Cable exports on the rise

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)