Noodle exports promising

JAKARTA (JP): The dumping charges by Australia will not affect the prospects of Indonesia's instant noodle exports, an exporter said here yesterday.

"Despite the dumping issue, the demand from European, Middle East and ASEAN countries for instant noodles continues to increase," said Bachtiar Yusuf, president of PT Jakarana Tama, a producer of instant noodles.

Australian businessmen recently accused Indonesia of dumping its noodles on the Australian market.

He added that the prices of Indonesia's instant noodles are cheaper than Australia's.

"Indonesia's noodle production cost is low because of low-cost labor," he said during the launching of a new product called Noogetti.

Bachtiar said Indonesia's market demand for instant noodles was six billion sacks worth Rp 1.5 trillion (US$674 million) last year. (01)