Export prospects 2009 worrying

The Kompas Daily-Benny Wahyudi, Director General for Agro and Chemical at Department of Industry, is worried about the export prospects of wood industries in 2009 since he viewed the industry had been fluctuating for the last three years. According to him, the fluctuation has been caused by prolonged basic material shortage, limited financing, and tight competition in both domestic and foreign markets. According to database of Department of Industry, volume of wood furniture production had declined from 2.48 million m³ in 2004 to 2.26 million m³. Meanwhile, export volume of the industry tends to fluctuate. In 2006, export volume of wood furniture was 1.59 million tons, declining 3.1% as compared to 2005 which was 1.64 million tons. In 2007, the export volume became 1.60 million tons. However, the export value tends to rise, from US$1.99 billion in 2005 to US$2.17 billion in 2007.