UK to open standard institute to facilitate Indonesian exports: minister

Britain plans to open a branch of British Standard Institute in Indonesia which would pave way for Indonesian exports entering European market, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said here on Wednesay.


The plan was announced by Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward, who has been in a visit to Indonesia on April 5-7.


The minister said that with the presence of the institute, Indonesia could adjust the quality of some of its main export products, such as palm oil, for entering the European market.


Britain is one of the biggest investors in Indonesia.


"Standard of product is important to enter Europe. We have sought the way to measure the quality since two to three years ago and now they plan to open a branch here," Minister Pangestu said at the Coordinating Ministry for Economy.


"We must think on how to meet the standard and the (quality) must be boosted," she said, expecting it could boost th country's exports.


Indonesia's export to Britain was more than 12 percent of its total export value of 15.73 billion U.S. dollar.


Indonesia has struggled to fight against the Europe's accusation that the country has damaged environment in the production of palm oil products, which could hamper export of the commodity.
(Source:http://news.xinhuanet.com)