Manado (ANTARA News) - North Sulawesi exported 12.7 tons of coconut flour to Finland in early February resulting in foreign exchange earnings of 26,875 US dollars, a local trade official said.

The export to Finland was the result of efforts to diversify Indonesia`s export destinations in accordance with the government`s policy to expand the country`s exports to non-traditional markets, said Sanny Parengkuan, head of North Sulawesi`s trade and industry office, here Wednesday.

"The global economy is sill fraught with uncertainties and therefore we have to optimize our export market diversification efforts," he said.

The head of the office`s foreign trade section, Hanny Wajong, said North Sulawesi`s exports to Finland were expected to increase in the future.

"Coconut flour is a food component needed by many countries, including Finland and therefore, we are optimistic export of the commodity is to keep rising," he said, adding the good quality of North Sulawesi coconut flour was already known internationally. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2012