Ornamental fish exports to grow 10%

The National Agency for Export Development (BPEN) projected Indonesian pet fish exports to grow 10 percent this year, citing a growing demand for the commodity.

Last year, Indonesia exported US$11.3 million-worth of fish for pets.

BPEN chairman Gusmardi Bustami said last year Indonesian pet fish imports accounted for 9 percent of the European pet fish market, 25 percent of the Singapore market and 6 percent of the United States market.

There are still ample opportunities for Indonesia to increase its share in export markets, Gusmardi said.

In order to boost the country's ornamental fish exports, Gusmardi said, BPEN would take 12 pet fish companies and two associations to participate at the International Trade Fair Pet Supplies (Interzoo 2002) in Nuremberg, Germany from May 9 to May 12. They will be provided with free stands there. -- JP