INDONESIA NEEDS TO GLOBALLY PROMOTE ITS PEARL INDUSTRY

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 27 (Antara) - Indonesia, one of the largest pearl producers, needs to further promote its pearl potential throughout the world, so that it can gain maximum benefits from the commodity.          "Indonesia has become the biggest South Sea pearl producer since 2005. It has controlled 50 percent of the world's pearl production. Its export value has reached US$29 million," stated Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sharif C. Sutardjo.          Even though Indonesia is the world's biggest producer, its pearl industry has not yet been able to dominate the world's pearl market. Sutardjo noted that the Indonesian South Sea Pearl (ISSP) was yet to become popular in the world market, even though it has a very high economic potential.          The Indonesian pearl has an incredible economical potential, and Indonesia is already the world's largest producer of South Sea Pearl (SSP), but the fact remains that the commodity is not extensively known in the international pearl market.          Therefore, the government will hold an Indonesian Pearl Festival (IPF) to showcase its pearl potential to businesses.