BPS: February Import Value Of USD 13.26 Billion, The Largest From China

Head of BPS Suhariyanto. (Photo: Capture of Virtual BPS press conference)

JAKARTA - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that the import value in February 2021 was USD 13.26 billion. This number decreased 0.49 percent when compared to the performance in January.

Head of BPS Suhariyanto said that the monthly decline in imports was driven by a decline in oil and gas imports by 15.95 percent month over month (mom), amidst an increase in non-oil and gas imports by 1.54 percent month over month.

However, said Suhariyanto, the performance of imports in February 2021 has increased when compared to the same period last year.

"Up 14.86 percent year on year (YoY) from imports in February 2020 which amounted to 11.55 billion US dollars," he said in a virtual press conference, Monday, March 15.

Furthermore, he said that this annual increase in imports was a good thing. Because this is the first positive growth since June 2019 which at that time grew 2.02 percent on an annual basis.

"This is the first time we have positive growth on an annual basis, after all this time experiencing negative growth. This is a good indication," he said.

Suhariyanto said the increase in imports on an annual basis was supported by an increase in imports of non-oil and gas (non-oil and gas) by 22.03 percent YoY. Although, oil and gas imports in February 2021 experienced a decrease of 25.37 percent YoY.

"Non-oil and gas imports in February 2021 reached 11.96 billion dollars, up 1.54 percent compared to January 2021 or up 22.03 percent compared to February 2020," he said.

Furthermore, Suhariyanto said that the largest decline in imports of non-oil and gas goods in February 2021 compared to January 2021 was pharmaceutical products with USD 96.9 million or the equivalent of 38.03 percent.

"Meanwhile, the biggest increase was electric machines and equipment USD 172.8 million or 10.03 percent," he said.

Meanwhile, the three largest suppliers of non-oil and gas imports from January to February 2021 were China 8.06 billion US dollars or 33.95 percent. Followed by Japan 1.86 billion US dollars or 7.83 percent, and Singapore 1.31 billion US dollars or 5.53 percent.

"Non-oil and gas imports from ASEAN 4.41 billion US dollars or 18.57 percent and the European Union 1.55 billion US dollars or 6.54 percent," he explained.