JAKARTA, Dec 13 Asia Pulse - The Forestry Industry Revitalization Boy (BRIK) said the country's exports of timber products are expected to increase next year after a decline in the last two successive years.

The decision of the forestry minister to raise logging quota to 8.1 million cubic meters from 4.7 million cubic meters in 2005 should boost forestry-based industries, BRIK chairman Soewarni said.

In the last two years, the country's exports of timber products declined largely because of scarcity in log raw material and falling prices of the commodity in the world market.

The country's exports of plywood totaled 6.18 million cubic meters in 2004 valued at 1.24 billion down from US$2.33 billion in 2003. In 1996/1997, exports totaled 10 million cubic meters.

In the first 10 months of this year exports of plywood totaled only 4.42 million cubic meters.

Exports of woodwork totaled 2.98 million cubic meters in 2004 and in the first 10 months of this year export of that commodity totaled 2.39 million cubic meters valued at US$2.33 billion.