“The government appreciates businessmen who are still enthusiastic about increasing their exports in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, as did PT Ori Ginalnest Indonesia and PT Alpha Gemilang Sejahtera,” he remarked.
PT Ori Ginalnest Indonesia’s export consignment to the People's Republic of China (PRC) comprised swallow's nests worth Rp24.29 billion, while PT Alpha Gemilang Sejahtera shipped cassava-based products worth Rp3 billion to South Korea.
President Joko Widodo is paying more attention to increasing exports as it could boost foreign exchange earnings, help retain workers, and introduce Indonesian products, including those produced by MSMEs, to other markets, Sambuaga said.
"The most encouraging thing is that Indonesia's first foreign trade balance is today (Saturday, red) a surplus of US$13.5 billion. It could still be a surplus amid the COVID-19 pandemic," he pointed out.
North Sumatra has made a large contribution to the total value of Indonesia's exports, he remarked.
The Governor of North Sumatra, Edy Rahmayadi, said the provincial government is ready to assist exporters, especially MSMEs.
"As the Governor of North Sumatra, I am ready to help entrepreneurs, including responding to complaints of cassava processed product entrepreneurs about limited land for planting cassava," he added.
PT Ori Ginalnest Indonesia CEO Rusianah said swallow's nest is one of the commodities whose exports have not been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The export volume of Ori Ginalnest Indonesia until October, 2020 was 28 tons, compared to 26.6 tons in 2019," he said.
President director of PT Alpha Gemilang Sejahtera, Ujiana Sianturi, said the demand for cassava products is quite good, especially from Malaysia and South Korea.
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Translator: Evalisa Siregar, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
