TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Mataram Fish Quarantine and Quality Control Center (BKIPM) recorded that the export value of sea pearls from West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) to various countries reached Rp82.35 billion in 2021, a surge of 835.83 percent compared to the previous year of Rp8.79 billion.

According to the agency, the high increase in the export value was attributable to the hike in export destination countries in line with the relatively improving global economic conditions albeit amid the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

“Demand for NTB’s sea pearls from various countries rises in 2021 compared to the previous year. Even in early 2022, there were many shipments to foreign countries,” said Head of Mataram BKIPM Obing H.A in Mataram, Sunday, January 23.

He outlined that the export destinations in 2021 included Australia worth Rp78.63 billion, China (Rp745.23 million), Hong Kong (Rp2.66 billion), India (Rp279 million), Taiwan (Rp2 million), and the United States (Rp76.40 million).

In 2020, Obing went on, exports of the pearls were only to four countries, viz. Australia with the export value reaching Rp5.49 billion, Hong Kong (Rp2.93 billion), India (Rp366 million), and the United Arab Emirates (Rp8.51 million).

“NTB sea pearls do have their own quality. Hopefully, this year’s export value can even be higher than the previous year,” Obing said.

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ANTARA