Aditya Suharmoko, Jakarta – Indonesia's exports in the first four months of 2009 contracted by 29.51 percent from the same period last year, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) announced Monday.

Exports in April contracted by 22.55 percent from a year earlier, BPS head Rusman Heriawan said. Exports in April slid 1.81 percent from March.

But the drop was compensated by imports. Imports in the first four months this year contracted by 38.42 percent from the same period in 2008. Imports in April slid 2.58 percent from the previous month.