Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Bali enjoyed a strong growth of exports in the first semester this year with a value of 320 million U.S. dollars, an increase of 21 percent compared to the same period of last year.
"Handicraft products from our light industry are still strongly sought after in the export market," Putu Bagiada, head of the Bali industry and trade office said Friday. He was referring to the substantial growth in exports of Bali's light industries to the better economic climate in Europe and the U.S.
Exports of various kinds of handicraft items in the January-July period, he added, were valued at 139 million U.S. dollars, an increase of 26 percent from the 110 million U.S. dollars during the same period of last year.
The positive tendency in Bali's export performance during the first semester of 2010 also occurred in the export of garments, canned fish and plastic items reaching 112.5 million U.S. dollars, a 25 percent hike compared to the 89.8 million U.S. dollars during the January-July 2009 period.
A rather weak growth in exports occurred in fresh marine products, such as tuna, valued at 65.5 million U.S. dollars during the period, a slight increase of 4.8 percent from 62.5 million U.S. dollars last year.
Exports of agricultural products, especially vanilla and the renowned Balinese coffee, reached 592,600 U.S. dollars, an increase of 24,2 percent compared to 447,000 U.S. dollars.
Exports from Bali are expected to grow further in the second semester in few of the positive economic situation in world major export markets, Bagiada said.(*)
Bali Enjoys a Strong Export Growth
Jumat, 17 September 2010 18:44 WIB