RI To Export Bananas To Singapore In 2014

Subang, West Java, Dec 6 (Antara) - Indonesia`s state-owned plantation company PTPN VIII will export bananas to Singapore from 2014, stated Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Dahlan Iskan, here on Friday. "Starting next year, we will export bananas, produced by PTPN VIII, to Singapore. Hopefully, in the coming years, we can expand exports to China and other countries," noted Dahlan, after inspecting PTPN VIII`s plantation in Subang, West Java province. Dahlan explained that the banana export to Singapore is a milestone for Indonesian tropical fruits in entering international markets. China, he added, is also a potential market country for Indonesian fruits considering its population of 1.3 billion and the high demand there. Meanwhile, the CEO of PTPN VIII Dadi Sunardi confirmed that the company will initially export bananas with a total value of US$5,455 to Singapore. "PTPN VIII is serious about developing the fruit business, apart from our core businesses in tea, rubber and palm oil plantations," he noted. Dadi added that PTPN VIII has managed 4,017 hectares of fruit plantations,growing fruits such as banana, papaya, mangosteen, avocado and durian, since 2006. Of all of these, banana plantations have had the largest share with 1,342 hectares, followed by papaya plantations. Up until October 2013, banana and papaya plantations had produced 96 tons of fruits, contributing total revenue of US$117,500 for PTPN VIII.