VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia`s imports in December 2018 fell 9.60 percent to US$15.28 billion from a month earlier, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). But compared to the same month of 2017, the December 2018 imports rose 1.16 percent, BPS Chief Suharyanto said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The imports comprised non-oil/non-gas imports worth US$13.31 billion and oil and gas imports worth US$1.97 billion. The non-oil/non-gas imports in December 2018 tumbled 5.14 percent compared to November 2018 but increased 6.16 percent compared to December 2017. The oil and gas imports in December 2018 dropped 31.45 percent compared to November 2018 and 23.33 per4cent compared to December 2017. Among non-oil/non-gas commodities, the import of organic chemicals recorded the largest decline of US$174.4 million, or 27.07 percent, while the import of fruits saw the largest increase of US$69.8 million, or 68.90 percent.

"(The increase) was the result of demand for fruits during Christmas and New Year holidays," he said.

Three countries were listed as the largest suppliers of imported non-oil/non-gas commodities to Indonesia last year. They were China with a value of US$45.24 billion, or 28.49 percent, Japan with a value of US$17.94 billion, or 11.30 percent and Thailand with a value of US$10.85 billion, or 6.83 percent. Non-oil/non-gas imports from ASEAN member states made up 19.85 percent and European Union represented 8.86 percent. (ant)