Manado, N. Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - North Sulawesi will export coffee from Kotamobagu City to China and Italy, as demand for it is high in those countries.

"According to a plan this year, North Sulawesi will export coffee from Kotamobagu City to China and Italy," the Head of the Foreign Trade Department of Industry and Commerce of North Sulawesi, T Hasudungan Siregar, said in Manado on Wednesday.

Steps are now being taken to start the exports, he added.

"Currently, we are preparing recommendations for export. Later we will register exporters for the coffee," he said.

If once a company has exported about 200 tons of coffee for a year, it would be registered as an exporter, according to him.

He hoped that people in Kotamobagu City would take advantage of this opportunity, as presently, the market for coffee is wide open.

The community must also increase production and quality of the coffee so that if demand increases in the future, they should be able to meet it.

"Consistency is very important in exporting commodities," he said.

Currently, the Department of Industry and Commerce of North Sulawesi continues to push for the main commodity of North Sulawesi to be be marketed to different countries in the world.

This is important for generating foreign exchange for the country.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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