The trend of exporting agricultural commodities in the Karimun Regency, Riau Islands, has increased by 30 percent throughout 2021. Agricultural commodities are still the prima donna sector and provide the largest contribution to foreign exchange, amounting to 1.4 trillion this year. "The export trend in the last semester compared to 2020 increased by 30 percent. This means that the economic movement has started to run," said Head of the Special Region of the Riau Islands DJBC, Ahmad Rofiq, after the release of combined exports in Moro District, Monday (27/12).
According to him, this condition will be very good to support the economic election program after the COVID-19 pandemic situation. "This is part of the solution to solving the problem of our economic recovery during the current pandemic. In this situation, we are one step ahead of how to export for a better Karimun economy," he said. At least some agricultural commodities have export markets from Karimun, including coconut meat, mangrove bark, to a maritime potential such as crackers and fresh fish. The export destination countries include Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and China.
Meanwhile, Deputy Regent of Karimun, Anwar Hasyim, revealed that export activities are one of the keys to improving the current economic situation. According to Anwar, exports will greatly encourage the business world, both in the regional and national sectors. "Regional and national businesses are the backbone of a healthy and dynamic economy. So that in this export activity, we can be more competitive in the global market," he said.
He admitted, during the special pandemic period in 2020, Karimun's economic growth even slowed to minus 3.87 percent. "One of the factors is the decline in the value of exports and the increase in the value of imports during the pandemic," said Anwar. For this reason, the development of export potential in Karimun still needs to be improved so that it can be in line with national and regional economic recovery programs. "Moreover, Karimun has 4 export-import ports. The potential for this population and export opportunities is certainly a value in itself, to increase export activities. So we must be able to see greater potential," he concluded.
