The Economy of West Sumatra Grows 3,64 Percent

VIVA – Economic growth in West Sumatra had decrease in the early days of the pandemic Covid-19. But, on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, The Central Statistics Agency of West Sumatra reveals that the economy of West Sumatra in the first quarter of 2022 grew 3.64 percent.

In February 2022, there was a spike in cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in West Sumatra, but it didn’t affect the economy significantlly in West Sumatra.

"Because the people can return to their normal activities after recovering," said West Sumatra BPS Head Herum Fajarwati in Padang, Tuesday, May 10, 2022.

According to Herum, in terms of production, the business fields that experienced the highest growth were accommodation, food and beverage supply which grew 12.95 percent, real estate 8.65 percent, and corporate services 7.53 percent.

He said in the first quarter of 2022, activities at Minangkabau International Airport have an increase in passengers by 46.95 percent compared to the same period the previous year. This economic increase was due to the ease of flight regulations that have been eased, the resumption of the Umrah program and increased tourism travel business activities.

Meanwhile, ahead of Ramadhan, there was an increase in the price of almost all basic needs, especially cooking oil, sugar, rice, eggs, meat, and milk, which pushed up prices for ready-to-eat food.

"However, there is an increase in price, the demand remains high due to the Ramadan atmosphere in Minang and the large number of residents who are going home after two years of being banned," he said.

In addition, in the first quarter of 2022, there was an increase in harvest in various regions in West Sumatra compared to the first quarter of 2021.

"This is a good achievement because West Sumatra is one of 17 national rice supporting provinces to achieve sustainable food self-sufficiency," he said.

Not only that, in the first quarter of 2022 there was also an increase in fishery production and yields. In the first quarter of 2022, the trade sector in West Sumatra grew 6.3 percent, marked by an increase in new car purchases by the public reaching 42.05 percent.

Sales of motorcycles at various dealers also experienced an increase. Furthermore, the transportation sector grew 5.44 percent in West Sumatra due to an increase in passenger demand ahead of Ramadhan. But otherwise, the processing industry in West Sumatra has a contraction, growing by only 0.86 percent due to a decline in CPO exports, a decline in pharmaceutical production and the processed rubber industry.

He also added that West Sumatra contributed 6.70 percent to the economy in Sumatra and 1.47 percent to the national economy. The economy of West Sumatra is fifth in Sumatra and the highest in South Sumatra is growing 5.15 percent.