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)