Indofood profits up 15%

JAKARTA: Publicly listed instant noodle giant PT Indofood Sukses Makmur said its consolidated net profit increased by 15 percent to Rp 746.3 billion (US$73.1 million) in 2001 from Rp 646.2 billion a year earlier.

Indofood said in statement issued on Sunday that sales also rose by 15 percent to Rp 14.6 trillion last year from Rp 12.7 trillion in 2000.

Indofood president Eva Riyanti Hutapea said the sales growth was attributed to higher sales in three divisions including noodles, edible oil and fats, flour, which surged between 10 percent and 62 percent last year compared to the previous year.

She also said Indofood had repaid $200 million of its debts last year, making its outstanding debts currently stand at Rp 5.8 trillion. --JP