Exporters target ASEAN markets

JAKARTA (JP): Exporters in Asia, Australia and New Zealand will target members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as main export destinations for at least one year, a survey concluded.

"Over the next 12 months, ASEAN countries are perceived to be a growth area for exports by at least 40 percent of exporters in seven of 15 countries surveyed," the survey said.

The survey, which was commissioned by parcel delivery company DHL Worldwide Express and conducted by the Gallup Organization from Jan. 9 to Jan. 16, was reported in the Asian Quarterly Export Indicator over the weekend.

The organization said some 1,125 executives of a number of big exporters in 15 countries had been polled. The 15 countries include Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

According to the survey, ASEAN countries were cited as the export markets which experienced the best growth in the last 12 months.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It is expected to admit Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar as new members in the middle of this year.

The survey concluded that most of the exporters cited cost and trade atmosphere as the most important factors affecting sales.

Three in five Japanese respondents said the yen exchange rate would play a large role.

The survey also said big exporters would expand their shares in other countries of Asia and Europe.

India, China, and Vietnam were rated as the most difficult countries for initiation of trade, and Hong Kong and Singapore the easiest.

For Indonesia, Thailand is regarded the easiest country for trade initiation, while India is the most difficult.

It said 39 percent of Indonesian exporters saw Australia and New Zealand as the most developed markets for their products.

Most Asian exporters feel there will be no significant change in Hong Kong after it is returned to China on July. 1. They also believe economy and business in Hong Kong will remain the same or improve. (bnt)