Indonesia's Jan exports slide by more than 20%; central bank may cut rates

Jakarta

INDONESIA posted a small trade surplus in January, confounding expectations for a third monthly deficit, due largely to a slump in imports from persistently weak domestic consumption.

Sliding prices for oil, gas and other commodities have led to a sharp drop in export earnings for South-east Asia's largest economy, and deteriorating global demand could push the central bank to cut rates again this week, some economists said.