REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MANADO -- The trade balance of North Sulawesi province in the first half of 2014 indicates a surplus of US$561.66 million, Head of Distribution Statistics, Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Albert Nicolaas stated here on Thursday.

"In January-June 2014, the value of exports amounted to US$637.06 million, while imports were US$75.40 million, which meant that our trade balance reached US$561.66 million," he noted.

Similarly, on a monthly basis, he explained that with US$136.9 million export value and US$2.61 million in imports in June 2014, the trade balance surplus was recorded at US$134.29 million.

"North Sulawesi's trade balance is surplus every month. It proves that its exports are higher than its imports," Albert stated.

In the first half of 2014, the province's export value reached US$637.06 million, an increase of 48.72 percent as compared to the same period last year, when it amounted to US$428.37 million.

On a monthly basis, the value of exports in June increased 15.41 percent or US$136.9 million from US$118.62 million in May.

Various commodities in North Sulawesi are not just exported directly to the destination country, but they are also exported to overseas markets through other provinces' gateways such as Jakarta, East Java, and several other areas.

He explained that animal fats and vegetable oils are the largest export commodities of North Sulawesi, with an export value of US$90.86 million, contributing 66.37 percent of the total exports for the province.

Meanwhile, the value of imports reached US$75.4 million during the first half of 2014. The figure was up 33.12 percent as compared to the same period last year, which was recorded at US$56.64 million.

Although it tends to rise during the first half of the year, the import value in June 2014 decreased significantly to 70.74 per cent or US$2.61 million from the previous month, which was US$8.92 million.

The increase in imports were recorded in animal fats and vegetable oils, which increased to US$0.16 million from that of the previous period, which was US$0.13 million. Meanwhile, inorganic chemicals increased from US$0.1 million to US$0.21 million.

In addition, the decline in imports occurred in almost every major commodity such as machines from US$3.4 million to US$0.17 million, goods made of metal and steel from US$0.74 million to US$0.69 million, and metal and steel from US$0.13 million to US$0.08 million.

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