The province's Head of Trade and Industry Office Aster Bonawaty in Palangka Raya, on Sunday, said that the provincial government is ready to expand the export market of various products by small and medium industries (SMIs), including to countries in Southeast Asia.
"Central Kalimantan exports do not solely rely on natural resources products, such as palm oil and coal and their respective derivative products. Today, our SMIs, micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs), and creative economy have managed to produce commodities that can reach the export markets," she affirmed.
Currently, Indonesia holds the chairmanship of ASEAN, and it has adopted the theme of "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth" to reflect its goal of making ASEAN important and relevant as the world's growth center.
At the 42nd ASEAN Summit from May 9–11 in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, the bloc's leaders produced a number of important documents and statements, including the Declaration on Advancing Regional Payment Connectivity and Promoting Local Currency Transactions and the ASEAN Leaders' Joint Statement on the Development of the ASEAN Community's Post-2025 Vision.
Since 2017, the province's main export commodities include mineral fuel, animal or vegetable fat and oil, ores, metal ashes, jewelry, wood and wooden products, foods, and other products.
Central Kalimantan has set several countries as its main export targets, such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, China, India, South Korea, and Kenya.
During 2017-2022, the province's balance of trade had shown positive trends with a surplus that remained uninterrupted during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The balance of trade was recorded at US$1,725.99 in 2017, US$1,677.29 in 2018, US $2,099.40 in 2019, US$3,050.82 in 2021, and US$5,291.17 in 2022 (as of November).
"The provincial government continues to push for export range expansion for regional products, by focusing not only on facilitating the markets through the agenda of international-level exhibitions, but also on conducting coaching and capacity-building activities for business actors so that they can produce commodities of a more competitive quality," she pointed out
In order to stimulate economic growth, she added, the positive policies produced during the ASEAN Summit should be implemented in tandem with the national programs of Proud of Indonesia-Made Products National Movement (Gernas BBI) and the Proud of Indonesian Tourism (BBWI).
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Translator: Muhammad Arif, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Sri Haryati
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