Central Java firms halt Australian imports<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Central Java chapter of the Indonesian
\nTextile Association (API) has decided to replace its Australian
\ncotton imports with goods from Turkey, China, Pakistan and Africa
\nin anticipation of a possible disruption in cotton supplies from
\nthe neighboring country.<\/p>\n
Andi Sanang Romawi, a senior executive from the association,
\nsaid in Semarang on Friday that textile producers in the province
\nwere also studying the prospects of importing the commodity from
\nother members of the Islamic Conference Organization.<\/p>\n
He said substituting Australian cotton imports was important
\nto ensure that the supply of the raw materials would not disturb
\nproduction activities.<\/p>\n
The textile association recently canceled cotton import
\ncontracts worth US$2.7 million from their Australian partners, he
\nsaid, adding that textile producers were in the process of
\nseeking new contracts from other countries.<\/p>\n
Andi, also a director with PT Damatex Salatiga, said although
\nsome of the association's members were still importing cotton
\nfrom Australia under existing contracts, they had canceled their
\ntextile and garment exports to the country.<\/p>\n
Amid escalating tension between Australia and Indonesia, API
\nannounced last week a cut in cotton imports from its neighbor.<\/p>\n
Indonesia imports 17,616 tons of cotton worth $2.7 million,
\nand had monthly exports of 70 tons of textile and garments.<\/p>\n
"It is not a big problem to stop cotton imports from
\nAustralia," Andi said.<\/p>\n
Australian trade unions recently refused to load and unload
\ngoods bound for and originating from Indonesia at Australian
\nports in protest of Indonesia's handling of the East Timor
\nsituation.<\/p>\n
The unions lifted their boycott last week, but Indonesian
\nbusinesspeople said the boycott was maintained in some parts of
\nAustralia.<\/p>\n
Citing fears of supply disruptions, Indonesian wheat millers
\nhave also announced a plan to seek alternative wheat sources.
\n(06)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/central-java-firms-halt-australian-imports-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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