Aceh's fertilizer exports fall

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (Antara): Aceh's fertilizer exports in the first quarter of 2001 fell to US$16.57 million from US$21.60 million in a corresponding period last year.

The drop in fertilizer exports was closely related to PT Aceh Asean Fertilizer (PT AFF)'s decision to suspend its production activities due to lack of gas supplies from U.S. oil and gas giant ExxonMobil, a source at the Aceh Office of the Industry and Trade Ministry said on Saturday.

ExxonMobil suspended its mining operations in North Aceh last March after its workers reportedly received threats to their safety from armed civilians believed to be members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

The source said PT AFF contributed 79,000 tons to the province's fertilizer exports totaling 149,878 tons in the first three months of 2001. The remaining 70,878 tons came from PT. Pupuk Iskandar Muda.

The fertilizer exports went to Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and the United States.