Businessman named as honorary consul

SURABAYA: Leading businessman Alim Markus, president of Maspion Group, has been appointed as honorary consul for Canada by Prime Minister Jean Chretien, according to a press release by his company.

Canadian Ambassador Laurence T. Dickenson installed Alim for the posting and at the same time inaugurated the Canadian consulate office in Surabaya, located on the third floor of the building housing the Maspion Group headquarters.

The honor was given largely because of Alim's success in exporting to Canada, according to the press statement, which also pointed out that East Java each year exports at least $29 million worth of exports, including textile, shoes and other commodities.

Maspion Group, which produces household utensils, exports around Rp 9 billion ($4 million) to Canada each year. (emb)