Niarta JasaNet launches e-market for exporters

JAKARTA (JP): PT Niarta JasaNet, a local dotcom company, launched on Wednesday indoTradeCenter.com, a B2B e-market for Indonesian exporters to meet foreign buyers through the Internet.

Niarta senior advisor Markus Straub said at the launching ceremony that indoTradeCenter.com would focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the furniture and handicraft sectors in the first year. Other products would be included later.

"Furniture and handicrafts are potential markets since they are in the top ten of Indonesian exports," he said, noting that total exports from the two sectors reached $1.2 billion in 1999.

Niarta Jasanet hoped to enlist 30 to 40 exporters in the first three months, starting with three members at the time of the service's launching, he said.

The company initially would approach buyers in Europe before covering the rest of the world, he added.

Straub was optimistic that the virtual market would be profitable after 18 to 24 months, with revenues coming from membership fees and charges for transactions and deliveries.

The market is supported by the Association of Exporters and Producers of Indonesian Handicrafts (ASEPHI), the Indonesian Furniture and Handicrafts Association (ASMINDO), the German Centre Indonesia, state surveyor company PT Sucofindo, logistics services provider PT Geologistics Indonesia Perdana, event organizer PT Mediatama Binakreasi, and Bank CIC, he said. (05)