JAKARTA: Indonesia posted its biggest trade surplus in six months in March of US$1.09 billion as growth in imports moderated more than expected, while exports were stronger, data from the Statistics Bureau showed.
Indonesia's exports in March were worth $15.58 billion, 6.14% up from a year ago. The pace was sharply weaker than February's 12.04%, but better than the 1.7% expected in a Reuters poll.
The bureau attributed the slowdown in export growth to a drop in shipments of oil and gas.
Meanwhile, March imports grew just 9.07% annually, decelerating from February's 24.94% and slower than the poll's forecast of 13.25%.
Imports of consumer goods were down nearly 10% in March from a year ago.
Southeast Asia's largest economy had a trade deficit of $50 million in February.