Non-oil-and-gas export increase shows FTA 'working better'

Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu says the improving performance of Indonesia's non-oil-and-gas exports in the first quarter indicate that the free-trade policy is working “more effectively”.

Indonesia's non-oil-and-gas exports in the first quarter grew by 29.3 percent to US$50.3 billion, compared with the figure in the same period last year.

This growth exceeded the government's earlier target of between 12 and 15 percent.

“It is also important to note that on a month-to-month basis, April's export value was also the highest compared to previous Aprils,” Mari said Monday, as quoted by kompas.com.

“Those figures signals that the external markets, especially those in Asia, are recovering, and that our partnerships in the [Free Trade Area] and [Economic Partnership Agreements] have resulted in a more effective push for our non-oil-and-gas exports,” she added.