AAL exports rubber to S'pore

JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed plantation firm PT Astra Agro Lestari, a subsidiary of the country's largest automaker PT Astra International, announced yesterday that it had exported 32.6 metric tons of rubber worth US$23,065 to Singapore.

The company announced yesterday that it also planned to export 74 tons of ribbed rubber smoke sheets and 150 tons of thick latex in the coming months.

The company, through its subsidiary PT Huma Indah Mekar, produces thick latex and rubber on 8,687 hectares in Lampung, Sumatra, with a total production capacity of three tons of dried rubber per day.

The company also exported nine tons of black tea worth $18,474 to India early this month.

Astra Agro Lestari reported a 43 percent increase in net profit to Rp 90.6 billion ($9.06 million) last year from Rp 63.3 billion in 1996. (aly)