Indonesian coal exports set to increase in 2007: APBI

The Association of Indonesian coal producers (APBI) estimates that the country's coal exports will increase to 130 million tons in 2007 from about 110 million tons this year, further strengthening Indonesia's position as the largest thermal coal exporter in the world, Investor Daily reported on Tuesday.

The association's chairman Jeffrey Mulyono said in Jakarta on Monday that the country's coal mostly with calorie content of between 5,000 and 5,500 kcal/kg were among the most sought coal in the world.

At present, Indonesia exports its coal to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea and Europe.

Jeffrey estimated that the world's coal price would continue to increase next year from about $45 per ton at present.

According to him, the country's exports, which reached about 87 million tons in 2004 and 90 million tons in 2005, were expected to reach 110 million tons in 2006.

The association estimates that the country's coal production would increase to 185 million tons in 2007 from about 170 million tons this year. (*)