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Kalbe eyes higher growth on the back of economic recovery
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Publicly listed pharmaceutical manufacturer Kalbe Farma Tbk has announced a sales target of Rp 20 trillion (US$1.5 billion) this year, a 12 percent rise from Rp 17.8 trillion last year. (Kontan/Daniel Prabowo)
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span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">After seeing slower growth as a result of people's weaker purchasing power last year, publicly listed pharmaceutical and nutrition manufacturer Kalbe Farma Tbk has optimistically set a double-digit growth target this year.
The owner of 400 medicine brands and almost 100 health and nutritional food and beverage brands announced a sales target of Rp 19.2 trillion to Rp 19.58 trillion (US$1.4 billion) this year, an eight percent to 10 percent rise from Rp 17.8 trillion last year.
“We have seen better sales so far this year and hope to see that maintained along the year,” Kalbe corporate secretary Vidjongtius told the press during a media briefing in East Jakarta on Tuesday.
In a bid to reach the target, he continued, Kalbe would launch a direct marketing approach to ensure a better reach in the local market.
“We use an approach that involves a direct in-touch with the customers, such as directly selling our Hydrococo coconut water at futsal tournaments, or milk to mothers at Posyandu [integrated community health centers],” he said.
With the government’s measures to boost the economy, by deregulation and a lower benchmark interest rate among others, Kalbe hopes to see a stable rupiah, as the firm has to import 90 percent of its raw materials.
For January to March, the firm booked a 7 percent increase in sales to Rp 4.5 trillion. The first quarter net profit, meanwhile, rose by 6.6 percent to Rp 563.2 billion. (ags)
