Indonesia permits Thai longan imports

BANGKOK, July 30 (TNA) – Thailand’s exports of fruit to Indonesia are expected to be improving following the latter’s official permission for the import of Thai longan in the second half of 2017. Malee Choklumlerd, director-general of the Commerce Ministry’s International Trade Department, said the longan export to Indonesia was previously disrupted as Idul Fitri holidays and a change in import regulations in the neighboring country delayed the process of issuing permits for local importers. However, the Indonesian authorities finally issued official permits for the importers on July, 25, she said. The move should give a boost to Thailand’s exports of fruit, particularly longan, to the neighboring market. In the first half of this year, Thailand’s exports of fresh longan to Indonesia totaled US$30.19 million, up 59.58 per cent, while the value for dried longan and canned longan was at $590,000 and $490,000, respectively. Thailand exported fruits to Indonesia totaling $34.21 million, an increase of 33.89 per cent in the first six months. (TNA)