REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia's trade deficit last year reached a record high of US$8.57 billion since 1975, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The deficit was majorly caused by the oil and gas trade deficit of $12.4 billion, while the non-oil/non-gas trade recorded a surplus of $4.8 billion, BPS Chief Suharyanto stated here on Tuesday.

He said crude oil imports, which contributed $4.04 billion to the deficit, should draw serious attention.

"However, gas trade still recorded a surplus of $7.58 billion," he noted.

Also read: Indonesia's trade balance records US$1.82 billion deficit

The trade deficit was the largest compared to $2.20 billion in 2014, $4.08 billion in 2013, and $391 million in 1975, he remarked.

Last year, Indonesia had recorded a surplus in its trade with several countries, including India, at $8.76 billion; the United States, $8.56 billion; and the Netherlands, $2.6 billion, he noted.

However, Indonesia suffered a deficit of $20.8 billion in its trade with China, $5.1 billion with Thailand, and $2.9 billion with Australia last year.