Bali's Exports Up To Russia

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Bali has recorded a significant increase in exports to Russia in the first months of this year amid global slump.

Exports to Russia rose from US$98,829 in February to 270,259 in March bringing the total value of exports to that country to US$583,088 in the first quarter of this year.

Bali's exports to Russia are dominated by handicrafts, farm and plantation commodities, an official of the industry and trade office of Bali Putu Bagiada said here on Tuesday.

Exports to Western Europe and the United States have suffered a setback, but exports to Russia have been on the increase, Putu said.

Growing tourism sector contributed to the increase in the exports especially handicraft exports  from  the world's major tourist resort island, Putu said.

Growing number of foreign tourists has been recorded to have come from Russia, he said.

"Russian visitors to Bali are big spenders, and they stay longer, averaging a week in a visit," he added.

The Bali tourism office said in the first five months of the year, Russian tourists coming directly from their country to Bali totaled 38,178 or  7,635 per month, higher than the average number of 5,000 foreign visitors.

Russian tourists have ranked among ten largest in number visiting Bali. They come mainly between December and January.(*/T007)