JAKARTA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia started to export steel products in the form of welded beams to New Zealand with a volume of 1,210 metric tons worth 1.5 million U.S. dollars on Wednesday.
"Today's export to New Zealand reinforces Indonesia's position as the world's seventh-largest supplier of iron and steel products, with export values reaching 28.41 billion U.S. dollars," said Budi Santoso, minister of trade, during the export release in Bekasi.
According to the ministry, iron and steel are among Indonesia's main non-oil and gas exports, with an average growth rate of 38.79 percent over the last five years.
The ministry promotes national steel exports by fostering market growth and implementing zero percent tariffs, especially under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement scheme.
To support steel industry stakeholders, extensive trade promotions are being conducted through exhibitions, trade missions, and business-to-business matchmaking with international buyers. ■
