The Today's Headlines section of Indonesia Investments is a regularly updated section which contains the latest information with regard to topics that are currently causing headlines in Indonesia's media. Most of our headlines cover political, economic and social matters. As a consequence of their recent nature, these topics may not have crystallized fully yet and can, therefore, lack a profound analysis. For publications with a more in-depth understanding of subjects, we refer you to our News, Financial or Business columns.
Indonesia recorded a big trade surplus in May 2020. Based on the latest data from Indonesia’s Statistical Agency (BPS), the country posted a trade surplus worth USD $2.09 billion in May 2020, one of the highest monthly surpluses in recent years. But is it reason to become excited?
Indonesia’s latest manufacturing data showed that the contraction in manufacturing activity has continued in June 2020, but the level of contraction was not as bad as in the past two months. This is in line with our forecast as the Indonesian government gradually allowed the Indonesian economy to reopen in June 2020.
In June 2020 the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continued to undermine business activity and consumer demand across Indonesia, hence triggering very low inflation, namely 0.18 percent month-on-month (m/m).
Something interesting that we had pointed out in last month’s edition of our report is that the Indonesian government has started to loosen the self-imposed social and business restrictions despite the fact that new novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases are still growing exponentially across the country (with Jakarta, West Java, East Java, Central Java, and South Sulawesi being the epicenters).
