Coal boosts RI non-oil, gas exports

Coal boosts RI non-oil, gas exports

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The robust demand for coal in the global market is one of the
main driver's behind a 79.53 percent jump in the nation's first
two-month non-oil and gas exports, a Central Statistics Agency
(BPS) official said.

As stated in the latest BPS report, non-oil and gas exports
rose in 2004 to US$9.95 billion as compared to $7.61 billion
posted in the corresponding period last year.

Overall, the mining sector saw its exports rise by 142 percent
to $1.08 billion in the January-February period from $444.4
million in the same period last year, said BPS exports statistic
subdirectorate head Dantes Simbolon on Monday.

"The main driver in the mining sector was coal. As oil prices
soared to above $50 per barrel, countries were seeking cheaper
alternative energy sources. They then turned to coal," Dantes
said.

Coal exports almost doubled from $357.5 million in January-
February last year to $711 million this year.

The increasing demand for coal started last year and it would
very likely continue this year, Dantes added.

"Although it might be too soon to predict at this time of
year, the first two months exports show promising prospects for
coal, along with other mining products," he said.

Other than coal, exports of ores, slag and ash also showed an
impressive performance to reach $374.8 million in the first two
months of the year or about triple last year's $88 million in the
same period.

Indonesia exported 105.63 million tons of coal worth $2.75
billion last year compared to the previous year's 89.02 million
tons worth $1.98 billion.

RI top coal export markets in 2004*

Countries Net weight Value

(million tons) (US$ million)

Japan 20,072 590.85

South Korea 10,441 253.02

Taiwan 15,525 443.61

Hong Kong 6,066 151.27

India 7,378 150.02

Malaysia 5,161 135.67

Note: Only exports on bituminous coal

Source: Central Statistics Agency