Exporters deserve to be called "heroes of development": minister
Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA News) - Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said exporters deserved to get awards as "heroes of development" for their role in activating the national economy, creating job opportunities and supporting the government`s programs to eradicate poverty.
She made the remark when opening the seventh national conference and fifth regional conference of the Indonesian Exporters Association (GPEI) here on Wednesday.
According to her, export activities were having a wide-ranging impact on the country`s economy and other sectors of life.
The value of Indonesia`s non-oil/non-gas exports in 2006 stood at US$100 billion and the figure was expected to continue to rise in the years to come.
The national export growth target for 2007, she said, had been set at three possible levels. The lowest level was about eight percent, the optimistic level at 14.5 percent and the most optimistic level at 20 percent.
To reach the target, hard work and coordination among relevant parties needed to be done. "Even external and internal obstacles are standing ahead, there is also a power that can generate the growth of export and perspective markets," the minister said.
East Java Governor Imam Utomo who was present on the occasion also said the role of non-oil/non-gas exports was significant and strategic in activating the regional and national economies.
East Java`s non-oil/non-gas exports were increasing steadily although since May 2006 they were being hampered by the Lapindo hot mudflow in Sidoarjo.
Last year, the province`s non oil/non-gas exports were recorded at US9.2 billion, an increase of about 23.7 percent compared to that in 2005, while in the first quarter of 2007 the export value had reached US$2.42 billion.
To enhance the exports, it was important to bring about synergy among all the relevant parties including the besiness world, the government and others, he said.(*)
She made the remark when opening the seventh national conference and fifth regional conference of the Indonesian Exporters Association (GPEI) here on Wednesday.
According to her, export activities were having a wide-ranging impact on the country`s economy and other sectors of life.
The value of Indonesia`s non-oil/non-gas exports in 2006 stood at US$100 billion and the figure was expected to continue to rise in the years to come.
The national export growth target for 2007, she said, had been set at three possible levels. The lowest level was about eight percent, the optimistic level at 14.5 percent and the most optimistic level at 20 percent.
To reach the target, hard work and coordination among relevant parties needed to be done. "Even external and internal obstacles are standing ahead, there is also a power that can generate the growth of export and perspective markets," the minister said.
East Java Governor Imam Utomo who was present on the occasion also said the role of non-oil/non-gas exports was significant and strategic in activating the regional and national economies.
East Java`s non-oil/non-gas exports were increasing steadily although since May 2006 they were being hampered by the Lapindo hot mudflow in Sidoarjo.
Last year, the province`s non oil/non-gas exports were recorded at US9.2 billion, an increase of about 23.7 percent compared to that in 2005, while in the first quarter of 2007 the export value had reached US$2.42 billion.
To enhance the exports, it was important to bring about synergy among all the relevant parties including the besiness world, the government and others, he said.(*)