October, exports tumble 11.61%

The Central Board of Statistics released data indicating Indonesian export tumble 11.61% to be US$10.81 billion in October 2008 due to global economic crisis, as compared to September 2008 that was US$12.23 billion. According to data, USA and China have been contributing the largest drop to total export value. Nevertheless, as annual comparison, October 2008 over October 2007, the export grew positively about 4.92%. Indonesian non-oil and gas export declined 8.10% during September-October 2008 to be US$9 billion. Accumulatively, Indonesian exports during January-October 2008 have reached US$118.43 billion increasing 26.92% as compared to the same period in 2007. Indonesian non oil and gas exports also increased 21.63% to be US$92.26 billion for the same period. Rusman Heriawan, Head of the board, explained the largest drop in non oil and gas exports have been shown by several commodities such as rubber and rubber products, while the largest increase has been contributed by mineral fuel.