JAKARTA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia exported eight containers of coated steel valued at 1.6 million U.S. dollars on Friday to Australia, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
The export event was presided over by the country's Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, and Vice President of PT Tata Metal Lestari Stephanus Koeswandi, in Purwakarta, West Java, adjacent to Jakarta.
"These exports contribute significantly to our trade balance surplus, which has persisted for 49 consecutive months," Hasan declared.
Hasan elaborated that exports to Canada and Australia could aid in diminishing Indonesia's trade deficit, as Indonesia imports substantial quantities of beef and cattle from Australia, along with wheat and soybeans from Canada.
Koeswandi mentioned that his company has been exporting coated steel to 20 countries and intends to enlarge its factory to boost productivity, with an investment projected at 1.5 trillion rupiah (approximately 91 million dollars). ■
