Indonesia books US$3.82b trade surplus in Feb, beats expectations

[JAKARTA] Indonesia recorded a US$3.82 billion trade surplus in February, the highest in four months and beating expectations, as rising commodity prices boosted exports and imports rose more slowly than anticipated, official data showed on Tuesday.

A Reuters poll had expected a US$1.66 billion surplus after the country reported a US$930 million surplus in January.

Exports rose 34.14 per cent on a yearly basis to US$20.46 billion, compared with the poll's 37.32 per cent forecast. Imports were up 25.43 per cent to US$16.64 billion, well below the poll's 40.04 per cent prediction. AFP