Nine RI Commodities Enter Free Asean Market

Bandung (Antara Bali) - Industry Minister MS Hidayat  said nine Indonesian commodities are ready to enter and compete in free ASEAN market in 2015.

Indonesia is more competitive in the market of the nine commodities  over other ASEAN member countries, Hidayat told a workshop here on Thursday evening.

The nine commodities ,  dominated by agribusiness products, include crude palm oil (CPO), cacao,  and rubbers; fish and processed fish products,  textiles and textile products; footwear, leather and leather products; and furniture.

"They will be given the priority to enter the ASEAN market  as they  are higher in competitiveness," Hidayat said.

Other commodities with relatively strong competitiveness are food and beverages, fertilizer  and petrochemicals, machines  and equipment, basic metals, steel and iron.  
   
Meanwhile, a  number of industrial commodities though relatively competitive still need to strengthen their domestic  market foothold  facing the threat from cheaper imported products from other countries such as China, Hidayat said. (*/DWA)