Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) - The value of Bali`s ceramic exports in the first quarter of 2011 was recorded at US$909,732 or an increase by 129.27 compared with that in the corresponding period a year earlier which was US$396,799.

"But in term of volumes Bali`s ceramic exports dropped 21,22 percent from 248,391 psc to 196,691 pcs," Spokesman of Bali Regional Government I Ketut Teneng said here on Wednesday.

He said that Bali`s ceramic products with different designs and ornaments had enough competitive edge and were liked by consumers in the international markets.

The Bali ceramic export items vary, including unique household ahd furniture ornaments.

Ketut also said that besides ceramic, Bali`s plaited handicraft products which reached 875,979.72 US dollars in the January-April 2011 period, increased by 120.92 pct compared to last year`s only 395,517.81 US dollars in the same period.

"The foreign exchange revenue was for the shipment of 645,892 peaces of handicraft articles in those four months, up by 59.94 pct compared to the only 403,823 pieces in last year`s same period," I Ketut Teneng said.

He said the significant increase in terms of volume and market value, and the improvement of creativity of the handicraft workers, with their various unique and interesting designs had attracted foreign consumers.

In this case Bali`s plaited products have good prospects as the foreign exchange revenue continued to increase.

The foreign exchange earnings from the shipment of similar commodities in 2010 reached 1.53 million US dollars, a decline of 23.79 pct compared to last year`s 2.42 million US dollars.

But in the last five years the foreign exchange revenue from the export of handicraft products dropped by an average of 1.37 pct.

In 2006 the foreign exchange earnings from the export of plaited commodities reached 3.04 million US dollars, a decline of 0.33 pct to 3.02 million US dollars in 2007, while in 2008 the foreign exchange earnings reached 3.52 million US dollars, and in 2009 2.42 million US dollars.
(Uu.A014/HAJM)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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