Papua Makes Its First Direct Export to China
Jakarta. Papua shipped 100 containers of timber from Jayapura to Shanghai on Monday (10/04), in the province's first direct export to China.
Previously, shipments from Papua had go through the nearest international hub, Makassar, in South Sulawesi, bloating the time and export costs. The government has been pushing on state-owned port operators to equip more harbors with customs and quarantine facilities to boost direct exports.
"Direct exports will stimulate the region's economy. We will boost these activities, particularly in the port managed by Pelindo IV," Pelindo IV president director Doso Agung said in a statement on Tuesday.
This is the third time the operator has facilitated Papua government's timber export to China. In April 2016, Papua shipped 40 containers and in January this year 30 more. Yet both shipments had to go through Makassar.
In the next direct shipment, Pelindo IV is planning to export seaweed products to Australia.
Papua Governor Lukas Enembe said he believes the direct exports will attract investors to the province and make it become an attractive destination for trade. He also wants more commodities to be exported in the near future, including cocoa, coffee and fish products.
"I think this is an opportunity to improve the welfare of Papuans," he said.
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