Heaptalk, Sambas – On Monday (26/02) through a written press release, the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) reported an export increase at the Aruk Cross-Border Post (PLBN) in Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan (Kalbar) in 2023 up to USD1,3 million (USD1 equals Rp15,659).
“In 2023, the accumulated export value through Aruk PLBN surpassed the 2022’s record to USD990 thousand (USD1 equals Rp15,659),” explained BNPP.
Primary products that are able to improve exports are still mainly from agriculture sectors, such as bananas, round coconuts, watermelon, dragon fruit, pumpkin oranges, durian, sweet potatoes, snake fruit and petai. In addition to that there are also fishery products namely mackerel fish, squid grouper, dogol shrimp and wangkang shrimp.
Head of Aruk PLBN, Wendelinus Fanu stated that the 2023 export leap is still being dominated by agriculture sectors.
That happened because of the high demand from Malaysia regarding premium agricultural goods.
“The exported coconuts we have sent to Malaysia is around 591,310 kilogram. As well as bananas for 875,075 kilograms,” Wendel explained.
Regarding the high demand from another sector, such as fishery, Wendel stated, “This poses a big potential that can be utilized to improve local’s economy.”
Through this achievement, Wendel continued, it is hoped to prompt local government at the border as well as MSMEs to develop exemplary commodity in the area.
Wendel also seek for export attractiveness through Aruk PLBN be responded by export actors by increasing export volume and value to Malaysia to enhance competitiveness.
“Diharapkan agar masyarakat benar-benar memanfaatkan PLBN sebagai pintu ekspor untuk memperluas pasar ke wilayah Sarawak, “terangnya lagi.
“Hopefully, publics will utilize PLBN as the opportunity for exports to expand the market to Sarawak,” he emphasized.
According to Robby as the exporter, the kinds that Malaysia puts interest is in 5 commodities, namely mackerel fish, grouper fish, pomfret fish, squid and wangkang shrimp and dogol shrimp.
He also hopes for a bigger demolition site at the state gate, Zero Point PLBN Aruk, and more workers for loading and unloading goods.
This is to prepare for delays in delivering goods caused by high demand for exports and a lack of workers for loading and unloading.
“So, it needs a relatively longer time while cars from Malaysia are ready for offloading exports,” he concluded
Editorial team: Prazna Alyfia Ghefira
