Rattan should be introduced here."Kiev (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government will encourage diversification of products for export to Ukraine, as the country`s crude palm oil (CPO) exports to the European state account 50 percent currently.
"Around 50 percent of Indonesia`s exports to Ukraine is CPO," the Indonesian trade ministry`s Director General for National Export Development (PEN) Gusmardi Bustami said here on Friday.
The total value of Indonesia`s exports to Ukraine reached US$548.9 million last year, and more than US$200 million was from CPO exports.
"The rest included exports of textiles and textile products, shoes, sportswear, and forestry products. We need to diversity our products for export to this country," he said.
He said having GDP per capita at US$7,500 and population of about 45 million, Ukraine is potential market for Indonesian products.
"Rattan should be introduced here," Bustami said.
Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan planned to write letters to Indonesian envoys overseas to promote the country`s rattan products, he said.
Indonesia suffers a deficit in its bilateral trade with Ukraine at present.
The total value of the bilateral trade between Indonesia an Ukraine in 2012 reached US$1.322 billion, while Indonesia`s exports were worth US$548.9 million only and its imports from Ukraine were around US$774 million.
"Majority of Indonesia`s imports from Ukraine are scrap, steel, and machinery products," he added.
Indonesian Ambassador to Ukraine Niniek Kun Naryati said among ASEAN member nations, Indonesia is the largest exporter to Ukraine.
"However, Vietnam and Thailand almost catch up with us," she added.
The Indonesian embassy in Kiev has organized trade and tourism promotion called "Window to Indonesia" to introduce among other things the country`s products, culinary and culture to the Ukrainian people, according to Ambassador Naryati.
(Uu.F001)
Reporter: Risbiani Fardaniah
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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