April Manufacturing PMI Grows Slowing To Level 52.9

The Indonesian Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. (Photo: Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said, Purchasing Manager's Index or PMI index in manufacturing Indonesia decreased from the previous month reaching 54.2 percent.

"Indonesia's manufacturing PMI in Apri fell but is still in a very healthy number. The solid figure is 52.9 points," Agus told the media, Thursday, May 2.

Agus said this decline was due to the Lebaran holiday which lasted for 10 days. Despite experiencing a slight decline, Agus admitted that he was quite happy with the existing figures considering that Indonesia was the only country with the longest Eid holiday but PMI index still grew solidly

"Even though there was a 10 day holiday last April and there are geopolitical dynamics that must psychologically disturb business actors," continued Agus.

On the same occasion, Agus also appreciated small and medium industry businesses who contributed a lot to the growth of Indonesia's manufacturing PMI.

Moreover, Indonesia for 32 consecutive months recorded an expansive PMI growth, which was above 50.

"There are only two countries in the world that have grown expansively, namely Indonesia and India," continued Agus.

He also compared the Indonesian Manufacturing PMI Index with several other competing countries such as Thailand, Japan, Malaysia and Korea, which still contracted below 50 percent.

"They don't have a 10-day holiday and I can say that Indonesia PMI is far above the ASEAN average of 51.0 points," concluded Agus.