Government, industry players talk on rattan exports

The government and other stakeholders in the rattan industry are working together to analyze the supply and demand in developing a new export regulation on the commodity, the Trade Minister has said.

Indonesia prohibits raw rattan exports, but allows the export of semi-processed rattan.

The ministry is discussing the issue with downstream and upstream businesses grouped in the Indonesian Rattan Businessmen Association (Apri) and the Indonesian Furniture and Craft Association (Himki).

"Apri is calculating the supply and Himki the demand. The data will be compiled by PPI," Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said on Monday evening, referring to state-owned trading firm PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia.

"If there's a surplus, only PPI can export rattan in semi-processed form. But those who process [the rattan] can be any firm appointed by PPI," he added. (bbn)