China leads worlds trade confidence index in Indonesia

A latest HSBC Indonesia survy showed Monday that China is ranked the top in favorite trade partner list of Indonesian businessmen in the next three month.

According to the survey conducted by HSBC-hired survey firm TNS from August to September 2009, of 0-200 level of trade confidence index points, in which 200 represents the highest level, Chinese mainland market obtained the highest 121 points in the bank's global survey. Indonesian market stood second at 120 points, followed by United Arab Emirates (UAE) market at 118 points.  

Meanwhile, 59 percent of 300 Indonesian respondents saw positive trend of global economic growth in the next three months. They also ranked China and China's Hong Kong as most promising trade areas in the period, the survey said.    

Citing the survey results, HSBC Global Head of Trade and Supply Chain Lawrence Webb said in his statement publicized by HSBC Indonesia that it could be the start of global trade recovery as the trade volume have stabilized and are posting notable growth in certain markets.

In Asia, the huge government stimulus packages such as that in Chinese mainland, has increased the cross-border commodity trading, Webb said.

The growing intra-Asia trade and stronger domestic consumption are also signs of economic economy recovery, Lawrence said.

Lawrence, however, cautioned that it is too early to say that the economy has been rebounding as no recovery is seen in the West so far.

According to the survey result, traders continue to cite volatile foreign exchange conditions and weak product demand as key challenges in the next three months.