REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi said he is confident the country would reach its export target of US$190 billion this year despite slowdown in the first half of the year.

Exports in the first six months of the year were valued only at US$88.8 billion or 2.5 percent fell short of the target.

Lutfi said there would be improvement in the export performance in the second half of the year with relaxation in the implementation of coal and mineral law, which bans exports of unprocessed minerals.

He said five mining companies including PT Freeport Indonesia, the country's largest copper and gold producer have been alloed to resume exports of minerals.

Earlier the US company, which has large copper and gold mines in Papua, said it already started exporting copper concentrate.

Lufti said mineral exports by the five companies would add at least US$2 billion to the country's export value this year.

He noted increases were already recorded in exports to a number of countries in the first six mo9nths of the year such as to Singapore, the United States, Britain and Italy .

"Declines, however, were also recorded such as exports to Japan down 16 percent and to China shrinking 13.4 percent," he said.

Based on data the trade ministry exports to a number of potential trading partners increased such as to Australia growing 40 percent, the United Arab Emirate up 69.4 percent and South Africa rising 101.7 percent.

Increases were recorded in the exports of chemicals, manufactured foods, and automotive products.

Declines were recorded in the exports of textiles and textile products, electronic goods,, coffee, and fish.

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