Below is a list showcasing 15 of Indonesia’s top trading partners, countries that imported the most Indonesian shipments by dollar value during 2016. Also shown is each import country’s percentage of total Indonesian exports.

1. China: US$16.8 billion (11.6% of total Indonesian exports)
2. United States: $16.2 billion (11.2%)
3. Japan: $16.1 billion (11.1%)
4. Singapore: $11.2 billion (7.8%)
5. India: $10.1 billion (7%)
6. Malaysia: $7.1 billion (4.9%)
7. South Korea: $7 billion (4.8%)
8. Thailand: $5.4 billion (3.7%)
9. Philippines: $5.3 billion (3.6%)
10. Taiwan: $3.7 billion (2.5%)
11. Netherlands: $3.3 billion (2.3%)
12. Australia: $3.2 billion (2.2%)
13. Vietnam: $3 billion (2.1%)
14. Germany: $2.6 billion (1.8%)
15. Switzerland: $2.2 billion (1.5%)

Over three-quarters (78.3%) of Indonesian exports in 2016 were delivered to the above 15 trade partners.

Three of the top importers decreased their import purchases from Indonesia from 2009 to 2016: South Korea (down by -14%), Japan (down by -13.3%) and Australia (down by -2%).

Our studies also show that Switzerland (up by 1,114%), the Philippines (up by 119.1%) and Vietnam (up by 109.4%) increased their import purchases from Indonesia from 2009 to 2016.

As defined by Investopedia, a country whose total value of all imported goods is higher than its value of all exports is said to have a negative trade balance or deficit.

It would be unrealistic for any exporting nation to expect across-the-board positive trade balances with all its importing partners. Similarly, that export country doesn’t necessarily post a negative trade balance with each individual partner with which it exchanges exports and imports.

In 2016, Indonesia incurred a subtotal -$28.9 billion trade deficit with the following 10 countries:

1. China: -US$14 billion (country-specific trade deficit in 2016)
2. Singapore: -$3.3 billion
3. Thailand: -$3.3 billion
4. Australia: -$2.1 billion
5. Saudi Arabia: -$1.4 billion
6. Brazil: -$1.3 billion
7. Argentina: -$1.2 billion
8. Nigeria: -$977.1 million
9. Qatar: -$799.9 million
10. Canada: -$650.5 million

Among Indonesia’s trading partners that cause the greatest negative trade balances, Indonesian deficits with Australia (up 1,100%), Brazil (up 554.9%) and China (up 460.0%) grew at the fastest pace from 2009 to 2016.

These cashflow deficiencies clearly indicate Indonesia’s competitive disadvantages with the above countries, but also represent key opportunities for Indonesia to develop country-specific strategies to strengthen its overall position in international trade.

Based on Investopedia’s definition of net importer, a country whose total value of all imported goods is lower than its value of all exports is said to have a positive trade balance or surplus.

In 2016, Indonesia incurred a subtotal $32.6 billion trade surplus with the following 10 countries:

1. United States: US$8.9 billion (country-specific trade surplus in 2016)
2. India: $7.2 billion
3. Philippines: $4.4 billion
4. Japan: $3.1 billion
5. Netherlands: $2.5 billion
6. Pakistan: $1.9 billion
7. Switzerland: $1.5 billion
8. Bangladesh: $1.2 billion
9. Spain: $1.1 billion
10. Taiwan: $762.8 million

Among Indonesia’s trading partners that cause the greatest positive trade balances, Indonesian surpluses with Pakistan (up 216%), Philippines (up 139%) and United States (up 133.3%) grew at the fastest pace from 2009 to 2016.

These positive cashflow streams clearly indicate Indonesia’s competitive advantages with the above countries, but also represent key opportunities for Indonesia to develop country-specific strategies to optimize its overall position in international trade.

Companies Servicing Indonesian Trading Partners

Nine Indonesian corporations rank among Forbes Global 2000 for 2015. Below is a sample of the major Indonesian conglomerates that Forbes included:

• Gudang Garam (Tobacco)
• Semen Indonesia (Construction Materials)
• Telekom Indonesia (Telecommunications services)

Wikipedia also lists exporters from Indonesia. Selected examples are shown below:

• Astra International (financial/industrial conglomerate)
• Bumi Resources (coal)
• Djarum (tobacco cigarettes)
• Dragon Computer & Communication (computer hardware)
• Krakatau Steel (steel products)
• MedcoEnergi (oil, gas)
• Pertamina (oil, natural gas)
• United Tractors (heavy equipment)