RI'S IMPORTS EXPECTED TO FALL 15 PCT IN 2009

Jakarta, Feb 143 (ANTARA) - Indonesia's imports in 2009 may drop by 15 percent in value due to the continuing appreciation of the US dollar, the Association of National Importers (GINSI) said.

"The overall value of imports, including raw materials and medicines, may go down by around 15 percent this year," GINSI Chairman Amirudin Saud said here Friday.
However, the estimate would be off the mark if the national economy grew faster than predicted in the middle of the year leading to increased imports, he said.
Saud said imports in 2008 reached a total value of US$ 128 billion but the figure could drop to US$ 110 billion - US$ 115 billion in 2009.
The decline in imports would not be as drastic as that in exports because Indonesia would continue to need imported goods such as medicines and textiles, he said.
"Some of the imported goods are not available inside the country so there is no choice but to import them although the US dollar price is high," he said.
According to Amirudin, local industries would in 2009 tend to reduce purchases, make payments in instalments and substitute domestic goods for imports.
"Some importers may only buy raw materials to be sold to industries. They have to pay taxes if they import them while it would be different if they sold locally made goods," he said.