RI`S NON-OIL EXPORTS EXPECTED TO DROP 20-30 PCT

Jakarta, April 15 (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu estimated that the value of Indonesia's non-oil exports in the first quarter of 2009 would drop by 20-30 percent from the figure in the same period last year.

"The value of non-oil exports is likely to drop by 20-30 percent based on the year-on-year growth estimate," the trade minister said here on Wednesday.

She said in terms of volume, the decline in non-oil exports was estimated at 5-10 percent. "The chief economic minister has predicted a minus 6-9 percent growth in the volume of exports. So, we also predict a minus 5-10 percent growth in export volume," she said.

Although Indonesia's exports dropped, the minister said she was still optimistic that its trade balance would still see a surplus.

"If exports drop, imports will also fall. So, this year's trade balance will not differ too much from last year's," Pangestu added.

The trade minister also estimated that Indonesia's export performance would improve in line with the assumed improvement in the world economy and commodity prices.

"We have optimistic assumptions and we believe our international trade performance will improve," Pangestu said.***