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)