The Indonesian government expects a 20 percent growth target for exports this year despite a weakening global economy and internal problems, including the high cost of doing business in Jakarta.

"We will stick by the target set by the president despite the slowing down of the world economy and some internal factors," Vice President Jusuf Kalla was quoted Tuesday by English daily The Jakarta Post as saying.

Kalla insisted that the 20 percent target could still be attained given remarkable export growth last year, when exports hit a new record at slightly more than 100 billion dollars, or 19. 7 percent higher than in 2005.

"We realize there are problems, like the overall state of our infrastructure, bureaucratic issues, concerns related to our image, energy supplies, etc. However, progress is now being made," Kalla said after a cabinet meeting Monday.

"The financial situation is no longer an issue. We need to improve our promotion, standardization, productivity and coordination, which will have to be done jointly with business players and the banks."

In order to achieve the target, the government would prioritize increased export volumes for 10 commodity groups that together accounted for 44.8 percent of last year's total export value.

Kalla said the groups in question were textiles and garments, electronics, shoes and footwear, automotive spare parts, rubber and rubber products, furniture, and others.

Other commodities that would also receive special attention this year included coal, copper, nickel, tin, pulp and paper, plywood and alcohol.

Source: Xinhua