Mineral ores exports to decrease this year: Govt

By Bambang Atmaja

Lower global commodity prices and the government export ban policy would lead Indonesian miners to decrease their mineral ores exports this year, Deputy Trade Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The deputy said that his ministry forecasts the exports would recover next year in line with the improvement of the global economy.

"The exports of ores ?are down this year. It is not only because of the lower price but also because of the government export restriction policy,? he told Petromindo.com at the State Palace.

But he declined to elaborate how deep the decline would be.

Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan also confirmed that the price may rebound next year as the quantitative easing policies launched by the United States and European countries may spur economic growth.

Editing by Adianto P. Simamora