Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Celebration of South Sulawesi province`s 342nd anniversary on Wednesday was among other things marked by a maiden shipment of pine sap to foreign countries, involving 72-tons of the commodity destined for India and Vietnam, a local official said.

PT Admitra Pinus Utama and PT Rakindo Makmur Utama exported 34 tons of pine sap to India and 38 tons of the commodity to Vietnam respectively , the head of South Sulawesi province`s Forestry Office, Syukri Mattinetta, said.

Syukri said South Sulawesi had previously been sending its pine sap to Tanjung Perak sea port in Surabaya, East Java, for shipment to different countries.

"Now we no longer send pine sap to Tanjung Perak, Surabaya, but to Makassar`s Soekarno-Hatta sea port for export," Syukri said.

He further said about of the 68,000 hectares of pine trees in South Sulawesi, only about 30 percent was well managed.

Pine trees in South Sulawesi are to be found in 12 districts including Gowa , Sinjai t, Maros, Bone , Enrekang Tana Toraja and Toraja Utara.

Besides pine sap, South Sulawesi had also made a maiden shipment of premium rice involving 3,000 metric tons of the staple. The province had obtained a national license to export 100,000 tons of rice.

South Sulawesi had also been exporting vegetables, fruits and premium rice to several countries including Singapore and Malaysia in 2011. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011