Indonesia's export and import performance in April 2022 showed more positive conditions than the same month and period in the previous year. Indonesia's export value in April 2022 was recorded at USD 27.32 billion, higher than the previous month. And grew by 47.76 % (year on year/yoy). “This is clear evidence of the improvement in the fundamental economic structure. The government will continue to strive so that this improvement is sustainable," said Head of the Fiscal Policy Agency of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, Febrio Kacaribu. Meanwhile, Indonesia's imports in April 2022 remained strong. Although slightly slowed from the previous month at USD19.76 billion. Or grew by 21.97% (yoy). On an annual basis, imports of oil and gas and non-oil and gas still grew rapidly by 88.48 %(yoy) and 12.47 % (yoy). Meanwhile, based on their use, in April 2022, imports of raw or auxiliary materials, capital goods, and consumption goods still grew positively and strongly by 25.51 %(yoy), 15.16 %(yoy), and 4.21 % (yoy). "The increase in the value of imports is due to the increase in imports of consumer goods. This indicates that people's purchasing power is getting better," said Febrio.

Febrio explained, the potential for strengthening the value of exports will continue to be high. Along with the positive trend of commodity prices in the global market that will continue in the future. This is also due to the consistently strong growth of non-oil and gas exports at 47.7% (yoy). Meanwhile, oil and gas exports grew 48.92% (yoy). “By strengthening exports, we can continue to support the trade balance surplus. So that it continues to have a positive impact on real sector activities. Increased liquidity from export activities has had a positive impact on domestic consumption and investment activities. So that it can maintain the momentum of economic recovery," said Febrio. The quality of Indonesia's exports is getting better from the consistent growth of the manufacturing sector. Contributing to growth of 30 %, namely 27.29 % (yoy). “The manufacturing sector is a sector that has high added value in the economy. Especially in terms of job creation. Improvements in this sector are monitored in line with the absorption of labor in February 2022," said Febrio. With the performance of exports and imports getting better as of April 2022, Indonesia has a trade balance surplus of USD 7.56 billion. "This is the highest surplus in history. Beating the record in October 2021 which was recorded at USD 5.74 billion," said Febrio. The high trade balance surplus will have a more positive impact on Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2022. In addition, this also supports the stability of the rupiah exchange rate in the midst of global risk pressures so as to provide a cushion for Indonesia's economic stability. "Compared to 2021, the direction of strengthening 2022 is much better. The condition of a larger trade balance surplus, as well as a pandemic that is increasingly leading to an endemic," said Febrio.

Source: https://www.minews.id/news/tekanan-global-kinerja-perdagangan-indonesia-malah-semakin-positif