...crude palm oil (CPO), cacao, and rubbers; fish and processed fish products, textiles and textile products; footwear, leather and leather products, and furniture.
Bandung, W Java (ANTARA News) - Industry Minister MS Hidayat said nine Indonesian commodities are ready to enter and compete in free ASEAN market in 2015.

Indonesia is more competitive in the market of the nine commodities over other ASEAN member countries, Hidayat told a workshop here on Thursday evening.

The nine commodities , dominated by agribusiness products, include crude palm oil (CPO), cacao, and rubbers; fish and processed fish products, textiles and textile products; footwear, leather and leather products, and furniture.

"They will be given the priority to enter the ASEAN market as they are higher in competitiveness," Hidayat said.

Other commodities with relatively strong competitiveness are food and beverages, fertilizer and petrochemicals, machines and equipment, basic metals, steel and iron.

Meanwhile, a number of industrial commodities though relatively competitive still need to strengthen their domestic market foothold facing the threat from cheaper imported products from other countries such as China, Hidayat said.

The competitiveness of industrial commodities such as automotive products, electronic goods, cement, garments, footwear, food and beverages and furniture, still need to be improved he said.

Hidayat, however, expressed doubt about the readiness of the country to face an open competition in ASEAN in 2015 when ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is to be established.

"To be frank, I am a bit nervous, whether we are ready to face AEC in 2015," he said.

ASEAN has agreed to create free market for goods, services and investment in this regional grouping under the AEC.

Hidayat hopes full support from other related government agencies in controlling import goods, and in dealing against illicit and unhealthy trading practices such as smuggling.

He also called for support in boosting development of infrastructure that would contribute to improving the competitiveness of Indonesian commodities.

"AEC 2015 also will create market opportunity, boosting investment and form joint ventures to facilitate access to basic materials," he said.

The industry ministry will intensify socialization among industrialists including small and medium industrialists to expand entrepreneurship, he said.

Editor: Ella Syafputri
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