C. Java Textile Producers Eye Expansion in Middle East

Semarang, ANTARA JATENG - Textile producers in Central Java are keen to expand their export market to the Middle East, the Indonesian Textile Association (API) in Central Java stated.

"We already have a good demand for our exports from the Middle East countries. However, so far, they have yet to become the main export market for the Central Java textile products," chairman of API Central Java Agung Wahono said here, Friday.

Currently, the region`s main textile export market are the United States, China and Japan, which have higher export value compared to other commodities.

A data of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) showed that Central Java`s textile and textile products export in February 2017 had reached US$181.86 million.

Export value of other products such as wood and wood products during the period amounted to US$77.87 million and the value of manufactured products reached US$56.09 million.

Export to Turkey and Egypt contributed the highest value compared to other Middle East countries.

Export to Turkey in February reached US$8.08 million or some 1.96 percent of the total export from Central Java.

Export to Egypt amounted to US$5.16 million during the same period, or some 1.21 percent of the province`s total export.

"We have understood the demand trend in the Middle East countries. We hope that better trade relations with Middle East countries will enhance our export to the region," he said.