"Even though the impact of the disaster (on our exports to Japan) is still not significantly visible Indonesian businessmen need to seek other export markets than Japan pending the recovery of the country`s economy (from the disaster)," Subagyo, assistant for export promotion to the trade minister, said on the sidelines of entrepreneurship training for micro, small and medium businesses here on Wednesday.
The impact was still not visible as the tsunami occurred only one week ago, he said.
The trade ministry kept consolidating with the Japanese trade authorities through the Indonesian trade attache in Japan, he said without elaborating.
Japan was the main market for the Indonesian commodities, such as electronics, garments, and wood, rattan and bamboo handicraft goods, he said.
Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) show Japan was listed as the biggest market for Indonesia`s non-oil/non-gas commodities last year with a value of US$16.5 billion, or 12.72 percent of the overall non-oil/non-gas exports.
Subagyo said the overseas market for Indonesian exports other than Japan was still widely open, including Asia for electronic and automotive products, Europe for automotive spare parts, and America for garments.
(Uu.S012/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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