp rebound from the modest montly suprlus in April of around $160 millionm the smallest in five years. The non-oil gas segment recorded a surplus of $5.83 billion while oil and gas ran a $1.5 billion deficit, driven mainly by an increase in imports of refined fuels and crude oil. Overal exports in May grew 9.68 % year on year (y-o-y) to $24.61 billion. Shipment of animal and vegetable oils soared 63% yoy as crude palm oil (CPO), the country's top commodity, ranked in export earnings totaling $1.85 billion. Export steel and electric machines jumped respectively 27% amd 45% compared to the same period last year. Import meanwhile grew 4.14% yoy to $20.31 billion led by increases in capital and consumer goodsm with the former surging 24.85% yoy. In contrast, imports of intermediate goods fell 1.18% in line with continuing weakness in domestic manufacturing activity. The United States has been the largest contributor to Indonesia's trade surplus over the first five months of the year with $7.08 billion, up 31% from $5.37 billion recorded in the January - May period last year, led by imports of electric machines, footwear and garments from Indonesia.  (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: The Jakarta Post - 02/07