Exports of medicinal herbs

Exports of medicinal herbs

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's export of medicinal herbs, which has
been steadily increasing, has room to increase even more, the
acting chairman of the National Agency for Export Development
said yesterday.

"Exports of medicinal herbs steadily increased from US$1.7
million in 1990 to $3.8 million in 1994," Arifin Lumban Gaol said
at a ceremony for the installation of the board members of the
newly established Association of Indonesian Producers and
Exporters of Medicinal Plants here.

Hartono Candra of PT Aneka Karya Estetika and Bambang Hartono
of C.V. Sumber Kencana were appointed as chairman and vice
chairman of the association respectively, while Lie Kiang Lok and
Shinta were appointed as secretary and treasurer.

Arifin said that the Indonesian trade promotion centers and
the country's trade attaches in various countries are ready to
help medical herb exporters find potential buyers and provide
market information for them.

Data from the Ministry of Trade shows that Indonesia, which
exports only a few kinds of medicinal herbs from its existing 265
varieties, ranks 39th among 107 suppliers of medicinal plants.
The plants include licorice roots, ginseng, garro wood, patchouli
leaves, temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhizae), cubeb pepper, Kumis
kucing (Orthosiphonis folium), cassia fistula and coca leaves.
(kod)