Indonesia is expected to post a trade surplus for a second straight month in September amid a slower pace of decline in exports and imports, a Reuters poll showed on Friday. The median forecast of 13 economists in the poll was for a surplus of $100 million in September, compared with the revised $112.38 million surplus in August.
The data will be announced on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 0400 GMT.
Southeast Asia's largest economy had a deficit of $1.78 billion in the first eight months of this year, reflecting a plunge in both exports and imports amid depressed commodity prices and the US-China trade war. Economists in the poll predicted exports to have dropped 5.84% year-on-year in September, compared with August's 9.98% decline.
September imports were seen shrinking 4.20% annually. That compared with the 15.75% fall a month earlier. To boost exports, government officials said they have accelerated free trade negotiations with several countries and expanded incentives in special economic zones for export-oriented industries.
Measures to control imports were also put in place since last year, including limiting imports of cars and components and increasing taxes.
---Reuters, Jakarta
Latest News