VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi is optimistic that Indonesia's export performance will be more promising following the recorded1.32 billion US dollars trade balance surplus for the June 2021 period. In his statement, Thursday, July 22, the Minister said that although the COVID-19 pandemic has not ended, he is confident in the prospects for the export of Indonesian products that are rising well. He assessed that Indonesia's leading commodities will continue to contribute to export performance, following this surplus trend in the future.

Muhammad Lutfi explained, in the June 2021 period, Indonesia's total exports recorded a value of 18.55 billion US dollars, an increase of 9.52 percent compared to May 2021 or an increase of 54.46 percent compared to June 2020. Non-oil and gas exports in June 2021 were recorded at 17.31 billion US dollars.

Some of Indonesia's main non-oil and gas export commodities which grew quite high in June 2021 when compared to the previous month included steel, vehicles and their parts, ore, slag and metal ash, machinery and electrical equipment, and footwear.

Lutfi added that the government is also improving the industrial structure to support the export potential of high-tech industrial and industrial products such as iron and steel and automotive. According to Lutfi, iron and steel export growth in January-June 2021 increased to 92 percent compared to the same period the previous year. This shows that Indonesia is evolving from a producer of raw goods and semi-finished goods to a producer of industrial goods and high-tech industries.

In addition, to support jewelry exports, especially to the Middle East region, Lutfi explained, the Ministry of Trade is exploring trade cooperation with the United Arab Emirates. The cooperation is expected to encourage an increase in Indonesian jewelry exports to the United Arab Emirates.