ASMI to end Australian exports

YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Yogyakarta chapter of the Indonesian Association of Furniture Producers (ASMI) said it was considering halting furniture exports to Australia.

Chapter chairman Ambar Cahyono said on Wednesday the boycott would be in protest of the alleged shooting of an Indonesian policeman by the Australian-led International Force for East Timor (Interfet) on Sunday.

"We know that the value of exports to Australia is huge, but the profit margin is low," he said.

Furniture exports to Australia make up about 40 percent, or US$3 million, of the chapter's total $7 million in exports, he said.

He also said the value of the chapter's exports to Australia had declined by 25 percent since relations between the two countries turned soured over East Timor. (44/cst)