SHARJAH, Sept 14 Asia Pulse - Indonesia is likely to lose 50 percent ofits export potential valued between US$140 million and US$160 million toNigeria following the latter's ban on the import of 41 commodities, atrade official said.

National Export Development Agency Chief Diah Maulida, on the sidelines ofan exhibition of Indonesian products in Sharjah and the United ArabsEmirates, on Monday said the Nigerian government's ban on the import of 41commidities was one of the constraints confronting Indonesia in expandingits market in that country.

Nigeria had been the biggest importer of Indonesian products in Africa,she said.

Based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), Indonesia'sexport to Nigeria in 2003 stood at US$247.07 million or about 19.76 percent of the Indonesia's total export to 58 countries in African zone whichhas reached over US$1.25 billion.

"Nigeria is actually the biggest market for Indonesian products in Africanzone. It is still in the context of statistic, excluding such 'hand carry'business activity by Nigerians who come to Indonesia," he said.

In the meantime, Indonesian Export Development for Middle East and AfricaChief H Agus Tjahyono in February 2004, Nigerian govenment issued a newpolicy banning the import of 41 products, much of which are primaryproducts of Indonesia in that country.

The products concerned are palm oil, textile and textile products, much ofwhich are primary export products in big demand in that country's market.

Indonesia's export to Nigeria since 1999 to 2003 continued to increasewith an averaged growth of 6.06 per cent. In 1999, the export to thatcountry rose from US$205.3 million to US$236.4 million in 2000 andUS$283.03 million in 2001.

In 2002, Indonesia's export value jumped to US$293.8 million, but itdropped by 247.09 in 2003.

According to Diah, to face this problem, her side especially the trade andindustry ministry should make a coordination so as to expand the market toAfrica.

"Director General of Industrial Cooperation and International Trade incharge of making a negotiation is facing export barriers to Nigeria.However promotion of Indonesian products should remain unhampered," shesaid.

Diah also saw export barriers to non traditional countries like Africa,Middle East and South Asia, Latin American and others had to do not onlywith import regulation issued by those government, but also other matters.

(ANTARA)