Cable exports on the rise

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian cable manufacturers association (Apkabel) said on Tuesday that cable exports had been steadily increasing the last six years due to a slump in domestic demands.

Apkabel secretary-general Toto A. Sukatendel said domestic demand for cables currently only utilized 20 percent of the 445,090 metric ton a year production capacity from some 32 cable manufacturers.

"The slump in domestic demand for cables has forced producers to sell their products abroad," Toto was quoted by Antara as saying.

Toto said last year cable exports reached US$343.3 million compared to $272.01 million in 1999, $224.01 million in 1998, $182.12 million in 1997 and $143.19 million in 1996.

Meanwhile, cable imports declined to $63.48 million last year, compared to $68.15 million in 1999 and $138.28 million in 1998, he added.

Toto expected domestic demand for cables to increase when companies such as state-owned electricity company PT PLN and telecommunications company PT Telkom began their infrastructure constructions.

To help its members find new markets abroad, Apkabel plans to participate in the biannual trade exhibition Wire and Tube Singapore between Sept. 25 and Sept. 27.

At least 300 companies from 30 countries would participate in the exhibition in Singapore including companies from Austria, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Russia, Spain, Taiwan and the United States.

The association is also planning to participate in the Wire 2002 exhibition to be held in Dusseldorf, Germany, between April 8 and April 12, Toto said.(tnt)