JAKARTA ~ Indonesia’s trade surplus rose 2.5 percent in March to US$3.75 billion as exports and imports bounced back, Central Bureau of Statistics chief Rusman Heriawan announced this week.

Exports in March reached $9.19 billion, up from $8.32 billion the previous month, Heriawan said. Imports increased to $5.44 billion from $4.66 billion in February.

“Exports and imports returned to normal in March, with the export level in the month the second largest (monthly figure) ever,” Heriawan said.

Exports hit an all-time high of $9.5 billion in December before falling in the following months.

Both exports and imports were affected in February by heavy flooding in Jakarta and surrounding areas that disrupted the flow of goods from the main port in the capital.

Indonesia’s trade surplus for February was $3.66 billion.

A trade surplus is viewed as positive for economic growth.

Economic Minister Boediono said this month that he expected to see economic growth at 6.3 percent this year, a “fairly substantial pickup” from last year’s 5.5 percent.