Govt targets $50b non-oil exports

JAKARTA (JP): The government expects the country's total non- oil exports for 1999 will be worth US$50 billion, Minister of Trade and Industry Tunky Ariwibowo said yesterday.

At a press conference here on the 1997 exhibition of Indonesian export products, Tunky said the government would meet its target by boosting exports of 15 top products.

The top products include textiles and textile products, processed wood, electronics, leather and leather products, footwear, palm oil, pulp and paper, processed foods and basic chemicals.

He said Indonesia's total exports, including oil and natural gas, were expected to reach $60 billion in 1999.

"Now our total exports are $50 billion a year, of which $10 billion is derived from oil and gas, and $40 billion from non-oil products," he said.

He said the value of oil and gas exports had stayed the same in recent years.

"We, therefore, have to source export growth from non-oil products," he said.

He said that next year, non-oil exports were expected to increase $5 billion to $45 billion, and another $5 billion to $50 billion in 1999.

"We'll remove any obstacles that stand in the way of exporting the top commodities. We'll help exporters promote their products abroad," he said.

He said that the 10 major exporters of the 15 top products were likely to get special support from the government. (bnt)