PapuaAround.com – The Papua Provincial Government is actively promoting the export of local flagship products to accelerate economic recovery in the region. This initiative aims to boost community income and contribute to local government revenue.
Setyo Wahyudi, Assistant for Economic Affairs and People’s Welfare at the Papua Regional Secretariat, explained that according to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), there was a significant increase in Papua’s exports in August. This has prompted the government to continue enhancing the production of flagship commodities. “We are now focusing on how to continuously improve the production of flagship commodities so that exports can take place in the future,” he stated during an interview in Jayapura on Thursday.
Although exports are currently conducted through the Tanjung Perak Port, Setyo emphasized that his office, along with related agencies, is working on improving the quality of the flagship products being shipped. He added, “Currently, exports are still being routed through Tanjung Perak Port, and we are gradually working with relevant agencies to make direct shipments to other countries.”
Currently, timber is ready for export from Papua, but other products such as coffee, cocoa beans, and fish are expected to follow soon. “We urge all regional apparatus organizations (OPD) and local government agencies (forkopimda) to collaborate in promoting the flagship commodities of Bumi Cenderawasih,” he said.
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Setyo highlighted the importance of improving product quality and increasing production, emphasizing that all parties must be prepared from upstream to downstream to ensure export success. “We are working on product improvements and increasing production, as when it comes to exports, everyone must be ready from upstream to downstream,” he reiterated, stressing the need for collaboration among agencies.
Adriana Helena Carolina, Head of BPS Papua, revealed that Papua’s exports experienced an impressive increase of 174.56 percent, reaching a total value of 9.367.27 million US dollars in August 2024, compared to 3.411.78 million dollars in July. “This is due to the types of exports in August 2024, which included both oil and non-oil exports,” she explained.
Adriana detailed that the main export components came from timber and wood products (HS44), valued at 9.046.91 million dollars. Additionally, fish and other aquatic animals (HS03) contributed 19.01 million dollars, with non-oil exports at 295.94 million dollars. “Cumulatively, Papua’s total exports from January to August 2024 reached 51.721.84 million dollars, an increase of 1007 percent compared to total exports in the same period in 2023, which amounted to 46.988.65 million dollars,” Adriana added.
With this significant increase in exports, the Papua Provincial Government is determined to maximize the potential of local flagship products. This success is expected not only to boost local revenue but also to enhance the overall welfare of the people of Papua.