Rapid Recovery

Of Indonesian Trade

HONGKONG, April 20.

EXPORTS from Indonesia, in 1948, will be almost triple last year’s exports, the Far Eastern Economic Review reports. (The following figures are United States dollars).

Shipments in the current year are ex pected to approximate U 55350,000,000, as against $125,000,000 in 1947, according to the Review.

The publication said rubber exports in 1948 will be 250,000 tons, valued at $120,000,000 and in 1949 will reach 350,000 tons. Tin production will be 35,040,000 tons, valued at $80,000,000, .which the Review said is “Near pre-war produc tion.”

In the current year, petroleum, copra and black pepper would reach 50 per cent, of prewar production, the Review said. Copra production this year was given as 250,000 tons, and palm oil as 60,000 tons, rising to 200,000 in 1949.

Only about five per cent, of pre-war white pepper is available at the present time, but black pepper shipments this year would be 8-9,000 tons.

Tin mining already has reached hall it prewar output, and by 1950 should again be at the 1939 level of 50,000 tons, the Review said.

The production of bauxite also ,has considerably imoroved during the past year. An initial shipment of 8,000 tons has been made to Japan which contracted for a total of 100,000 tons some time ago.

“Since the end of last year the eco nomic position of Indonesia has ameli orated to a large degree,” the publication declared. “It can be paying its way in three years and within five years should be in a position to reduce its debt com mitments.”