ASMI to end Australian exports

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)