Jakarta, Sept. 2 -- Trade Minister Budi Santoso expressed optimism that Indonesia's trade balance will continue to record a surplus following a return to positive territory in July 2026.

Speaking in Jakarta on Wednesday, Budi highlighted the US$0.12 billion trade surplus achieved in July as a crucial rebound after the nation experienced back-to-back monthly deficits in May and June.

"Our hope is that it will continue to be a surplus. We want this surplus to last beyond the end of the year," the minister stated.

Statistics Indonesia reported that July exports reached US$26.22 billion, a 6.05 percent increase year-on-year (yoy), while imports stood at US$26.09 billion, up 27.02 percent yoy.

For the January-July 2026 period, Indonesia's ...