No more cement for Australia

CILACAP, Central Java (JP): The Cilacap unit of publicly listed Semen Cibinong has temporarily halted exports to Australia due to trade union boycotts in the neighboring country.

Anwar Sanusi, a spokesman for the company, said the company's exports to Australia had been disrupted by the boycotts.

Australian unions last month refused to load and unload goods destined for and originating in Indonesia in protest against Indonesia's handling of the East Timor situation.

The company has exported cement to Australia since early 1999, through Tanjung Intan Port in Cilacap, Central Java.

Based on an agreement with the port operator, Semen Cibinong could export cement through the port until March next year.

Anwar said that for this year, the company expected to export 3.3 million tons of cement to Australia, with between one and 1.4 million tons being shipped through Tanjung Intan Port. (45/03)