Maluku and Papua's Economies Contracted by 7.43 Percent in the Third Quarter of 2019

The regional economies of Maluku and Papua experienced a contraction in growth during the third quarter of 2019. Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (Badan Pusat Statistik), economic growth in Maluku and Papua during the July-September period this year grew by -7.43% compared to the same period the previous year (YoY). Similarly, cumulatively for the first three quarters of 2019, there was a contraction of 10.05% compared to the same period the previous year.

This negative growth in Indonesia's easternmost region was triggered by Papua's economy, which contracted by 15.11% (YoY) in the third quarter of 2019. This condition was caused by a contraction in the mining and quarrying sector, which experienced a decline of 38.31%. From the expenditure side, the contraction was due to a decrease in foreign exports of 79.86%.

(Read Databoks: Economy of Papua Q1 2019 Experiences Deepest Contraction in 29 Quarters)

Meanwhile, Sulawesi recorded growth of 6.44% (YoY) in the third quarter of 2019. This achievement was the highest compared to other regional growth, such as Kalimantan, which only reached 5.92%, and Java, which reached 5.56%.