Konika sees sales growth

JAKARTA (JP): PT Perdana Bangun Pusaka, a publicly-listed distributor of photography products under the brand name Konica, said it estimates a 15 percent increase in net sales this year.

The company's president, Beng Irawan, said in a statement that the estimate was partially based on the assumption the company would be able to push down costs and freight charged by its principal.

Bangun Pusaka's net profits increased only 6 percent to Rp 2.9 billion (US$1.2 million) last year, despite a 21 percent increase in net sales to Rp 77 billion.

"The slow profit growth was due mainly to the yen appreciation against the U.S. dollar, which forced our principal to increase costs and freight, as well as tougher competition in the market which forced us to spend money on promotion," Beng said. (alo)