Indonesia’s Oct trade balance moves into small surplus

JAKARTA, Dec 2:   Indonesia reported a surprise trade surplus in October of $50 million from a revised deficit of $810 million the previous month, the statistics bureau said on Monday.

October exports rose 2.59 percent on an annual basis, and imports fell 8.90 percent as the central bank’s aggressive benchmark reference rate rises curbed demand.

October was the first surplus since August, which in turn was the first surplus after five months of deficits.

A Reuters poll had estimated a trade deficit of $650 million for October.

(AGENCIES)