Indonesia's Economy Grows 5.78 Pct in 2013

Jakarta, Feb 5 (Antara) - The Indonesian economy grew 5.78 percent in 2013 and was marked by an improvement in the economic performance across various sectors, revealed the National Statistics Agency (BPS). "Growth was recorded in all economic sectors with the communication and transportation sector in the lead, recording a 10.19 percent growth," BPS Chief Suryamin stated here on Wednesday. He noted that during the year 2013, the financial, real estate, and financial service sectors recorded a growth of 7.56 percent. In the meantime, the construction sector grew 6.57 percent, while the trade, hotel, and restaurant sector showed a 5.93 percent growth, he pointed out. The GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2013 was down 1.42 percent from the third quarter, but in comparison to that of the same period in 2012, it grew 5.72 percent. The GDP growth, excluding oil and gas, was recorded at 6.25 percent, which was higher than the national GDP growth. Suryamin explained that based on expenditures, Indonesia`s economic growth in 2013 was driven by exports that grew 5.3 percent, household consumption increased 5.28 percent, government spending climbed 4.87 percent, gross fixed capital formation rose 4.71 percent, and imports increased 1.21 percent. "Exports are improving due to effective government policies and depreciation of the rupiah exchange rate. In the meantime, the gross fixed capital formation was down because of a drop in capital goods imports such as machinery required for production. This has affected investment," he pointed out. Suryamin emphasized that the GDP structure in 2013 is still dominated by household spending that grew 55.82 percent, gross fixed capital formation rose 31.66 percent, exports increased 23.74 percent, imports rose 25.74 percent, and government spending increased 9.12 percent. The BPS chief elaborated that Indonesia`s GDP in 2013, based on current prices, reached Rp9,084 trillion, while it reached Rp2,770.3 trillion based on constant prices. The GDP per capita based on current prices in the year reached Rp36.5 million or US$3,499.9, up 8.88 percent, as compared to that of 2012, which was recorded at Rp33.5 million or US$3,583.2. Spatially, the country`s economic structure in 2013 was still mostly supported by Java, which contributed 57.99 percent, followed by Sumatra with its contribution at 23.81 percent, Kalimantan 8.67 percent, Sulawesi 4.82 percent, Bali and Nusa Tenggara 2.53 percent, Maluku and Papua 2.18 percent. "Quantitatively, the economic activities in the secondary and tertiary sectors are still concentrated in Java, while the economic activities outside Java are concentrated more in the primary sector," Suryamin added.