Indonesia ranks 30th as world’s biggest exporter: WTO

Monday, 29 March 2010

Antara News Agency

Indonesia ranked 30th as the world`s biggest exporter last year, according to a World Trade Organization (WTO) report.

According to the report obtained by ANTARA on Monday, Indonesia exported US$120 billion worth of commodities last year, accounting for nearly 1 percent of the global trade.

Compared to other ASEAN member states, Indonesia ranked fourth after Singapore (14th), Malaysia (21st), and Thailand (25th).

Last year Singapore exported goods worth US$270 billion or 2.2 percent of the global exports, Malaysia US$157 billion (1.3 percent) and Thailand US$152 billion (1.2 percent).

The report shows the global exports last year totaled US$12.461 trillion and the global imports US$12.467 trillion.

China took the lead, exporting US$1.202 trillion worth of commodities or 9.6 percent of the global exports last year.

Trailing behind in the second place was Germany with US$1.121 trillion, followed by the United States US$1.059 trillion.

The WTO has predicted the global trade this year will grow 9.5 percent after hitting a 70-year low because of the global economic meltdown.

WTO Director General Pascal Lamy said every nation must play a role in preventing protectionism that might threaten the global economic recovery.

“The WTO rulings and principles will help every government maintain open trade and provide foundation for trade growth in tandem with the global economic recovery,” he said.