Coal firm looks abroad

Coal firm looks abroad

JAKARTA (JP): State coal mining company PT Tambang Batubara
Bukit Asam (BA) plans to expand its exports to United States,
Turkey, Taiwan and Europe starting early this year, Antara
reported on Saturday.

The company's production director, Tommy Isnutomo, said in
Tanjung Enim on Monday that the market expansion plan was
essential because most buyers had lowered their orders.

He said the company's exports to countries such as
Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, China and Japan had declined
lately due to the crisis.

"The crisis has affected most coal-consuming industries in
those countries, which in turn cut their orders to us due to the
weak demand," Tommy said.

He said the company exported 1.70 million tons in 1998, much
lower than the targeted 2.57 million tons.

Tommy added that the 1998's export volume was also lower than
1.80 million tons in 1997 and two million tons in 1996.

The company expects to increase coal production by 14 percent
to 12.08 million tons this year, from 10.58 million tons last
year. (02)