Indonesia Jan exports surge more than expected on rising commodity prices

[JAKARTA] Indonesia's exports rose at the fastest pace since Sept 2011, as shipments of commodities rose by value, data from the statistics bureau showed on Thursday.

Exports rose 27.71 per cent in January from a year earlier to US$13.38 billion, as shipments of palm oil and coal increased. A Reuters poll had expected a growth of 21.73 per cent.

Imports were US$11.99 billion in January, up 14.54 per cent from a year ago. The poll had expected an increase of 13.88 per cent.

The country recorded a US$1.40 billion surplus for the month. The difference in Reuters' earlier report was due to rounding. In December, the surplus was a revised US$1.05 million.

REUTERS