Padang, W. Sumatra, Aug 16 (Antaranews Sumbar) - The West Sumatra branch of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) said exports by the province shot up 41.84 percent to US$153.46 million in July from US$108.19 million in the previous month.

            "Increases were recorded in the exports of palm oil , rubber and rubber goods," head of the West Sumatra BPS  Sukardi said here on Thursday. '   
       Sukardi said the main countries of destination for exports from West Sumatra are India, Singapore and the United States.

           Exports to India accounted for the largest valued at US$38.6 million or 26.47 percent , followed by exports to Singapore valued at US$30.48 million  and to the Unites States valued at US$26.6 million.

           Sukardi said exports of manufactured goods  rose 47.36 percent in July from the previous month.

           Meanwhile, imports by the province  in July reached US$47.36 million  or down 4.7 percent  from US$49.7 million in Jule in 2018.

           Import commodities were mainly oil fuel, carton paper. and waste of food industry 
      Earlier, Bank Indonesia said synergy between related agencies are needed to boost exports from West Sumatra to take advantage of the rise in  world economic growth  and improved market of a number of strategic commodities.

           West Sumatra is still vulnerable to a decline in  export as it relies more only on palm oil and rubber . Wider diversification of commodities is needed, Bank Indonesia said .

           "This is a good momentum to increase synergy to boost exports," head of the representative office of Bank Indonesia in West Sumatra  Endy Dwi Tjahjono said.

           Endy said West Sumatra's oil palm plantations,  also needs replanting as many of the oil palm trees have been too old and no longer productive, adding improvement in productivity is needed to maintain or increase level of production as lands are not easily available for expansion.

           He said West Sumatra also needs to develop downstream industry  to sustain palm oil sector. The province has only crude palm oil (CPO)  processing  industry . Downstream industry should be developed to increase added value of the industry, he said.

           Vice Governor of the province Nasrul Abit said West Sumatra could also develop other commodities potential for exports such as coffee  and fishery products.

           Nasrul said West Sumatra has recorded an increase in its exports from year to year but the growing exports are not enough yet to  significantly improve the people's welfare.