15 Indonesian firms to join trade expo in Darwin

JAKARTA (JP): Fifteen local companies will take part in next month's Northern Territory Expo in Darwin, Australia, according to the National Agency for Export Development (NAFED).

NAFED chief Gusmardi Bustami said on Tuesday the companies' participation was important to boost Indonesia's exports to its neighbor.

"The economic crisis has affected the country's exports of particular commodities to Australia," he said.

Bilateral trade value declined 18.2 percent in January and February this year to US$417 million, he said.

Indonesia's exports to Australia dropped 20.3 percent to $245 million during January and February from the same period last year, he said.

Local exporters are being encouraged to use Darwin as a gateway to market their products in Australia and Pacific countries because of its strategic and convenient location, he said.

Companies from Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and China will participate in the expo from July 7 to July 11.

Participating Indonesian companies will offer various products, including wooden and rattan furniture, clothes, textiles, handicrafts, ceramics and plastics.

Indonesia has participated in the expo since 1993.

Free facilities, including exhibition space and the shipment of the products to be displayed during the event, are provided by the Australian government for Indonesian participants.

Representatives of the Northern Territory in Jakarta also will help the companies to meet Australian importers.

Bustami said Indonesia's exports to Australia, particularly of paper, carton and its byproducts, mining commodities and appliances, showed an increase during 1998 and in early 1999 despite the country's decline in total export value.

Indonesia's exports of non-oil commodities to Australia surged 66.5 percent in the first two months of 1999 to reach $25 million, he said.

Exports of mining commodities also increased 45.7 percent during January and February to reach $7 million, while exports of appliances rose 44.1 percent to $8 million, he added. (cst)