Ships to link Kupang, Australia

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Australia's Northern Territory and East Nusa Tenggara are to open a shipping line linking Kupang and Darwin to boost trade relations between the two regions, a local official said here.

Head of the East Nusa Tenggara industry and trade ministry office Wilem Therik said Thursday the shipping service would be extend to Surabaya in East Java and Benoa in Bali. A ship will serve the route twice a month as of next March, Antara reported.

The ship is to export commodities from the province to be marketed in Australia.

Wilem said his office would soon hold a meeting with local businessmen to discuss the province's products that were in greatest demand in Australia.

He predicted that ceramics, paper, leather and bamboo furniture would have good market prospects down under.