RI's Imports Dropped To 15.9 Billion US Dollars, Dominated By Machinery And Equipment

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Finance)

JAKARTA – The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) stated that there had been a decline in the value of imports in February 2023 to US$15.9 billion.

Deputy for Distribution Statistics at BPS Habibullah revealed that the book had dropped dramatically when compared to January 2023 (month to month/mtm) which amounted to US$18.4 billion.

According to him, the drop in import figures contributed to the non-oil and gas and oil and gas sectors. In detail, last month's non-oil and gas imports were valued at 13.5 billion US dollars, down 13 percent from January 2023.

"The largest decline in imports of non-oil and gas goods in 2023 is electrical machinery and equipment and their parts," Habibullah told the media crew, Wednesday, March 15.

Meanwhile, oil and gas imports for February 2023 were valued at USD 2.4 billion, down 17.1 percent compared to January 2023.

"The decline in oil and gas imports was caused by reduced imports of crude oil and also imports of oil products," he said.

Meanwhile, the three largest suppliers of non-oil and gas imported goods during January-February 2023 were China with US$9.3 billion (32.2 percent), Japan with US$2.7 billion (9.5 percent), and Thailand with 1.7 billion. US dollar (6.1 percent).

Then, non-oil and gas imports from ASEAN amounted to 4.9 billion US dollars (17.1 percent) and the European Union amounted to 2 billion US dollars (6.9 percent).

"According to the category of goods used, the value of imports from January to February 2023 compared to the same period the previous year saw an increase in the capital goods and consumer goods categories, but raw/auxiliary materials decreased," he said.