Indonesia’s trade balance registered a surplus of US$4.53 billion in March 2022, with exports valued at US$26.50 billion and imports pegged at US$21.97 billion, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reported. “From our records, the trade balance has experienced a surplus for 23 consecutive months,” BPS head Margo Yuwono noted during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday. The non-oil and gas commodities that contributed to the largest surplus were mineral fuels, vegetable fats and oils, as well as iron and steel, he informed. “All three are non-oil and gas commodities that contributed to the surplus in March 2022,” Yuwono said. Trade with three countries contributed to the biggest surplus—the United States, India, and the Philippines. With the US, Indonesia’s trade surplus reached US$2 billion, with animal fats and oils, vegetable oils, and footwear contributing to the surplus. Next, Indonesia’s trade with India also experienced a surplus of US$1.2 billion, with mineral fuels animal fats and oils being the largest contributors to the surplus. In trade with the Philippines, Indonesia recorded a surplus of US$ 916.9 million, with mineral fuels as well as vehicles and their parts the main commodities that contributed to the surplus. Meanwhile, Indonesia registered a trade deficit with several countries, namely Thailand, Australia, and Argentina. With Thailand, Indonesia experienced a deficit of US$565.6 million, with sugar and confectionery and machinery, mechanical equipment, and their parts the main commodities that contributed to the deficit. In addition, Indonesia’s trade with Australia also saw a deficit of US$515 million, with the main commodities contributing to the deficit being mineral fuels and cereals. Indonesia’s trade with Argentina also experienced a deficit of US$261.6 million, with cereal commodities contributing to the deficit. Still, Indonesia’s trade balance in the January–March 2022 period experienced a surplus of US$9.33 billion. The figure was higher compared to the same period in 2021, when the country recorded a surplus of US$5.52 billion. “This surplus figure is quite high; hopefully, this surplus will continue to increase and have an impact on economic recovery in Indonesia,” Yuwono said. Source: Antara News
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has announced that children and adolescents aged below 18 years, who have not received the booster vaccine yet, can join the Eid al-Fitr exodus without taking a COVID-19 test.
“Finally, it has been decided by the President that children and adolescents who want to join the Eid exodus and have not received the booster shot are allowed (to join the exodus); no need to undergo an antigen test,” he said in a press statement regarding the results of a limited meeting on the evaluation of public activity restrictions (PPKM), which was led by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday.
Sadikin revealed that the President decided to give permission after hearing about some problems faced by people who wanted to join the homecoming exodus.
With the policy being implemented, children and adolescents aged below 18 years have been allowed to join their parents in the exodus, but they must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“This is a gift from him (the President) to children whose families want to enjoy the Eid homecoming exodus,” the minister said.
He then appealed to people to keep complying with the health protocols during Eid exodus activities and only travel within the country to prevent COVID-19 transmission and to keep the economy running.
Earlier, President Widodo had emphasized that people would be allowed to join the Eid al-Fitr exodus if they completed the primary and booster vaccinations.
The President also advised that every exodus activity be conducted with strict adherence to the COVID-19 health protocols.
The Transportation Ministry has projected that 85.5 million citizens, or 31.6 percent of the total population, will take part in the 2022 Eid homecoming exodus.
Source: Antara News
