Indonesia wants to cash on European Union's decision to increase duty on products from Asian countries and for this, the country aimed to enhance footwear exports to US $8 billion by 2008, said Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu.
To reach this new mark, the Ministry requested footwear industries to increase investment in supporting sectors like raw material, added Pangestu.
At the same time, Indonesian Footwear Industries Association (Aprisindo) has also targeted to raise exports to 1.95 billion dollars this year, said Harijanto, Chairman, Aprisindo.
However, Harijanto said that if government would support the industry, it would easily acquire related materials as materials are very important in footwear.
Moreover, government help would be a welcome boon for Aprisindo in optimizing utilities of market opportunities in European Union, said Harijanto.
Indonesia's footwear export valued at estimated $1.5 billion in 2005 and is expected to climb to $1.7 - $1.8 billion this year.
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